Work on a new collaborative mural in Belpre has begun

Last weekend, volunteers gathered at the Barclay Street Tunnel near Belpre High School ready to paint. Their mission? To create a colorful new mural as part of the Brighten Belpre Mural Project, which is a collaborative effort to enhance community spaces through art installations.

Reed Byers is one of the coordinators for Brighten Belpre. For him, this mural means bringing the community together to do something positive – through supporting arts and culture, and in turn, economic development.

“With the explosion of murals in Marietta and Downtown Parkersburg (GoodSpace, the CVB, Wood County Society, the Floodwall, etc.) I felt like it was Belpre’s turn to brighten their community,” said Byers. “Downtown MOV has so much potential and it’s vital we continue to attract and retain citizens locally. I thought this would be a great way to continue to support the collaborative arts efforts happening in the Mid-Ohio Valley.”

I’ve always wanted to do something with this tunnel by the school. So when Reed contacted me about wanting to do a mural, I jumped at the opportunity.

Chad Stevens

More than a dozen volunteers participated on Saturday, April 23^rd, after the tunnel’s surface had been prepped the previous week. Marvin Edwards, owner of Maka Mia Pizza in Parkersburg, provided lunch for everyone on site.

“It’s a beautiful day to make some art!” said Chad Stevens on Saturday. “I’ve always wanted to do something with this tunnel by the school. So when Reed contacted me about wanting to do a mural, I jumped at the opportunity.”

Stevens said students at Belpre High School were asked to come up with possible designs, which were then shared with the community for input. Organizers chose the design the community most responded to, featuring bright sunflowers against blue skies.

“The design is by Katie Woodford, a 10^th grader at BHS,” said Stevens. “She would be here painting today, but she has softball games,” he said. Stevens said he plans to bring groups of students back to paint once the mural is underway. “The community is definitely excited to see this busy little tunnel brighten up!”

I’d like to see more art events like this all over the area. It’s also helping to build up the local art community, which makes me feel incredibly supported as an artist.

Rebekah Williamson

Organizers reached out to community organizations and residents for support in covering materials and preparation costs. Donations came in from the Belpre Rotary Club, Belpre Women’s Club, Mario and Kelli Coon, Bob Rauch, Jennifer Buzzard, Mayor Mike Lorentz, Connie Miller, Fire Chief Tony Cronin, and the Belpre Police Department. Edward Escandon generously donated his time, resources, and expertise to help prepare the tunnel for painting. Local artist Rebekah Williamson also helped extensively with prep work.

Williamson said she became involved after talking with Byers and Stevens about their shared desire to make public art spaces a more common theme in the Mid-Ohio Valley. “This mural benefits the community by making it more beautiful and the whole process has engaged young artists and is bringing people in the community together with a common goal,” she said.

“I’d like to see more art events like this all over the area. It’s also helping to build up the local art community, which makes me feel incredibly supported as an artist,” she said.

Work continues on the mural this Saturday, April 30^th, beginning at 9:00 am. Those interested in painting are welcome to meet at the Barclay Street Tunnel to join in the fun.

“I love community projects,” said Williamson. “I brought four friends with me and the connections that were made between all of us who were there have opened doors for grant research/writing, future community projects, and a real sense of camaraderie as we all painted, sang, and laughed together. I’ve enjoyed every moment.”

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Marietta Community Foundation Matches Funds for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Washington County

As the Washington County, Ohio affiliate for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL), Marietta Community Foundation is committed to putting books into the hands and hearts of children from all across Washington County. In order to help increase the program’s capacity, the Foundation is encouraging all parents with children under 5 to enroll and launched a $20,000 “Match the Imagination” fundraising campaign. Through this campaign, the Foundation is matching donations to the Washington County Imagination Library fund to help support the influx of enrollment costs.

“We’re passionate about the program and want every single child in Washington County to be able to register,” said Heather Allender, President & CEO of Marietta Community Foundation. “Far too often we have to inform a parent that we’re trying to solidify funding to register their child. We’re hoping that matching support from the community dollar-for-dollar will allow the fund to support the program’s growth.”

