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.
The Artbeat Studio is one of nineteen programs and resources offered by Wood County Society. The backbone of Artbeat Studio is a group of talented artists with developmental differences creating masterpieces from up-cycled materials. The collaborative and exploratory process helps create an environment that fosters accessibility, inclusion, abundance and compassion.
By focusing on the process and the exploration of materials, whether it be paint, thread, clay, paper mâché, or fabric, Artbeat Studio helps artists to develop their own artistic processes and build their confidence.
Entering its fifth year, Artbeat Studio thrives through the use of its collaborative method. “With the collaborative method it doesn't matter the skill set - self-determination empowers everyone to be recognized for their abilities and be included in each project,” said Jennifer Morrison, Artbeat Studio’s Civic Engagement Coordinator.
Since opening, the studio has worked with over 300 artists from the greater Mid-Ohio Valley region, which includes Wood, Jackson, Roane, Ritchie, Wirt, Calhoun, Tyler, Mason and Pleasants counties in West Virginia and Washington, Athens, and Meigs counties in Ohio. On average, the studio serves about thirty artists at a time, with some coming in daily, and others coming in weekly, monthly, or less frequently.
Open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the studio space is brimming with materials, works in progress, and completed projects. Artists work throughout multiple stations alongside staff and volunteers, who have just as much fun as the artists themselves.
“Our clients touch a special place in my heart. The love they give is immeasurable.”
“Working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities allows me to give others personal empowerment- to be seen and heard,” said Morrison. “It allows me to be a part of a very special community. It gives me purpose. It allows me to be part of something bigger than myself. Our clients touch a special place in my heart. The love they give is immeasurable.”
Almost all of the materials used are recycled, most of which is donated from community members and local organizations. One of the studio’s more popular products, the painted metal sculptures, are made from recycled aluminum used in the printing process by the Parkersburg News and Sentinel.
All artists are paid hourly when they work on metal sculptures, in addition to earned commissions on fine art pieces and digitized art. Most pieces are created by three to five artists.
The resulting creations are often whimsical and beautifully layered, just like the mural that adorns the building’s 8th Street façade. Each artist contributes something different to every piece, and every work of art is a work of heart.
Over the past few years, Artbeat Studio has been fully embraced and has embedded itself in the Parkersburg community. Along Market Street, colorful metal sculptures of flowers, butterflies, and bees featuring Artbeat Studio designs can be seen on lamp posts. Throughout the summer, sponsored flower baskets and lamp posts display banners featuring studio artists’ designs.
“Our community empowers our artists to Rise Up to continue to create through inclusion and innovation”
“Our community is so supportive - from donations to commissions to volunteers,” said Morrison. “We have over 26 collaborations with nonprofit and for-profit partners. Our community empowers our artists to Rise Up to continue to create through inclusion and innovation.”
Rise Up Mural by Artbeat Studio, photograph by Michelle Waters
Partnerships include Downtown PKB, The Flower Daddy, The Blennerhassett Hotel, Scout MOV Realty, Arts Collaborative of the MOV, Parkersburg Art Center, Sugar Maple Boutique, Makenzies, NOE, Sir Speedy, Scots Marketplace, and Clutch Collective.
As a nonprofit with a diverse offering of programs, the Wood County Society has found itself in need of more space. This winter, demolition began on the adjacent property to make way for a brand-new building that will include a storefront for the Art from the Heart shop. The studio will also relocate from the organization’s current home at 317 Eighth Street along with offices.
“Not only will it be a state-of-the-art studio in the center of the community it will also provide adaptive tools for artists to continue to grow in skill,” said Morrison.
“The new facility will also house the Nurture and Grow Learning Center,” said Brandon Gress, Executive Director of the Wood County Society. “It will be a state-of-the-art inclusive early childhood development center, building capacity to serve a much larger population by serving a need to both neurotypical and neurodivergent developing youth in the same space,” she said. “By promoting engaging educational opportunities and focusing on developmental milestones, the center will enable youth to live their best life right here at home.”
Those interested in furthering the mission of the Wood County Society and Artbeat Studio can do so through making a donation, volunteering, or contributing supplies. New items can be purchased through the Studio’s Amazon Wishlist, or you can refer to the Studio’s wishlist, which includes:
Elmer’s school glue
Medium and large picture frames, preferably with glass
White card stock (regular 90lb sheets)
Copy paper
Very fine glitter in lime green, bright yellow, blue, purple, orange, and hot pink
White or cream fabrics, including bed sheets, table cloths, and pillow cases
Rags, old towels, old washcloths, micro fiber towels for cleaning metal
Acrylic paint brushes in all sizes
Duct tape
Regular tape measures
Different sizes of paper punch shapes (circles, small/large, flowers, stars, etc.)
All sizes, colors, and style of ribbon
Large clamps
Whether you purchase a piece of artwork, volunteer in the studio, or make a donation, you are contributing to a truly special part of our community. The artists, staff, and volunteers at Artbeat Studio are actively working to make the Mid-Ohio Valley a more colorful, inclusive, and compassionate place, one piece of art at a time!
We are excited to share that Clutch Collective will soon carry a collection of artwork and products from Artbeat Studio! 100% of the proceeds will go back to the studio and its artists. We are proud to support Wood County Society and Artbeat Studio and are excited to bring the artists’ beautiful creations to downtown Marietta.