Meet Me On Market: 3rd Fridays, May - September 2025
Meet Me on Market is a new series of downtown events happening on the third Friday of each month from May through September 2025 along Market Street in downtown Parkersburg. Each event is designed to bring the community downtown with live music, special promotions, themed activities, and extended business hours.
What to Expect Each Month
- Downtown businesses, nonprofits, and restaurants open late
- Live music, sidewalk activities, art demos, and gallery openings
- Special themed promotions and pop-ups
- Restaurant specials + PODA in effect (designated cups for outdoor beverages)
- Monthly BINGO game encouraging visitors to explore Market Street. Completed cards are dropped at that month’s designated business for a chance to win a prize bundle.
Visit our Meet Me on Market’s Facebook page for more details about the upcoming events.
CALL FOR ENTRIES: REGIONAL 2025
The Art Center and United Bank welcome WVU Medicine Camden Clark as the prize sponsor for this biennial exhibit, open to all artists who live within 100 miles of Parkersburg. WVU Medicine Camden Clark’s mission and vision are led by the standards of behavior called the “4 Cs:” COMPASSION, COMMUNICATION, COMMITMENT and COMPETENCE. They seek to share these four “Cs” with our creative community. COMPASSION is the select theme for this year. The theme for Regional 2025 is R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
Opening Reception & Awards: Friday, July 18, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Reception is free for artists and ONE guest. Additional guests, $10 per person. Children under 12, no charge.
Click on our REGIONAL 2025 PAGE to learn more about how to enter.
MACBETH: Friday, June 20th, 7 pm
The Rustic Mechanicals 2025 Vaulting Ambition Tour of William Shakespeare's MACBETH will play at the Parkersburg Art Center on Friday, June 20th at 7 p.m. Get your tickets below.
"Murder! Prophecy! Witches! And, surprisingly, Love.”
The power of a prophesy tempts the ambitious General Macbeth and his passionately persuasive wife to accelerate their rise to royalty.
Something wicked this way comes when the real-life husband and wife founders of the Rustic Mechanicals play the original power couple whose vaulting ambition unravels their love and their lives."
Directed by Jim Warren alongside Voice & Text Coach Bridget Rue Esterhuizen, Fight Choreographer Millie Omps, and Dramaturg John S. Shirley, with Production Design by Jason A Young, Production and Tour Management by Niki DeWitt, and Technical Direction by Seret Cole the Mechanicals featured in this production include Jason A Young, Sarah Young, Joshua Brooks, Stephen Phillips, Sinead Tobin, John Spellman, Aaron Harris, Eric Jett, and Daisy Deaton.
Tastes & Tunes: Saturday, July 12, 7-10 pm
Tastes and Tunes is back for another unforgettable night under the Edison lights on the 700 block of Market Street! This festive fundraiser for the Parkersburg Art Center takes place Saturday, July 12, from 7 to 10 p.m., and will happen rain or shine—if the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll move the entire celebration indoors.
Your $40 ticket includes ALL of this:
Live music from local favorites OYO and Sour Mash String Band
A full catered meal from Valley Catering, featuring:
A gourmet grazing table with favorite meats, cheeses, savories, fruits, dips, and crackers
Build-your-own baked potato bar
A carving station with brisket, turkey, ham, and vegetarian BBQ jackfruit.
Savor Mexican-inspired bites like shrimp tacos, Spanish rice, Southwest Salad, and a selection of salsas
Plus a sweet station with cookies and cheesecake cups. Coffee, tea, and lemonade included.
Yard games and games of chance, including:
The ever-popular Wine Wheel
Prize Plinko and more
Access to two bars offering curated wine and beer selections (available for purchase)
The chance to stroll through the PAC’s Regional Gallery Exhibit
Shopping for fresh, local items in The Market, open during the event
Now in its fifth year, Tastes & Tunes brings together everything we love about summer—great food, great music, and great people—all to support the Art Center’s exhibits, public art projects, and community outreach programs.
Thanks to our sponsors: Jan Dils Attorneys at Law, Hughes Properties, Waters Fanta Insurance, ONE. Skin Care Studio, Wine & Beverage Merchants of WV, and Holl’s Chocolate.
Parkersburg Piccalilli: Friday, September 19th, 2025
Parkersburg Piccalilli: An Artists’ Takeover is coming to the Parkersburg Art Center on Friday, September 19, 2025, with an optional hands-on art workshop add-ons the day before, Thursday the 18th.
This educational and fun-filled event is designed for working artists, art educators, college art students, and arts organizations. The day will include practical workshops, hands-on art making, networking, and a chance to connect with the broader arts community.
Two tracks will be offered: one focusing on creative entrepreneurship and the business side of being a working artist, and one offering hands-on workshops led by some of the region’s top artists.
Friday wraps up with an evening of celebration featuring live art demonstrations, a pop-up exhibit, and the final Meet Me on Market event of the season—and of course there will be food, music, and artwork by participating artists.
An exciting lineup of presenters and workshop hosts is already in the works. Registration opens in June with Early Bird pricing for the first couple of weeks, so please mark your calendar and help us spread the word!!
ArtOberfest 2025: Saturday, October 11, 5-9 p.m.
ArtOberfest and Chalk the Block are coming to the Parkersburg Art Center on Saturday, October 11th, offering a day full of art, music, and activities. The events are centered on the 700 and 800 blocks of Market Street. The day kicks off with Chalk the Block, from 1-5 p.m., where artists will create temporary chalk artwork on the sidewalks. Attendees can walk through the block, watch the artists at work, and vote for their favorite pieces, with prizes awarded for the top creations.
From 5-9 p.m. that day the 700 block will come to life with local artists demonstrating their craft and selling their work. Come prepared to shop!
The evening also features live music with performances from several local musician. Food and drinks will be available from local favorites. Have your dinner under the Edison Lights!
The Parkersburg Art Center and PAC713 Market will be open throughout the event, allowing visitors to explore the Holly Cole exhibit and shop in the gift store. A Lego building station and a Discovery World-sponsored kids activity will also be available from 5-7 p.m.
If it rains, the event will move indoors to the Parkersburg Art Center because our building is big and designed for parties!
Private Painting and Pottery Parties
The Parkersburg Art Center offers private painting or pottery parties. These are perfect for team building, a staff retreat, gatherings with friends, celebratory events, and birthdays. With a minimum of five participants, we can bring your creative event to life—just email info@parkersburgartcenter.org with your request. Please start making those plans AT LEAST three weeks in advance so we can schedule an instructor!