BUCKHANNON – The first day of Spring – March 20 – is fast approaching, and along with it, Artistry on Main’s Spring into Art show.
Artistry on Main has arranged for the art show to take place at the Opera House Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13. The opening of the show, along with a reception, is slated for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 12, while the main event is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 13.
The show will feature 16 artists from Artistry on Main and 10 other artists with work in a variety of different mediums.
Suzan Morgan, the coordinator of the show and an Artistry on Main artist, said the show will feature painting, jewelry, macramé, blacksmithing, ink and water color, photography, handmade doll clothes, fabric baskets, jelly and candy, pottery, wood items, soap, embroidery, greeting cards, baskets and wire bugs at the show.
“I really believe in art,” Morgan said. “I believe artists are important for a good community, a good healthy community. I think it’s healthy for individuals to be creative, no matter what level you’re on.”
The president of Artistry on Main, Christine Keller, said the show is a good opportunity to find quality items and meet the person who makes them.
“It’s a great way to meet the makers of the product – to come out and talk to them and to actually get a chance to understand the processes for making their art, because the artists love to tell you how they’re doing things and how long it takes for them to create it or what inspired them to do a certain piece,” Keller said.
On April 12, the show will host a reception with live music, drinks and finger food, and Keller said it’s the best chance to meet the artists and get the first chance to purchase items.
Keller said the show has been going on for about 10 years, but this is the second year it has been inside and the first year it is taking place at the Opera House.
“We keep doing this show because art is needed more than what most people are exposed to,” Keller said. “Especially in today’s world, when they’re losing the arts in schools … it just broadens the mind of younger people, and it also just helps those that do have the inclination to be making something a way to sell their art and put them into touch with the public.”
Morgan said the show is also a good outlet for people to learn about Artistry on Main, a local art gallery and artists’ co-op.
“We want to bring art into the community,” Morgan said. “We want to help the public get to know Artistry on Main. A lot of people will come to the show that maybe have never been to the storefront or don’t even know we have a storefront.”
Artistry on Main, located at 27 E. Main St., gives artists a place to exhibit their art and the public a chance to purchase handmade items and gifts. Both Keller and Morgan currently have their artwork in the gallery for purchase.
“Not only do people get to buy from us and see what we do, I always hope that it inspires them,” Morgan said. “I can’t tell you how many people say, ‘Oh, I’ve been working on a quilt for years and I should get back to that,’ and I’m thinking, ‘go for it.’ Be inspired, not necessarily to buy from us but to make art, to do some do something creative.”
Leading up to the art show, some of the artists will be setting pop-up stores at Stone Tower Brews. Pop-up stores enable artists a chance to show their work off before the show.
The next pop-up shop will be March 17 with Suzan Morgan and Gretchen VanNostrand from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Keller will be hosting a pop-up shot the following day — Monday, March 18, from 3-8 p.m.
The final pop-up will be April 7 with Chris Ware of Hall Road Soaps.
