WE LOVE OUR
CREATIVE COMMUNITY
Our origins are in community storytelling and from the start, the mission of Clutch Collective has been to celebrate local culture, creativity, and community in our corner of Appalachia. Here you’ll find more than just updates from our shop - you’ll find stories about public art installations, local artists, creative organizations, and local small businesses that contribute to our creative economy. We are active participants in our local and regional art scene and we love to shine a light on the growing artistic movement we are witnessing in our community.
Drew Tanner: Bringing Film Photography to Life
Drew Tanner is many things: A husband and father, a skilled marketing professional, an upright bassist for not one, but two local bands (Oyo and Hominid) - and a talented analog photographer. We asked Drew about how he got into analogy photography, what goes into capturing and developing one of these impressive panoramic images, and why he’s decided to share more about his photography practice through social media.
Parkersburg Piccalilli Returns
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: An Artists’ Takeover, taking place on September 11 and 12, 2024. Registration is open through September 6!
Megan Tadlock Pops Up for First Friday
Clutch Collective is hosting a special pop-up event with West Virginia artist Megan Tadlock of Made by Meg as part of Marietta Main Street’s First Friday Art Walk on Friday, August 2.
Floodwall Mural Project Celebrates Another Milestone
Yesterday, the Parkersburg community came together to celebrate the completion of Phase 4 of the Floodwall Mural Project. The project, spearheaded by local businessman Edward Escandon and artist Christopher Santer along with the Floodwall Steering Committee, is transforming more than 1,000 feet of floodwall into a panoramic display of public art at Parkersburg’s Point Park.
Secrets of an Art Rep: Advice from Suzanne Schultz
Over the past 17 years, Suzanne Schultz has worked with over 100 artists from around the world, helping them secure magazine covers, land design projects, gain gallery representation, and much more. We asked Suzanne to share advice for artists who want to build a sustainable practice.
Create for a Cause: Live Art at the Armory Auction on Display Downtown
The Armory was a hub of artistic activity for Marietta Main Street’s First Friday Art Walk on July 5th. Returning for a second year, Live Art at the Armory was hosted by the organization’s Public Art Committee and featured eight local artists, each painting a 2’ x 2’ canvas during the four-hour event.
Discover Parkersburg’s Artists Alley
Last weekend, local artists took over a Parkersburg alley and claimed it for their own. Dozens of artists and community members rolled up their sleeves to sling paint and have a good time as part of Downtown PKB’s Arts and Culture Committee’s latest public art project, Artists Alley.
SIPS Coffee Truck: Brewing Community
It’s only been one year since we first introduced SIPS Coffee Truck in our email newsletter, welcoming owners Jen and Eric Allman to the MOV coffee scene. We knew SIPS was brewing something special, but we had no idea just how much of an impact Clementine would make on this community. In celebration of their first anniversary, we asked Jen to talk with us about what SIPS has accomplished and what they have brewing up next!
Artbeat Studio Makes Art from the Heart
It’s impossible not to smile the moment you walk into the Artbeat Studio. The collaborative and adaptive community arts center in downtown Parkersburg is a wonderfully vibrant space, and not only because of the colorful creations decorating every surface. What makes the studio extra special is the group of artists who call it home.
First Friday Features Local Fiber Artists
Clutch Collective and Wit & Whimzy, two boutique retail shops located in downtown Marietta, are hosting special events featuring local fiber artists for Marietta Main Street’s First Friday on June 7, from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.
Paint & Jam: Hello June Connects Through Live Painting Sessions
In February, something special happened on Hello June’s Instagram account. Sar and Whit jumped online and hosted a live paint and jam session, encouraging followers to tune in and paint along or simply listen.
The Story of The Beard & The Bun Pottery
Meet Tim and Eva Bennett, the West Virginia-based husband and wife artist duo behind The Beard & The Bun Pottery!
Artist Alley Call for Artists
Downtown PKB’s Arts and Culture Committee invites local artists and community members to participate in a new downtown project and create a more visually appealing Parkersburg. Located between 6th and 7th Streets, Artist Alley will feature a gallery of artwork created by contributing artists.
Art & Business: An Interview with Bobby Rosenstock
After fifteen years as a full-time artist, Bobby Rosenstock of JustAJar Design Press has learned a thing or two about the art of running an art business. We asked Bobby to talk with us about wearing both hats, dealing with burnout, finding inspiration, and maintaining a healthy balance.
Storybook Mural Adds Color to Community
There’s a new public art installation adding color and vibrancy to the corner of 5th and Washington Streets in Marietta, thanks to the Marietta Main Street Public Art Committee. Designed by local artist Alaina Pellett, the vinyl mural wraps the 6’ tall electrical box with intricate storybook scenes that were hand-illustrated in colored pencil.
Artful Reads: Our Curated Art Magazines
We might be living in a digital age, but the print magazine is far from dead. In fact, there seem to be more indie art publications now than ever before. We’re proud to carry a collection of unique, artful magazines for readers of all ages! Here’s a look at what we stock in the shop.
Shop Hop Pop-Up with Logan Schmitt
Clutch Collective, an art retail shop located in downtown Marietta, is hosting a special pop-up event with West Virginia illustrator Logan Schmitt on Saturday, March 23rd from 12:00 to 4:00 pm as part of Marietta Main Street’s Shop Hop event.
From Clutch MOV to Clutch Collective
Before Clutch Collective, there was Clutch MOV. In fact, this month marks ten years since we first introduced Clutch MOV to the Mid-Ohio Valley with our official soft opening at Thrive Café. What began as a creative way to share local stories grew to become so much more.
Nevada Tribble Honors Local History with Installation
Earlier this month, West Virginia artist Nevada Tribble installed an art piece made from deconstructed baseballs in her hometown of Elkins, WV. The project is part of Woodlands Development & Lending's 'Lost Towns of the Mon' project, a permanent art collection in the newly rehabilitated Tygart Hotel.
A Galentine’s to Remember
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first Galentine’s Party with Wit & Whimzy! I don’t know if we’ve ever had so much fun with an event. We loved spending our Galentine’s Day with you and catching up with so many friends.