Laura Dean Bennett
Staff Writer
Last Saturday, local artists, crafters, shopkeepers and musicians welcomed art lovers to downtown Marlinton for the first – but not the last – Marlinton Art Walk.
The sounds of live music echoed from the Discovery Junction stage to the indoor Rivertown stage in the former C.J. Richardson building.
Anne Walker, owner of Handmade WV Market, originated the idea for the Art Walk and Street Jubilee. It was sponsored by Walker, Pocahontas County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Pocahontas County Dramas, Fairs and Festivals.
It takes dedication to the cause and a lot of hard work to bring to life an event such as this.
Walker has, for many years, pursued her vision of promoting the work of local artisans, farmers and craftspeople by providing a shop where they can share the fruits of their labors with visitors and residents alike.
Walker and her daughter, Sherrie, didn’t enter the sidewalk art contest, but they couldn’t help getting “drawn into” the fun. There they were, both crouched down on the sidewalk in front of Discovery Junction, rendering their versions of the contest’s theme: “Summer in the Allegheny Highlands.”
“I’ve just always believed in the special goodness of locally sourced food, and the value of our unique Pocahontas County crafts, art and music,” Walker said.
“It’s a way to benefit our citizens and, at the same time, offer something special to our visitors.
“Look at these people – visitors who are just passing through, families who are looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon – having such a nice time, just sitting here enjoying live music, people watching and spending a little time in our town.”
Walker’s sidewalk painting featured a mountain cabin scene and daughter, Sherrie, created a slice of watermelon.
Free face painting was offered by Aaron Cutlip; and vendors, set up nearby, in front of the Discovery Junction stage included Cheryl Beverage, with her hand-woven baskets, jewelry, ornaments and painted “porch boards;” Lisa Gandry and her handmade quilts; Pocahontas Artisans member Katherine Lehotsky whose charming wildlife paintings bring her animal subjects to life; and Alberto Razo with 3-D printed toys.
Walker had turned a picnic table near the stage into a kids’ art table, where budding artists could experiment with painting and drawing to their hearts content, then take their creations home to be proudly displayed there.
The sidewalk art contest had few rules – the contestants were grouped according to age. They were invited to choose whichever colors of chalk they might need to create their vision of “Summer in the Allegheny Highlands.” Each was given a “block” of sidewalk on which to bring their vision to life and had until 4:30 p.m. to complete it.
The Morrison family, dad Mike, mom Paula, daughter Holley and the family Chihuahua, Ellie May, are from Webster County. They come to Pocahontas County quite often to hike, bike and visit family. They heard about the art contest, and Paula and Holley wasted no time in signing up.
Holley knew immediately that her picture would be of a salamander.
“We spend a lot of time in the Greenbrier River and the creeks when we’re here, and I love seeing the little salamanders,” Holley said.
Her mom favored a fanciful rendition of a mushroom being visited by a butterfly.
Justin Long, along with his wife, Whitney, and their seven year old daughter, Marley, from Rocky Mount, Virginia, came to Pocahontas County to spend a quiet weekend at the Mason Jar Airbnb cabin. They had no idea they were going to be showcasing Justin and Marley’s artistic talents that day.
“We were just riding our bikes through town, heard the music and saw some people here at Discovery Junction and decided to stop and see what was going on,” Long said.
Chalk art contest winners (well, in reality, everyone who entered the contest) were awarded gift certificates to Dari Land and Handmade WV Market – both businesses are situated across from Discovery Junction.
Local musicians entertained visitors who’d stepped out of the sun and into the cool interior of Rivertown. Some explored the shops on the second floor and some stayed to enjoy the refreshment of an Italian soda and perhaps a chicken salad or crab cake sandwich at the Rivertown Café.
All enjoyed the friendly faces and infectious tunes of favorite local musical acts, including Uncle Gary and the Porch Pickers.
“We had a good time, just playing for the folks who happened in,” Sharp said. “We always have a good time playing music together and sharing it with friends, neighbors and visitors,”
With the success of this first year of the Marlinton Art Walk and Rivertown Street Jubilee, it looks like the beginning of a new tradition.
“I’m already putting ideas together for next year,” Walker announced.
“It will be basically the same thing we did this year – art, music, crafts and a sidewalk chalk art contest, with one change. I’d like to hold next year’s event on Memorial Day weekend.
“And hopefully, it will just keep getting bigger and better every year,” she added.
