Current/Upcoming Exhibits:

Confluence by Bobby Rosenstock and Joe Ryckebosch: Nov 22 - Dec 31

Opening Reception: Friday, November 22nd, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Bobby owns JustAJar Design Press in Marietta, a letterpress shop that creates custom woodcut posters for clients throughout the country.  Joe starts with found imagery which he reclaims and augments. His work evokes a sense of wonderment and curiosity. Both unwind in the band, Oyo. Bobby plays banjo and Joe is the guy on the drums.

In a recent interview with MOV Clutch Collective, Joe said about himself and his work, “I create art as a means to assert myself. It is the only power I have. Whether it be fine art, skateboarding or playing drums. They all intertwine and work as a whole to make me more than the insubstantial physical being that I am.”  This is a very good description of the creative process!

Bobby and his wife, Sara, started JustAJar in their garage, and it has grown into a national business. They have created posters for Emmylou Harris, Soundgarden, and more. Bobby says, “We’re not exactly following the latest technology trends. We’re just making art, trying to grow as artists, and hoping folks continue to enjoy it.”

Pictured: "Wind Drifters" by Bobby Rosenstock, Untitled by Joe Ryckebosch

Artist Trees 2024: November 30 - December 21, 2024

The Parkersburg Art Center’s Annual Artist Tree Display will kick off during our Holiday Open House & Artist Market on Shop Small Saturday.

The ARTIST TREE EXHIBIT is the challenge we give our staff, volunteers, and school groups: trim a tree that represents a famous artist, or work of art. The results are always…astounding.

This project is being presented with financial assistance from the WV Humanities Council, the official state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

This is a community celebration of art and creativity. Bring some change and vote for your favorites!

Bolls to the Woll: November 30 - December 21, 2024

For the past few years, we’ve been challenging our artists to do a bit of themed work to display on the Mezzanine during the Holidays...like anyone needs something ELSE to do...but it’s always fun and historically makes a few bucks for the PAC. So this year’s challenge is: Take a Christmas Tree ball...? Orb? Sphere? Round thing? Ornament? and go crazy on it.  There will be a small cash prize for the most creative BOLL.

These BOLLS will be sold for $20 each, all proceeds to benefit the PAC’s programs. Better not start your shopping ‘til you see them. They are likely to be creative, whimsical and exactly what you need for the office gift exchange

Eight Miles High: Works by Dan Hilford: JAN 24 - Feb 22

Opening Reception: Friday, January 24, 5-7 p.m.

Dan Hilford is a California-based artist, who works in large format canvasses. A life-long waterman who has surfed all over the world, he is particularly drawn to colors of the ocean and sky, with splashes of environmental drama, fluidity and structure.

He believes in exploring artistic expression in a way that doesn’t confine growth or limit genre.His exhibit will be packed with brush and palette knife work, along with acrylic “pours.” Expect a lot of color and excitement---on a giant scale!

The Clay Zombies: Members of the PAC’s Clay Studio Cooperative: Jan 24 - Feb 22

Opening Reception: Friday, January 24, 5-7 p.m.

The 40+ members of the Art Center’s Cooperative Clay Studio have been busy getting ready to show off their skills. You can expect to see all manner of clay techniques in bowls, vessels and other structures, demonstrating creativity, innovation and experimentation.

Our potters are creating the artifacts that will be dug up in the next millennium…and you get to see them first!

Written Visual Art & More by Members of the Art & Calligraphy Society: Jan 24 - Feb 22

Opening Reception: Friday, January 24, 5-7 p.m.

Wikipedia defines Calligraphy as a ‘visual art related to writing. It is the design and execution of lettering with a pen, ink brush, or other writing instrument, giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious, and skillful manner.’ That much is true, but this Pop-Up show will be so much more. Definitely ‘something to write home about’ from these talented artists and letter-smiths.

Student Art Shows: March and April 2025

Opening in March and April

For two months all our gallery spaces (and we really mean ALL) will be turned over to young art students from West Virginia and Ohio.  Exhibits will include the WV Art Educators Annual Statewide Exhibition, The Warren Local School District Annual Art Show, the County-wide Art Cart Exhibit, and more! 

Follow us online to learn the dates for each student exhibit.

Past Exhibits:

Pop-up Exhibit: Norma's Nutcrackers: Nov 22 - Dec 2, 2024

Kick off the holiday season with a special Pop-up Exhibit! For two weeks, the Reception Gallery will feature a unique display of Nutcrackers from the private collection of retired Mid-Ohio Valley Ballet Company Artistic Director, Norma Gunter.

This delightful collection is a must-see, capturing the spirit of the season with a wide variety of these iconic holiday figures.

Don’t miss this festive exhibit, open during regular Art Center hours!

Hanging by a Thread: August 9 - November 9, 2024

The family-owned thread business began in my parents' home in the early 1970s and grew to sell worldwide, shipping from our factory in Parkersburg, West Virginia, USA. Last year we celebrated our 50th anniversary.

Our products include a variety of silk and metallic threads for needlework, crafts, fashion, costume, film, and fly fishing industries. Kreinik threads are used worldwide, from homes, schools, universities, fashion houses like Kate Spade, and movie costumes like Game of Thrones and Hocus Pocus 2.

This exhibit features many examples of the finest needlework made, using our unique products.   -Doug Kreinik

Allied Artists of WV: September 15 - November 9, 2024

Allied Artists of West Virginia, Inc. is a non-profit, educational and cultural association whose mission is to encourage, nurture, and present the work of West Virginia artists to the community. Since 1930, AAWV has encouraged artists to show their work, fostered the development of new works, and furthered artistic interests in the community.

