The Parkersburg Art Center in Parkersburg, West Virginia, will host an opening reception on January 16, 2025, for two new exhibitions: "Rinse and Repeat: An Exhibit by ArtBeat Studio" and "Rabbit Medicine and Other World-Building" featuring work by Savannah Schroll Guz. The exhibitions run through February 21. "Rinse and Repeat" marks the return of a show that originally opened in March 2020 and closed after just one day, featuring artists from the Wood County Society’s ArtBeat Studio, a collaborative community arts center that supports artists with developmental differences. "Rabbit Medicine and Other World-Building" showcases Guz’s work, which draws on folklore, memory, and imagination, and has been exhibited across the East Coast and Midwest.
These exhibitions matter because they highlight the Parkersburg Art Center's commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and community engagement in the visual arts. The return of the ArtBeat Studio exhibition underscores the resilience of local artists and the importance of adaptive arts programs for individuals with developmental differences. Additionally, the shows provide a platform for regional artists like Savannah Schroll Guz, who represents West Virginia in national projects, and offer opportunities for the public to purchase artwork, supporting the local creative economy.