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First Friday Art Walk displays work of local artists at Pendleton Art Center
Scott Perkins, left, and artist Melanie Osborne talk shop during the First Friday and Second Look Saturday at the Pendleton Art Center, located at 1537 Winchester Ave. in Ashland.
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ASHLAND -- Acrylics, watercolors, carvings and more fill over 40 studios at the Pendleton Art Center in Ashland. This weekend, new visitors and regulars alike checked out the works of area artists during the First Friday Art Walk.
"It's wonderful for the artists in the area. We struggled for a long time to find a venue," said artist Janet Lester, whose paintings line the walls of studio 103.
Lester said she's been painting since she was a child and doing it professionally for more than 20 years. She is one of many who hopes to see the Ashland event continue to grow.
The First Friday Art Walk events are held on the first Friday of every month in Ashland. As past of the event, all of the art studios and museums on Winchester Avenue make it a point to stay open later, from 5 to 9 p.m., so the public can enjoy the local arts community.
Meagan Grisham of Ashland was looking over photos in the Ron Burgess studio on Friday evening. Grisham said she regularly attends the event, and her best friend also has photography on display there.
"I always come out to support my friends," she said.
Grisham said she also enjoyed being able to see what all of the area's artists were up to.
One group of Huntington and Ashland artists, called the Fishbone artist's community, not only enjoys having a place to show their work, but also appreciates the feedback.
"It creates a good interaction between artists and art lovers," said Jason Stewart. "It inspires me to have an art lover come in and say, 'I love this for this reason.'"
The Fishbone studio space, which includes work by Stewart, his wife Christy Stewart, Joe Cox, and Kristi Reeves, is also open to other artists who need somewhere to show their work. The group also offers to create free art for the community, like it has in the past for Huntington's RibFest and children's festival.
"Fishbone basically exists to do art for the betterment of society and also to encourage artists," Jason Stewart said.
Many in the large community at Pendleton Art Center say there is room for more artists. Lester said she'd like to see every space full.
"Artists come and they go. When one leaves, there's usually one that takes his place," she said.
A few studio spaces at the center are currently open, according to Chrissie Smith, manager of the Pendleton Art Center.
Sylvia Jackson said she has had a space since the center opened more than two years ago. She began making watercolors in the 1970s, and some of her work is now on display at the center alongside her husband's wooden jewelry boxes.
"There's so much talent in this area it's unbelievable," Jackson said. "This is a great way for artists to display their work."
The Pendleton Art Center is also open for Second Look Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month. Individuals also may call to make an appointment to see an artist's work.
More information about the Pendleton Art Center is available by calling 606-920-9863 or visiting www.pendletonartcenter.com or www.Firstfridaynews.com.