This will be Allied Artists 73rd Annual Juried Exhibit, and we are proud to host it at the PAC! Expect to see the best 2D and 3D work in our state.

Juror for this show is Rita Montrosse, an art instructor from Princeton High School, who is also an adjunct instructor at Concord University.

Transitional Living Program Art Show: October 22 - November 5, 2024

This exhibit offers a special showcase of artwork created by young individuals in the Transitional Living Program, a service of the Children's Home Society of West Virginia.

The Transitional Living Program is dedicated to helping youth in West Virginia gain stability and independence. by helping young adults aged 16-22 transition to adulthood by providing them assistance with housing, life skills training, educational support, and vocational assistance. This art show offers a unique opportunity for these young artists to share their talents, express their creativity, and connect with the community through their work. Each piece in the exhibit is an original creation, reflecting the voices and visions of these young people as they navigate their journey toward a brighter future.

One of the young artists, Serenity B., age 20, shared her experience, saying, “I have never felt I was very good at being creative, but I’ve had a lot of fun learning how to express myself through art while preparing for this art show, and I think it’s awesome that someone at the art center cares enough to share space with us, so that others can see our creations, because we haven’t had opportunities like this before, and it’s an experience that I know I personally will always remember.”

The show will remain on exhibit until November 5.

Bonsai: Special Exhibit: September 14 - 28, 2024

Back by popular demand! The fabulous miniature trees by Ki No Kaze Bonsai Club will be on display for two weeks only in our Reception Gallery starting Sept. 14th with the opening reception on Sept. 15th.

Thanks to Barry DeWitt and Amy Sillers for arranging this treat.

Transitory States: Photography by Ardine Nelson: August 9 – September 7, 2024

From an early age Ardine Nelson had a strong interest in plants and flowers.

“Transitory States shows the visual beauty of plants as they go through their aging process and life cycle, to remind us that beauty exists outside of our perceived prime.”

“Our cultural emphasis on youth, freshness and perfection, misses the importance of experience, of life well-lived. I have come to embrace the aging process and look to a more mature appreciation of all stages of life.” – Ardine Nelson

Pictured to the right: Sample of work by Ardine Nelson

Imagining Democracy: August 9 - September 7, 2024

Discover the intersection of creativity and civic engagement at our upcoming exhibit, featuring an array of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional art across multiple mediums. Also included in this exhibit are poems exploring the theme of Democracy.

Conceived by a group of longstanding local artists and devoted supporters of the Parkersburg Art Center, with the guidance of Abby Hayhurst, Artistic Director, artists were invited to contribute their work to the jurying process. The result is sure to be a compelling showcase of diverse perspectives.

Congratulations to our People’s Choice Winner, Shelley Gorrell for her piece “My Spirit Animal” shown here.

The River: Biennial Juried Exhibit for Professional WV & OH Artists: June 23 - July 27, 2024

Works by 47 West Virginia and Ohio artists make up this exhibit, designed to showcase some of the best art from both states. Paintings of all sorts, photography, sculpture, wood-working and the ceramic arts---it’s all here.

We are fortunate to be able to display works of this caliber, and to reward our talented artists with prizes for excellence.

“This will be the seventh time we’ve done ‘The River’ show, a biennial exhibit for professional and semi-professional artists who live in WV and Ohio. The name was chosen to reflect the liquid highway connecting our two states, but it is also an exemplar for the variety, depth and breadth of the creative talent in our states.”

-Abby Hayhurst, Artistic Director

The River 2024 winners:

Best in Show: Liuqing Ruth Yang, Best 2-D: Betsy Spellman, Best 3-D: Larry Weese, Jr., Best Photo/Digital: Fredrik Marsh, Best Theme: Ann Grimes, Jose Rizo Award: Beth Nash, United Bank Award: Norm Sartorius, WVU Medicine CAmden Clark Medical Center Award: Brad Davis, Ron and Ruth Tepley Award: Shawn Beasley, Merit Awards:  Shila Wilson, Marlene L'Abbe, Kate Long, Ginny Killian, Tracee Hein and Jon Walsh.

On the Walls: Works by Pat Cross and Judy Foxx: May 5 - June 15, 2024

“Most of my realistic paintings begin as memories from my own life, and my heart sings when observers say things like, ‘I used to have one of those.’ Those words are the validation of my existence as an artist.” — Judy Foxx

 “I create paintings and drawings that offer my viewers the refreshment I experience when exploring natural waterways, gardens, landscapes, and the human form.” —Pat Cross

Pictured below: Pat Cross with art work, "On to Greener Pastures" by Pat Cross, Judy Foxx with art works, "In the Beginning....GOD" by Judy Foxx

Art Is Life Life Is Art Exhibit: May 31st - June 15, 2024

Join Ginny Killian and her band of merry art makers in a celebration of the creativity of older artists. This show features the work of participants in the two sessions of Art Is Life Life Is Art class that brings individuals 55+ together to bond over their creative endeavors and to make some really cool stuff! This program was supported by an Individual Artist Grant through the West Virginia Department of Arts Culture and History.

Refreshments, snacks and music will be part of the fun on this evening! The reception is also supported by Artsbridge and the Ausenheimer Memorial Senior Arts Fund. 

Poetry and Art: Saturday, April 20th, 2024

Poetry and art intersect in this event happening at the PAC during National Poetry Month. Poems were submitted, artists made their selection then created original artwork based on the chosen poem. On April 20 poets and artists meet to share their work with a reading and presentation of the art inspired by the authors.

This event is free and open to the public. Following the April 20 happening, the artwork and poems will be put on display in the Reception Gallery at the PAC.