Parkersburg Art Center delivers creative care packages
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PARKERSBURG -- The Parkersburg Art Center is striving to raise community spirits and keep area seniors engaged in artful pursuits during the continued isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Thursday, art center staff prepared and delivered a care package of art and art materials for sheltering seniors who receive meal delivery through a program at the Belpre Senior Center. Funding for this project, which will continue through the spring, has been provided by the Belpre Area Community Development Foundation.
"The 'Seniors Helping Seniors' program came about when our Pottery Studio received a donation of over 400 slip-casting molds. The BACDF funding enabled us to purchase necessary equipment to pour and fire these molds and to collaborate with the Belpre Senior Center," said Abby Hayhurst, Artistic Director for the Parkersburg Art Center. "Art is essential. It lifts the spirit and can take your mind off of the crazy stuff that is going on in the world. This is one small way that we can meet our mission and serve the community that supports us."
"The mission of the O'Neill Center (which manages the Belpre Senior Center) is to help area seniors live Healthy, Independent and Productive lives," said Connie Huntsman, executive director of the O'Neill Center. "Nutrition assistance is being provided yet socialization is severely restricted at this time. Isolation is difficult, especially for those who live alone. Having this partnership means we can help with nutrition and isolation at the same time. We appreciate the art center for helping us help seniors," she said.
The Art Center Potters hope that individuals will relish the opportunity to create art that can be a keepsake or given as a gift. They also believe that working on clay projects at home will encourage these new artists to join their contemporaries at the art center, when it is safe to do so.
For more information about the art center, visit the website at www.parkersburgartcenter.org or on Facebook or Instagram. Questions can also be emailed to info@parkersburgartcenter.org.
The Parkersburg Art Center, located at 725 Market St. in downtown Parkersburg, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Social distancing and masks are required in the facility.