The Parkersburg Art Center (PAC) is located at the corner of Eighth and Market Streets, in downtown Parkersburg, in a building that was formerly a Montgomery Wards Store. The Art Center was chartered in 1938, making it West Virginia’s oldest cultural agency in continuous operation.
Five gallery spaces are available to display works of artists and crafters from this region and beyond. Artists also offer their work for sale in our gift shop, the PAC 713 Market.
Integral to the Art Center is the education department. We offer year-round art training for students of all ages in a wide variety of disciplines from yoga to oil painting to photography.
Among the most consistently popular classes are those offered in the PAC’s Clay Studio. This three-room facility offers experiential learning at its best and is also the home of an active group of Studio Members who use our space as their studio. This is a co-operative venture that has grown over the years.
In addition to the schedule of public programs, the PAC houses the ArtStart Preschool which was established in 2006. This program is a school-year program focused on nurturing the development of young children in a developmentally appropriate and creative way.
During the summer, the Art Center offers ten, week-long sessions of Camp Creativity for students between the ages of 4 and 17.
The PAC is also an events venue for weddings, receptions, showers, trade-shows and lectures.
And, let’s not forget our custom framing shop, The Framing Gallery, with all frames made and assembled in-house to your specifications.
We hope that you will join us!
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Location: The Parkersburg Art Center is located at 725 Market Street in Downtown Parkersburg.
Hours: The Art Center is opened Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.
Admission: Admission to the Art Center is free for members and only $2 for the public. Wednesdays are free admission and children 12 and under are always free. NOTE: For all of 2024 admission during regular hours is FREE thanks to the generous sponsorship of WVU Medicine CCMC.
Parking: Our parking lot is located along 8th Street between Market and Juliana (adjacent to the PCES playground) and has 50 spaces for you and your guests. Additional parking is at meters on the street but is free from Friday at 5 pm-Monday 6 am. There is also very reasonable municipal parking behind our building a block over (approximately 210 steps from our front door).
Out-of-town guests: We've partnered up with local hotels that are just 10-15 minutes away! Having your event here ensures a special Art Center rate!
TOURS
Trained volunteers will lead your class or organization on an informative tour of the works on display and will answer questions.
Please email info@parkersburgartcenter.org or call 304-485-3859 at least two weeks in advance for your tour to be arranged.
Hands-on Art Program
Participate in a hands-on project relevant to the exhibit. Have your group or class tour our current art exhibits and become Art Makers.
Inspire the imagination in each child with the Art Center’s hands-on program. Open to all ages. Price vary depending on the art activity. Please call Jessie at 304-485-3859.