Wit & Whimzy and Clutch Collective MOV are bringing even more creativity to downtown Marietta this summer with the launch of a new event series, Second Sunday Pop-Ups! The debut event will take place on Sunday, June 14th from noon to 4:00 pm, transforming one corner of downtown Marietta into a vibrant outdoor marketplace featuring local and regional artists, live music, and community gathering.

Art lovers from across the Mid-Ohio Valley will have a rare 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 on Saturday, June 13.

‍Installed in Spring of 2023 by the Marietta Main Street Public Art Committee, the Post Street Mural Gallery has provided a vibrant pop of public art along the river trail. The three sculpted metal frames created by artist Todd Morrow each showcase two works of art by local artists, creating a whimsical open-air gallery. This spring, the gallery was updated with six new pieces of art for the community to enjoy!

The Athens Quilt Trail Project, created by artist Caroline Murphy, brought a new kind of community-driven art experience to Athens, Ohio, this winter. Inspired by traditional quilt trails but reimagined as an interactive series, the project invited residents and visitors to create their own quilt-inspired pieces at locations throughout town. Through four hands-on experiences and a culminating exhibition, the project engaged hundreds of participants and highlighted the role of art in fostering connection, creativity, and community.

On Saturday, February 7, the hum of conversation inside First City Records felt a little different than usual. For the first time, the Marietta record shop wasn’t just selling records. It was celebrating one it helped create. The occasion was the release of kinda like a dream, a five-song EP by local musician Jake Dunn and the inaugural album from First City Records’ newly launched label.

Every year, the Parkersburg Art Center transforms into a wonderland of imagination for its annual Artist Trees Exhibit—and this year’s display might be the most creative yet. Debuting during the Center’s Holiday Open House & Artist Market on Shop Small Saturday, the exhibit is a community tradition that blends holiday spirit, art history, and pure playfulness.

If you scroll through TikTok or Instagram, chances are you’ve stumbled across a video by Ron and Larissa Delancey — the husband-and-wife duo who have turned snippets of everyday life into laugh-out-loud moments that resonate far beyond their Mid-Ohio Valley home. Their videos—equal parts clever, chaotic, and deeply relatable—capture the humor of parenting, marriage, and millennial nostalgia, all while giving a nod to the community that shaped them.

The Parkersburg Art Center, in collaboration with the Arts Collaborative of the Mid-Ohio Valley and WVU Parkersburg, is excited to announce the Parkersburg Piccalilli Artists’ Conference: Artists Take Over with Relish on September 19, 2025!

When West Virginia nature illustrator Rosalie Haizlett opens the door to her new shop and studio, Meander, she’s inviting visitors into more than just a storefront. She’s offering a glimpse into her process — the way she studies the world slowly, attentively, and with a deep affection for the details most people rush past.

During Saturday of Harmar Days Festival, a burst of creativity took center stage in the Artists Village, where eleven local artists painted live in celebration of Harmar Village’s historic charm. The Artists Village created a dynamic space for visitors to experience art in action - and now those original works of art are available for a good cause.

Every July, the Marietta Main Street Public Art Committee brings color, creativity, and community spirit to downtown with its annual live t-shirt printing fundraiser during First Friday. Held on the Armory Lawn from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., this hands-on experience invites attendees to pick out a shirt and watch as it’s printed in real time using locally carved linocut blocks.

On the evening of May 16, the blocks of Market Street in downtown Parkersburg came alive with community and connection. The sidewalks filled slowly but steadily with families, friends, and neighbors who weren’t rushing to a show or dodging traffic. Lingerers, wanderers, the curious, and the caffeinated. All drawn to a new kind of event, one designed not to dazzle but to welcome. This was the first Meet Me on Market.

In the wake of growing political unrest and personal frustration, two Mid-Ohio Valley residents decided to turn their concerns into action. That decision became MOV Engage and Serve—better known as MOVES—a grassroots group with a big vision: to connect, educate, and empower local citizens to get involved in civic life.

In the heart of Appalachia, a new narrative is taking shape—one rooted in creativity, collaboration, and community pride. At the center of it all is YNST Magazine, an independent print publication founded by Adam Payne and a collective of young storytellers determined to showcase the vibrant arts and culture of the region.

A love for books and nostalgia brought the community together in an overwhelming show of support at Clutch Collective and The Novel Notion’s first-ever Adult Book Fair on Saturday, March 22. The event channeled the excitement of a childhood book fair—this time, tailored for grown-ups who still revel in the joy of discovering new reads and bookish treasures.

For over a decade, Cash Mobs have been a staple in Marietta for loyal, local shoppers. The concept is simple – meet at a designated location, guess which local business is going to be mobbed, and commit to spending a minimum of $10 at the chosen shop.

For artists Eva Bennett of The Beard and The Bun Pottery and Judy Keith of Clay by Judy, creativity is about more than just making—it’s about community. Their new project, This + That: An Artist Collaboration Series, is a testament to the power of collaboration, bringing together artists, makers, and small businesses to create something truly special.

Artist Olivia Williams has transformed an interior wall of First City Records into a psychedelic tribute to rock ‘n’ roll legends. Swirling with electrifying colors and portraits of music’s greatest icons, the mural captures the spirit of rebellion, rhythm, and raw energy that define the genre.

Local artist Sam Keith has spent the last several months building up to a big moment - the official launch of her new brand and e-commerce shop, SuperBloom. Sam debuted her line of original art prints, screen-printed apparel, stickers, and more at the Simply Kin Winter Solstice Market last month and after the first of the year, opened up shop online.