The raised funds will be used to cover the influx of enrollment costs and grow the fund to ensure the program’s overall sustainability — working to ensure that local children are able to enjoy a new book each month, regardless of their family’s financial ability.

This program is made available to families at no cost by donors to the Washington County Imagination Library fund at Marietta Community Foundation, and the organization’s partnership with the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library (OGIL) program.

“The Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library is providing a lot of support right now by covering affiliate’s costs in January and February of 2022,” said Allender. “They see the value in growing the program, so if Washington County shows significant progress during that time, OGIL will cover the month of March too.”

Every child in Washington County is eligible to take advantage of this program.

A gift of $25 will provide books for one child for one year. A gift of $125 will provide one child with books for 5 years — from birth until age 5.

Since the Foundation announced its “Match the Imagination” Campaign in early February, the Foundation has reached and exceeded its initial goal of $20,000, and has increased its match to up to $30,000. Major contributions included a $10,000 donation from Tri-State Roofing and Sheet Metal Company in partnership with the Spartan Foundation and a $10,000 contribution from the Marietta Friends of the Washington County Public Library.

“The most important form of education is self-education. The foundation for self-education is reading,” said Hap Esbenshade, Chairman and CEO of Tri-State Roofing and Sheet Metal Company and President of the Spartan Foundation.

“The amount of support received so far from community members, Tri-State Roofing and Sheet Metal Company, and the Spartan Foundation is a symbol of the Imagination Library’s substantial value,” said Allender. “Every child in Washington County is eligible to take advantage of this program, and these raised funds are the only reason that we can support them doing so.”

Voting to donate again to the Imagination Library Fund was an easy decision for [our] board.

The Friends of the Library had previously contributed $10,000 toward a matching campaign for the Imagination Library in 2019. “Voting to donate again to the Imagination Library Fund was an easy decision for [our] board,” said Sarah Stephens, President of the Marietta Friends of the Library. “We always welcome requests for funds that encourage the love of reading in children.”

The fund has also received support from the community, receiving dozens of donations towards the match. Allender shared her excitement about exceeding the campaign goal and is now encouraging the community to keep the momentum going.

“Initially, our hope was to increase program registrations and be able to cover the influx of enrollment costs without scrambling to secure funding,” she said. “We felt that $20,000 was adequate to eliminate the waitlist for a little while, but knew that more fundraising would be needed down the road. The community has really stepped up, and the Foundation is proud to announce that we will be capitalizing on this momentum by increasing our match to up to $30,000.”

The Foundation’s increased match brings the running total to $47,616 toward the Washington County Imagination Library fund, as of February 18th.

Donations will continue to be matched 1:1 until $30,000 has been raised. Gifts can be made online at https://mcfohio.betterworld.org/campaigns/matchtheimagination. Donations via checks are also welcomed. Checks can be sent to Marietta Community Foundation, 100 Putnam Street Marietta, OH 45750, and should include Match the Imagination in the memo.

Children who reside in Washington County can be enrolled in the program through the Ohio Governors Imagination Library website, https://ohioimaginationlibrary.org, or by filling out a form at the Foundation’s office.

The post Match the Imagination appeared first on Clutch MOV.

Oyo Releases Debut Album on February 8

Throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley, local band Oyo has been making a name for itself playing local festivals and performing lively shows in the back of JustAJar Design Press in Marietta and in the front of the Parkersburg Brewing Co. in Parkersburg. Now, the band is excited to release their self-titled debut album on February 8, followed by a celebratory release party at the Adelphia Music Hall on February 11.

Featuring traditional acoustic instrumentation, driving rhythm, and poignant lyricism, Oyo trades off lead vocals between Aaron Martin (fiddle, mandolin), Cole Adair (guitar) and Michael Bond (guitar, keys, harmonica, spoons), with Bobby Rosenstock (banjo), Drew Tanner (bass), and Joe Ryckebosch (drums, washboard) joining in.

