Clutch Collective, an art retail shop located in downtown Marietta, hosted a pop-up art exhibit by local artist Tim Bennett during Marietta Main Street’s First Friday event on June 2, 2023. “Sound Art” is an exhibit featuring visual art inspired by music and performing artists that includes pieces autographed by the musicians.

Bennett said he had the idea of creating art inspired by the lyrics that spoke to him through music. He started the collection in 2007 and has slowly grown it over time as he’s attended live shows.

“I was able to get paintings signed by being a familiar face at shows,” said Bennett. “I became an instant fan of The Avett Brothers upon first seeing them at the Purple Fiddle in Thomas, WV.” The exhibit features several pieces inspired and signed by The Avett Brothers.

One of Bennett’s favorite pieces is a painting titled “Dear Hate” inspired by the song “The Ballad of Love and Hate” by The Avett Brothers. “When I heard the line ‘Love writes a letter and sends it to hate,’ for the first time this is the image that came to mind,” he said. “I imagined myself as a young boy sending a letter to someone and this is how I would have sent it, as a paper airplane. I realize that would have been very unreliable, but that’s one of the things that is fun about art.” Bennett said the three clouds in this painting represent the original three members of the band (Scott and Seth Avett and Bob Crawford).

“All of the paintings have stories and memories attached. The ultimate goal of painting, then having the paintings signed by the artist that inspired the piece was something I had never seen before and I wanted to make it a show.”

When Bennett had “Sour Cherry” signed by Doc Watson at the Down Home in Johnson City Tennessee, he said it was a memorable moment. “I asked, maybe the owner or manager, if maybe we could get Doc Watson to sign my art. Long story short, I was able to go backstage before the show and as I stood in the doorway I heard Doc say, “Well come on son I gotta get in tune.” Then he held the top of the paint pen as his nephew, who also played with Doc, helped him sign his name,” he said. “It’s not easy trying to get someone with no eyesight to sign something but that’s why I also painted braille on the canvas so Doc could feel the art.”

Bennett said most of his success in getting his work signed by the various artists who inspired the work is a result of being an early and long-term fan. “A lot of my pieces got signed before they were selling out large theaters,” he said. Being a genuine person and connecting with the crew has helped, too. “I have gifted paintings to several people within the band and staff. Artists may not always know your name but most will recognize a face that has been looking back at them for years from the crowd.” He said he used to exchange emails with Scott Avett.

Bennett said this might be the only time he shows the set as a collective group. “I have enjoyed them for years and I feel like it’s time to send them down the road for someone else to enjoy.”

A lover of live music, traveling, coffee and great food, Bennett said he creates when he feels inspired, but that inspiration comes in many forms. He, along with his wife and daughter, has a traveling food blog on Instagram (@wanderlustfoodies). “I get great enjoyment out of watching others live out their dreams, like my wife making pottery (also on Instagram, as @evathrows) or my daughter Ana with her passion for theatre and performing. I’m sure I will continue to paint but unsure if I will continue this series as I feel it narrows my audience.”

“We were very excited to feature Tim’s collection as a pop-up exhibit,” said Clutch Collective owner, Sarah Arnold. “Being able to host a local artist’s body of work and share it with the community is why we do what we do – this is our mission, to celebrate our local creativity.”

The exhibit was on display from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at Clutch Collective during June’s First Friday Art Walk. Anyone unable to attend who would like to see more of Tim’s work is invited to connect with Tim on Facebook (/timbuur) or Instagram (@timburr).

Clutch Collective is an art retail shop located in downtown Marietta celebrating culture, community, and creativity in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Open since November 2021, the shop is open seven days a week at 152 Front Street.