Exhibit featuring paintings, pottery to open at the PAC | News, Sports, Jobs

The Last Samurai by Randy Selbe.
(Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — The Parkersburg Art Center will host two special events this weekend.

On Friday, from 5-7 p.m., the PAC will be hosting an exhibit opening reception for artists Newman Jackson and Randy Selbe.

Jackson’s paintings vary from large, portrait-style paintings to smaller canvases with imagery revealing the more psychological aspects of humanness.

Selbe is a formally trained graphic designer and illustrator, but decided later in life that clay was a great medium for her artistic endeavors.

“Charleston artists Randy Selbe and Newman Jackson both work in bold colors and shapes. Even though these are two separate exhibits, we believe viewers will enjoy seeing how well the pieces complement each other,” said Abby Hayhurst, Parkersburg Art Center Artists Director.

“Stringing Breens” by Newman Jackson.
(Photo Provided)

“My father showed me how to draw a human leg (comparing it to a baseball bat) when I was 8. Later, my high school art teacher led me to famous black artists I could relate to, like Henry O. Tanner and Charles White. Years later, I earned extra cash while in the Navy by drawing my buddies and their girlfriends,” said Jackson. “All of my canvases represent tidbits from my personal Appalachian experiences — an episode of my youth, a wandering thought, or an event in the present.”

Selbe also grew up in West Virginia.

“I have great love of the outdoors, travel and art. The look and texture of my pottery expresses my life: visions of home, travel, and many other indelible imprints and influences. My goal is to create pottery that balances uniqueness and appeal with true functionality and usefulness,” she said.

The Exhibit Opening Reception on Friday cost $10 to attend but is free to Art Center members and children 12 and under. Hor d’oeuvres and refreshments will be available.

The exhibit will remain on display through Nov. 11 and can be viewed Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular admission is waived for all of 2023 thanks to the Admission Sponsorship of WVU Medicine Camden Clark.

The Parkersburg Art Center will hold its annual ArtOberfest event from 5-9 p.m. Saturday.
(Photo Provided)

The Parkersburg Art Center is located at 725 Market St. in downtown Parkersburg at the corner of Market and Eighth streets with parking in the lots along Eighth Street between Market and Juliana. Find out more about the Art Center on Facebook, Instagram or their website www.parkersburgartcenter.org.

In the other weekend event, Artoberfest and Chalk the Block will be Saturday on Market Street in the 700 and 800 blocks in front of the art center.

The Chalk the Block chalk art competition will be 1-5 p.m. and ArtOberfest will be 5-9 p.m.

For the seventh annual ArtOberfest, artists will fill the block in front of the art center with unique and hand-crafted items for sale. Vendors include jewelry makers, potters, fused glass design, pen and ink artists, painters, authors, crochet and knitwear crafters, sign makers and more. J.D. Williamson will be back this year drawing caricatures.

Musical entertainment for the evening includes performances by Evie Schaffer, Evan Cunningham, Moonking and Division Street. Food and drink will provided by WineDown on Market, Sips Coffee Truck, Parkersburg Brewing Company, DJs Sweet Creations and Royally Baked WV with gourmet pepperoni rolls.

The art center and the PAC713 Market will also be open all evening so guests can shop at the gift shop and enjoy the gallery exhibits by Jackson and Selbe. The mezzanine level will be set up as a Lego Building station for kids of all ages inside the Art Center.

During Chalk the Block on the 800 block of Market Street, teen and adult artists will create temporary works of art directly on the sidewalk. Music will be provided by DJ Casey Powell and additional artful entertainment by the crew from ArtBeat Studio. The public is invited to join the fun, watch the creativity flow and vote for favorites. Cash prizes will be awarded thanks to Chalk the Block sponsor, Artsbridge. Artists are to pre-register if they want to be eligible for the prizes at www.parkersburgartcenter.org/upcomingcurrent-events

Attending either of these events is free, but donations will be accepted at the entrance and funds go to purport PAC arts outreach programs and help the PAC grow the senior arts studio. There are no tickets to buy and plenty of parking in the lots along Eighth Street.

If it rains, the ArtOberfest party will move inside the art center. Chalk the Block will be rescheduled in the event of rain.

ArtOberfest is free due to the title sponsor Bill Bailey Insurance, and other sponsors West Virginia University at Parkersburg, United Bank, Artsbridge, Joe Munoz, Downtown PKB and Discount Pool Supply with extra help from Wine Down on Market and Parkersburg Brewing Company.