The long-awaited album was recorded in the sanctuary of an abandoned church in Elkins, West Virginia, by Ben Townsend of Questionable Records, and mixed and mastered by Michael Bond at Datawaslost Studios in Marietta. Special guests include Heather Hannah on background vocals, Andrew Gilmer on dobro, Ben Townsend on fiddle, and Read Connolly on pedal steel. Album artwork was created by band members Bobby Rosenstock and Joe Ryckebosch, with photography by Shannon Brown.

Born on the banks of the Ohio

Born on the banks of the Ohio River, Oyo (pronounced OH-yo) is a dynamic six-piece Appalachian roots band that formed from jam sessions in the back of Rosenstock’s shop, JustAJar. Gathered around a single mic, the band’s high-energy performances are equal parts honky-tonk and barn dance, with an indie rock undercurrent that guarantees to bring listeners to their feet.

Oyo take their name from the Iroquois word for the Ohio, meaning “beautiful river.” Like that big muddy river, Oyo is fed by many influences and tributaries upstream: folk, bluegrass, old-school country, and rock & roll.

“On the way to practice, Aaron and I both drive past the West Virginia historic marker by the bridge in Williamstown that references how Ohio’s name is rooted in the Iroquois name for the river, Oyo, or ‘beautiful river,’” said Tanner. “In addition to the local roots and sense of place we try to embody, it’s also emblematic of the various influences and ‘tributaries’ that feed our sound.”

Even throughout the pandemic, the band continued to meet almost weekly for practice, which was only possible because they were an acoustic group and could rehearse outdoors. Tanner attributes their success as a group to their persistence.

It’s been gratifying to see the week-in-week-out work on developing our sound and original songs that people enjoy hearing growing into invitations to play at some of our favorite places and events.

Drew Tanner

“Somehow, six working family guys have made near-weekly practices work for over four years,” he said. “It’s been gratifying to see the week-in-week-out work on developing our sound and original songs that people enjoy hearing growing into invitations to play at some of our favorite places and events. But it’s also fun to keep bringing it back to where it all started, at JustAJar, on a First Friday.”

As jam sessions transitioned to paid gigs, the band began booking larger events and growing their local reach. “I think everybody in the band wanted to be part of the bigger, regionally connected music scene,” said Adair. “At some point, we just thought, well, why are we doing this? What’s the goal here? Next thing you know, free lobsters,” he said, referencing the Marietta Morning Rotary’s popular Tails & Ales event.

With so many talented local musicians in the area, the Mid-Ohio Valley’s music scene has blossomed in recent years. “We really enjoy not only performing with other local bands but seeing them trying to put different things together,” said Adair. “We are pretty regionally based, so we’ve played with nearly everybody touching our genre.”

We’d be fools not to do our best to fill these beautiful rooms with fun times.

Michael Bond

The range of local venues supporting local musicians has contributed to the thriving MOV music community. “I was talking to a friend this morning, and he told me how jealous he was of the quality of venues here,” said Bond. “From the Adelphia at 200 capacity to the Peoples Bank Theatre at 900 capacity. He’s in a city 30x our size and wishing they had similar options that support local music. We’d be fools not to do our best to fill these beautiful rooms with fun times.”

As an acoustic group, Oyo (or, occasionally “The Free Lobster Boys”) has been able to be a bit more flexible, especially during COVID. “Being an acoustic band gives us a few more options of places to play other than your typical venues,” said Martin. During the pandemic, Oyo hosted free concerts in the gazebo of East Muskingum Park and played outdoor venues, including the Valley Gem Sternwheeler. The band is excited to see their calendar begin to fill up with live performances once again.

An original sound

While most would describe Oyo’s sound as Americana or Folk, each member of their band brings their own influences and unique perspective into the mix. Martin, whose primary influences include Neil Young, The Band, Paul Simon, and Tony Rice, describes their sound as “folk music with drums.”

