The MOV Artist Studio Tour will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The self-guided tour will provide visitors with access to working artist studios throughout Washington County and Wood County. (Photo provided by Greta Guimond)

MARIETTA — Art lovers from across the Mid-Ohio Valley will have an opportunity to step inside the creative spaces where local art is made during the inaugural MOV Artist Studio Tour, a collaborative event presented by Marietta Main Street and the Parkersburg Art Center.

Taking place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the self-guided tour will provide visitors with access to working artist studios throughout Washington County and Wood County. The event features at least seven stops and more than ten participating artists, offering a unique look at the diverse creative talent in the Mid-Ohio Valley, according to a press release about the event.

Participants will explore a variety of creative disciplines, from printmaking and painting to fiber arts, pottery, woodworking, and more. Featured artist hosts include Bobby Rosenstock of Just A Jar Design + Press, Beth Nash, Lynda Rhodes, Dorsey Northrup, Greta Guimond of Marietta Makery, and Melony Gingery, with additional guest artists joining at select locations.

The tour is the result of a new partnership between two organizations committed to supporting arts and culture throughout the region: Marietta Main Street’s Public Art Committee and the Parkersburg Art Center.

“Art truly knows no boundaries, so partnering with our friends and neighbors at Marietta Main Street to create this shared Mid-Ohio Valley experience just makes perfect sense,” said Jessie Siefert, Managing Director and Education Director at the Parkersburg Art Center. “The PAC is excited to serve as a hub for this tour, housing potters, woodcarvers and an incredibly talented regional weaver. We love the idea of connecting our communities across the river through a shared appreciation for the creative process. Hopefully this is the first of many such collaborations.”

As one of the tour’s featured hubs, the Parkersburg Art Center will offer visitors the opportunity to experience multiple artistic disciplines in one location. Demonstrations will include professional weaver Margee Bias working at her large floor loom, members of the Gepetto Woodcarvers, and pottery demonstrations led by Casey Cutlip and Jeff Lawrence. Visitors will also have access to two exhibitions currently on display at the Art Center.

The tour provides an opportunity for visitors to discover new creative spaces and reconnect with familiar ones, said the press release. One stop will include a special look inside the newly relocated Marietta Makery, where owner and artist Greta Guimond is reimagining the space as both a personal studio and a future gathering place for creativity and community.

“The MOV Art Studio Tour is such a unique opportunity to step inside the creative spaces where art happens,” said Guimond. “The community will get to meet artists, see works in progress, hear the stories behind the artwork, and experience the deep talent that exists throughout our area. I’m especially excited to welcome guests back to Marietta Makery in its new location for a sneak peek at what’s next as I begin reopening the space as a personal studio and an unusual creative gathering space for parties and workshops for our creative community. It’s going to be a wonderful celebration of local art and the people who make it.”

According to the press release, organizers hope the event will not only introduce residents and visitors to the region’s vibrant arts scene, but also foster stronger connections between artists, communities, and creative organizations on both sides of the Ohio River.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the event. Each ticket holder will receive a map identifying all tour locations and a wristband granting access to participating studios. Check-in locations will be available at the Parkersburg Art Center, 725 Market St., Parkersburg, and Just A Jar Design + Press, 208 Front St., Marietta.

For additional information, visit Marietta Main Street or the Parkersburg Art Center online. Tickets can be purchased at https://events.humanitix.com/mid-ohio-valley-artist-studio-tour.