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Small art in big numbers at Parkersburg Art Center

Dorsey Northrup of Vienna is spearheading an exciting art exhibit and sale that begins next month at the Parkersburg Art Center.

The individual artwork in the exhibit will be small — six inches by six inches — but the number of pieces for sale will be large — at least 2,300.

The idea for “PAC 6×6: The Next Small Thing in Art” arose out of a desire to hold more art center fundraisers related to art, said Northrup, project chairwoman. “We have hosted many fun parties but wanted to have an event that was more art related,” she said.

Northrup and others have been recruiting artists to create and donate a 6×6 work of art, any medium, 2-D or 3-D.

People from 37 states and four foreign countries have contributed artwork so far — and more flat canvas panels for creating artwork are available at the Parkersburg Art Center.

The 6x6s will be on display at the art center Nov. 8-11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no admission charge for the 6×6 artists, art center members and children under 12 to preview the artwork, while the charge for non-members is $2.

The 6×6 artwork sale will be Sunday, Nov. 12 from 2-5 p.m., after another preview from 1-2 p.m. None of the artwork will be sold during the preview period.

Most of the individual artwork will be sold for $20, except in a few cases when the artist requests a higher price, Northrup said.

Northrup is pleased with the response to this new fundraiser at the Parkersburg Art Center.

“The original, published goal was to hit 1,000 6×6 donations, but our secret goal was to hit 2017,” Northrup said. “We have met that and are sailing toward 2,500. The support has been unbelievable.”

Local and statewide artists groups were approached and have sent in hundreds of 6x6s.

Area college, high school and homeschool art teachers have created 6x6s and asked their students to do so.

A group of special needs artists from SW Resources has brought in some splendid artwork, Northrup said.

Betty Ulrey, 98, of Pennsylvania, one of the founders of the Parkersburg Art Center, painted six watercolors for the fundraiser and mailed them to Parkersburg.

An artist in Cuba who Northrup had met has contributed two paintings for the exhibit/sale.

Photographers, arts and crafts hobbyists, interior designers and quilters have created 6×6 works for the art center. More than 800 artists are expected to contribute.

Art center friends will be using their baking skills to fill “Edible 6×6” treat boxes for the Nov.12 sale, Northrup said. About 100 “confectionery artists” are providing cookies, peanut brittle, baklava and other sweets.

Remaining artwork will be displayed for sale from Nov. 21-Dec. 31.

All proceeds will be used to develop the arts activities available for people of all ages at the art center.

***

Tere Clegg was able to fill 122 boxes with relief supplies and mail them to hurricane-battered Puerto Rico following a collection drive in Parkersburg on Oct. 6.

Batteries (C, D, A), hygiene items, aspirin, flip-flops, money and other items were donated for the citizens of Puerto Rico, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria on Sept. 20. Money was donated to help Clegg, a native of Puerto Rico, mail these boxes to the Caribbean island.

Clegg is chef and co-owner of Mango Latin Bistro on Market Street in Parkersburg, where the items were collected.

Clegg said she is overwhelmed by the support for Puerto Rico displayed by Parkersburg area residents.

“There are no words to express my gratitude,” Clegg told me this week. “It was incredible.”

Clegg said she continues to send boxes filled with rice, beans, cans of tuna, potted ham and spaghetti to Puerto Rico. Many households in the U.S. territory remain without electricity or water.

Clegg is thankful that her mother, Doris Cruz, has joined her in Parkersburg from Puerto Rico and she hopes to bring additional relatives here.

***

The Actors Guild of Parkersburg has raised more than $450,000, in grants, pledges and donations, for phase one of a Capital Campaign to improve and modernize its theater at Eighth and Market streets.

This money has been used primarily for asbestos abatement in the basement and the installation of a sprinkler system required for fire safety, said Susan Schuchts, a member of the Actors Guild’s Capital Campaign Committee. This work is expected to be completed in the next few months.

Also, about half of the money has been raised to complete a second phase of the campaign, which involves installing a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

Plans are being discussed on future phases of the Capital Campaign, which continues to raise money for Actors Guild theater improvements, Schuchts said.

Performances continue at the theater as the work progresses.

Contact Paul LaPann at plapann@newsandsentinel.com

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