Ryckebosch, whose influences include REM, Stone Roses, and the Ramones, said he likes to try to sneak as much punk and indie into the band as he can. “I think the band’s sound is reminiscent of traditional bluegrass and Americana, but with unexpected twist,” he said. “The use of keys and drums gives it an unexpected feel; I think has a more complex and propulsive feel to it. From a drummer’s standpoint, it sort of reminds of a ‘Ramones gone bluegrass.’ I’m not playing punk blast-beats, but it feels pretty damn close to it with the fast-paced country shuffle, which is often employed.”

“We probably fit in the Americana genre but I think we have a pretty unique sound. We all come from different musical backgrounds and we have three songwriters/singers in the band giving us a nice mix of original songs,” said Rosenstock, whose influences include The Boss (Bruce Springsteen), Grateful Dead, John Hardford, Doc Watson, and Louie Armstrong.

Bond says he listens to a lot of different stuff, from noisy garage rock to R&B and reggae. “In the past, I’ve played in bands that leaned more towards indie rock and electronic, beat-heavy sounds – there are even CDs with me rapping out there, if I haven’t successfully destroyed them all,” he said.

Growing up, my older brothers were cranking new wave, 80s rock, and early alternative, while my dad was listening to blues and classic rock, and mom listened to gospel.

Drew Tanner

With Oyo, Bond said he tried to focus on the sound of the “gone country” records that his favorite rockers put out in the 60s and 70s. “Stuff like Sweetheart of the Rodeo, Beggars Banquet, Muswell Hillbillies, and Tumbleweed Connection.”

Tanner said it’s fun to hear the wide variety of influences that they bring into their songs. “Growing up, my older brothers were cranking new wave, 80s rock, and early alternative, while my dad was listening to blues and classic rock, and mom listened to gospel,” he said. “Before moving to the MOV, I was managing the Pocahontas County Opera House, in a part of West Virginia where Appalachian traditional music and bluegrass runs deep. As a result, my own tastes and what I seek out are kind of all over the place.”

Lately, Tanner’s playlists have included The Wood Brothers, Lake Street Dive, Pokey LaFarge, Odesza, and Rainbow Kitten Surprise – to name a few. “This is why they keep me in the back corner of the stage,” he joked.

Deep in the West Virginian Mountains

As their list of original songs grew, it was time for Oyo to record its first album. “Michael and Aaron are always cranking out new stuff so if we don’t get it down, we may forget it,” said Adair.

The band decided to work with Ben Townsend of Questionable Records in Elkins, West Virginia. “Ben is a super talented, multi-instrumentalist originally from Hampshire County,” said Martin. “He was also in the well-known West Virginia band, The Fox Hunt.” A few years back, Townsend bought an abandoned church and converted it into a recording studio. “We all thought highly of Ben and knew that the space would be perfect to capture our live sound.”

The entire album was recorded in just three days. “We set up Friday night, got the instruments setup and ready and started early(ish) Saturday,” said Adair. “We recorded all the instruments that day and came back Sunday and did all the vocals as Michael finished writing songs for the album. It didn’t take long for Ben to have a well-mixed cut. Then Michael took over the mixing and mastering (and also decided to release a life enriching app which we aren’t allowed to mention here.) The experience could not have been more fun. The church was perfect for what we were trying to do.”

Bond said it was important to capture the live feel of the band and for the listener to feel like they’re there in the room with them playing. “With the exception of vocals, nearly everything on the album was recorded live as a group. Most everything you hear is a first or second take, and I think that energy comes through in the recordings,” he said.

It was a nice mix of songs we’d refined for months with fresher songs that we were still figuring out.

Michael Bond

Oyo’s self-titled debut album features twelve original songs by Aaron Martin and Michael Bond that take the listener on a sonic road trip through the West Virginia mountains to the Deep South, the American West, and points beyond. Along the way, they encounter the heartache of complicated relationships and the ecstasy of connection, all while capturing the raucous energy of their live performances and distinctive sound.

