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Chartered in 1938, the Parkersburg Art Center (PAC) is West Virginia’s oldest cultural agency in continuous operation. The building itself used to house a Montgomery Ward Department store. The PAC has five gallery spaces that display works of artists and crafters in the region and beyond. They also offer year-round art workshops for students of all ages in a wide variety of disciplines, including pottery classes offered in their co-op Clay Studio. The PAC is available to rent as a venue for weddings, receptions, showers, trade-shows, and lectures.

Parkersburg Art Center (Front)

Sky, Property, Window, Building

Parkersburg Art Center

Interior design, Picture frame, Building, Wood

The Parkersburg Art Center was established in the 1930’s but was not incorporated until 1956. The Center acted as a community arts association, but the Board of Trustees decided to pursue expansion into a traditional museum beginning in 1972. It was a few years later that they were able to secure a permanent location, the previous Montgomery Ward Department Store building on Market Street built in 1930. The Board at the time planned on establishing a permanent exhibit schedule, with temporary exhibits, educational events for adults and children, and guided school tours. From then on, they have continued operating as a full gallery and museum, with educational opportunities offered for children and adults.

Center, Parkersburg Art. Our Story, Parkersburg Art Center. Accessed April 19th 2021. https://www.parkersburgartcenter.org/our-story.

Hearings, Reports and Prints of the Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. United States: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1973.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

https://www.parkersburgartcenter.org/our-story

Greater Parkersburg CVB