“It was a nice mix of songs we’d refined for months with fresher songs that we were still figuring out,” said Bond. “That was probably the third time we’d played ‘Back Here Again’ together, and it sounds great. There’s also tracks like ‘Old Friend,’ where Ben’s fiddle brought a whole new dimension to a song that we’ve been playing for years.”

Music that feels like home

For long-time fans and first time listeners alike, the album feels familiar and sounds like home. Maybe it’s because the music feels close – as though you are in the room watching the group squeeze in around the mic, or because you remember the last time you heard ‘My Kind’ you were dancing on a riverboat with friends.

“This was my first time recording an album, so the whole experience was pretty exciting,” said Rosenstock. “I enjoyed watching Michael write the lyrics to Waste Your Time an hour before we recorded it. We wanted to capture some of the energy and spontaneity of our live shows and I think we did that on this record.”

The group’s energy certainly comes through, especially in tracks like ‘Roads,’ ‘Jones Avenue’, and ‘Don’t Be Gone.’ It’s so infectious you’ll find your feet tapping along, itching to get up and dance. “Jones Avenue was one that was fun because it was still relatively new to the group,” said Martin. “On ‘Old Friend,’ it was cool to watch Ben Townsend improvise on this jam, he is an excellent West Virginia fiddle player.”

Tanner agreed. “Jones Avenue and Waste Your Time were fun. They were new and fresh while we were in the studio, and there was a lot of energy going into figuring them out as a band in the moment. While the lyrics pack a lot of longing, Jones Avenue feels like a party when we’re playing it. And Waste Your Time has a great break in the middle where we kind of stretch out the time for a moment in a way that doesn’t usually happen in our other songs.”

Oyo’s debut album earns top marks in storytelling, but it’s the loose, ‘gather-round-now-y’all’ energy that sets it apart.

Heading into the third year of a global pandemic, tracks like ‘Light in You’ and ‘Old Friend’ take the edge off the loneliness of winter with lyrical optimism, while ‘Santa Fe’ hooks you in gut and takes you back in time, much in the spirit of Josh Ritter’s haunting song stories. Oyo’s debut album earns top marks in storytelling, but it’s the loose, ‘gather-round-now-y’all’ energy that sets it apart.

Ryckebosch said his favorite song to record was ‘Rambler’ due to the changes they made to is just weeks prior to recording. “I feel it dramatically improved the song, and it was fun to come up with an entirely different rhythmic structure,” he said. “Stuff like that is cool, because it is still fresh in your head and you are excited to see how it translates into a recording situation.”

In the age of information and endless streaming access, it’s all the more important to support our local musicians and live music venues. “It’s important to support all art, not just live music. But live music has a way of bringing people together,” said Martin. “I feel like that is so needed right now. People are feeling this anxiety and depression from the past couple of years. Live music is beautiful and everyone  could use a bit of that right now.”

If you show up to one of our shows looking for a good time, you’re going to find it, whether it’s here where we live or in front of strangers hundreds of miles away.

Michael Bond

The diversity of music available here in the Mid-Ohio Valley is wide and bands like Oyo contribute to an ever-evolving community of local music dotting the shores of the Ohio River. “There’s so much music and so many sounds that are being made, you’d be surprised how good local music feels,” said Adair.

Local music doesn’t need to stay local, though. “It’s kind of nice to be in a band that’s never had to explain itself much,” said Bond. “If you show up to one of our shows looking for a good time, you’re going to find it, whether it’s here where we live or in front of strangers hundreds of miles away.”

“There’s a connection and energy that happens at a live show that you just don’t get when streaming music on your phone or in your car,” said Tanner. “And there are so many talented musicians in the MOV creating new, original music that’s worth seeking out and discovering.”

Listen to singles ‘Rambler,’ ‘My Kind,’ and ‘Don’t Be Gone Too Long’ now on Spotify and Soundcloud!

Oyo’s debut self-titled album will be available to stream in full on February 8^th on Spotify and Bandcamp and available for purchase on CD in JustAJar and Clutch Collective in downtown Marietta. Join Oyo for their album release party at The Adelphia Music Hall on February 11 with special guest Drift Mouth!

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Ice Sculptor Tyson Whistler Prepares for Marietta’s Ice Festival

After much anticipation, the  Marietta Ice Festival  returns this Saturday, January 15^th as part of Marietta Main Street’s winter schedule. Now a standalone event sponsored by We Lov Pets in Marietta, the Ice Festival features expertly carved ice sculptures on display throughout downtown and a live carving at the Armory on Front Street. While much coordination goes into putting on this event each year, its success centers on the artistic vision and creation of one local artist.

Tyson Whistler began carving ice over sixteen years ago, teaching himself new techniques and using each sculpture as a learning experience. He started by purchasing a few blocks of ice a year to carve for holidays and special events. Now, he has his own freezer, block-making machine, an arsenal of saws, tools, and bits, along with his own business: Whistler Ice Works.

A few years ago, Whistler made an investment in professional equipment to create a more workable ‘ice shop’, opening up a world of opportunities. Since then, he has worked on improving his precision and quality to ensure his work always leaves an impression.

The success of the sculptures is becoming a little more well-known each year, and this past year commissions were becoming so consistent that I decided to make a business out of it.

“In July of 2021, I officially started my website for Whistler Ice Works!” said Whistler. “The success of the sculptures is becoming a little more well-known each year, and this past year commissions were becoming so consistent that I decided to make a business out of it.” Whistler Ice Works creates customized ice for corporate and private parties, restaurants, events – any event where a custom ice sculpture, luge, or craft ice can be utilized to create a wow factor for guests.

Despite the growth of his business and increasing list of commissions, Whistler says he always looks forward to the Marietta Ice Festival each year – an event he helped dream up back in 2016.

“The Ice Festival is a unique day in Marietta where our community can come enjoy our downtown area and travel up and down the blocks finding a different styled sculpture at each location,” he said. “I look forward to the new challenge of ideas each year. Though many sponsors just want their logo carved, I try to incorporate new designs into them along with new, different sculptures I haven’t before attempted.”

This will be the sixth year that Tyson has created most, if not all, of the ice sculptures for the Ice Festival, formerly the Fire and Ice Festival held the First Friday in January. Each sculpture begins as a 300 lb. block of ice that will eventually be chiseled and carved down into its final form. To map out his designs, Whistler uses a projector to draw a template for each piece on tracing paper that is sized and frozen onto the ice before carving, allowing him to move more quickly. This technique also allows Whistler to create more elaborate designs, especially those requiring more than one block of ice.

“Each sculpture has its parts of difficulty,” said Whistler. “The weather is the most frustrating aspect of the whole event. The week after Christmas we had 60s, rain, and humidity, followed by 30s and 20s for a few days, then back to rain and temperatures in the mid 40s.”  Whistler said he most enjoys carving in temperatures around the 20s and 30s as the ice carves smoothly and doesn’t turn into slush when detailing. “The most challenging is always the live sculpture. Carving in front of a crowd outside the comforts of my home carving garage; mistakes can’t be made, and again the weather forces plan adjustments,” he said. 

Any carving with feathers or scales always is a crowd pleaser!

Of the twenty designs for this year’s festival, Whistler has a hard time choosing just one favorite. “A mermaid was brought up earlier this year from a friend, I thought that was a cool idea and put it on the design list. I’m excited to try this one out but carving human form is very difficult,” he said. “I’m also very excited about the owl and dragon – the owl came out so beautiful and I will be starting the dragon later this week. Any carving with feathers or scales always is a crowd pleaser!”

Each year, Whistler begins producing ice in October as it takes 2 ½ days to produce one 300 lb. clear carving block. Often, more than 20 blocks are needed, assuming there are no breaks. Carving starts three weeks prior to the event date. The week-of is non-stop carving, detailing, and transporting. “Transporting the ice is the most stressful part of it all, and is where most of the breaks can happen,” said Whistler.

Despite the stress that comes with working with an unpredictable medium, Whistler said he enjoys working with ice over more permanent materials, like wood. He appreciates the way the ice captures and reflects light and the way it transforms as it melts, glistening as it returns to its liquid form and ultimately, back to the earth.

While many professional sculptors now use CNC milling machines for most of their carving process, Whistler strives to achieve the same polished look and complex designs using only hand-operated tools. It’s hard work, but he’s up to the challenge and uses each opportunity to further develop his skills.

The Ice Festival has attracted many to our community in the month of January, each year we meet and look for ways to make the event more of a festival than an art show.

“I have used new tools and knowledge quite a bit this year,” said Whistler. “With the amount of logos requested this year, my goal was to make them bigger and taller while still using one block of ice for each sculpture. Many sculptures will be fused together onsite at each location. For this to work, each piece must be perfectly level and the weather must cooperate.”

New to the festival this year are a number of interactive ice sculptures. “The Ice Festival has attracted many to our community in the month of January, each year we meet and look for ways to make the event more of a festival than an art show,” said Whistler. “This year we have added an ice photo wall where you can get your picture taken through the ice wall, a 3 foot interactive ice chess set, and a hand-built wooden Skeeball machine where one can throw ice balls instead of Skeeballs and try your aim at sinking a bullseye.”

Carving so many sculptures is a big job for one person, but Whistler continues to rise to the challenge each year. “It’s awesome to have the opportunity to put on a unique display of art throughout downtown and give the community an opportunity to see something they may never have seen before with a medium that is very mesmerizing.”

Nineteen pre-carved ice sculptures will be on display throughout downtown from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 15^th, each a unique design inspired by the sponsoring business or an important cause. Visitors can admire several on the Armory Lawn. In addition to the pieces carved in advance, Whistler will do a live carving on the Armory Lawn throughout the afternoon, sponsored by We Lov Pets.

I feel like we are so lucky to have this wonderful event in our backyard and our goal is to be on board and help this event grow!

“We Lov Pets had a sculpture last year at the Ice Festival and we were hooked!” said Adam Johnson, General Manager of We Lov Pets in Marietta. “I was absolutely blown away at the skill level of Tyson. I feel like we are so lucky to have this wonderful event in our backyard and our goal is to be on board and help this event grow!”

After Saturday, Whistler will be back to work, carving for a brand new Ice Festival taking place in Gallipolis, OH next month. Inspired by Marietta’s growing festival, Gallipolis contacted Whistler to have him assist in establishing a similar event in their community.

“We have many outside visitors come into town each year just for the festival,” said Whistler. “David Moore with Gallia-Vinton Educational Services Center from Gallipolis area enjoyed our show so much he wanted to bring an ice show to his home town for his community. We met this summer and discussed some options, and after a meeting with the board the event was set!”

The Gallipolis Ice Show will feature ten sculptures including one live sculpture demonstration on February 19th, 2022.

Clutch MOV is proud to be the official Media Sponsor of this year’s Marietta Ice Festival, and one of Tyson’s incredible sculptures! Head downtown this Saturday to see our ice sculpture, seen above as Tyson carves finishing touches, in front of our new shop at 152 Front Street. Tag your photos of this year’s Ice Festival with #livelovemov to share with us!

The post Tyson Whistler Carves for the Community appeared first on Clutch MOV.

Downtown Marietta is kicking off the new year with First Friday and many businesses will be open late for the festivities. First Fridays are monthly themed events hosted by Marietta Main Street featuring extended shopping hours and fun activities for families to enjoy downtown. This month’s theme is Jammie Jam and the community is encouraged to dress in their most comfy pajamas before heading to town to shop!

“As always we have a great lineup of businesses participating and there’s something for everyone to do and experience downtown,” said Aleece Dye, Marietta Main Street Board President.

From 5:00 to 9:00 pm this Friday, visitors can enjoy sales, special promotions and live music.  Some shops such as Teri Ann’s and Sugar Maple Boutique on Front Street will feature big sales, while others such as Hive Alive will introduce new art and unique products. Participating restaurants and bars will offer new menu items or special drinks that will add a warm touch to the winter evening.

First Friday is a great opportunity to enjoy free live music, and performers will be hosted at several downtown businesses including Just a Jar Design Press, Jeremiah’s Coffee House, Wit & Whimzy and Over the Moon Pub and Pizza. 

“We are excited for the first event of the new year, and we’ll be hosting Vincenzo Mele and Jason Feathers performing duo. Everyone wearing pajamas will receive a 10% discount and we’ll have a clearance table with more bargains,” said Laura Pytlik, owner of Wit & Whimzy. “For people who may not be able to get downtown during the week, First Fridays are a great opportunity to discover a new shop or restaurant.”

Artsbridge will also be set up inside Jeremiah’s Coffee House to provide free sleep masks for people of all ages to decorate and take home.

“It’s especially important this time of year to support our downtown businesses after the holiday season when retail can be much slower,” said Dye. “They’re still not back 100% from the pandemic and it’s important we show them as much love as possible all year long.”

The post A New Year of First Fridays Kicks Off appeared first on Clutch MOV.

GoodSpace Murals Installed New Mural in Downtown Parkersburg

This month, the corner of 8^th and Market Streets in Downtown Parkersburg came to life with the installation of a vibrant new mural. Designed by Greta McLain of GoodSpace Murals in collaboration with the Parkersburg community, the colorful collage includes images of local landmarks and people inspired by local residents. Stretching out alongside the Parkersburg Art Center, the mural is over 50 feet wide and 30 feet tall – but even more impressive than its size is the fact that more than 300 members of the community participated in its evolution.

“The mural represents the people of our community and what we aspire to be,” said Jessie Siefert, managing and education director at the Parkersburg Art Center, who first had the dream to bring GoodSpace Murals to Parkersburg. “There are references to our arts district, river history and historical buildings, but also elements that reflect our culture like the quilts, heritage textiles, and rainbow flag. The colors are warm and embracing – just as this community can be.”

Getting to know Parkersburg

This community-wide arts effort kicked off this summer with a brainstorming and listening lunch hosted by the Arts Collaborative of the MOV, housed under WVU Parkersburg. McLain, muralist, owner and artistic director of GoodSpace Murals, asked the community to respond to a series of questions reflecting on what they love most about their city and their hopes and dreams for Parkersburg’s future. McLain said this dialogue was key and part of GoodSpace Mural’s deep community engagement process.

“We don’t come in with any preconceived ideas, or we try not to, before doing a project,” said McLain. In addition to the community event, McLain and her team had preliminary conversations with a variety of local stakeholders, organized by Senta Goudy, Dean for Civic Engagement and Innovation at WVU Parkersburg, and Siefert, asking the same questions: what do you love about Parkersburg, what are your hopes and dreams for Parkersburg, and what would you like to change about Parkersburg?

We wanted this to be about the arts and our history but we did not want the mural just to represent one artist or even a committee, we wanted it to reflect the community as a whole and look towards a future that engages all.

“We had conversations with the Rotary Club, with the Zion Baptist Church, with local historians, with local youth and college students, and community members, and the board of the Art Center and the Actors Guild – so many people,” said McLain.

“Greta’s process involves interviewing people throughout the community and drilling down what is meaningful and important to them: what their aspirations are for the future and what elements of the past are worth celebrating and building upon,” said Siefert. “We wanted this to be about the arts and our history but we did not want the mural just to represent one artist or even a committee, we wanted it to reflect the community as a whole and look towards a future that engages all.”

Pen to Paper, Paint to Wall

From those conversations, McLain and her team developed their first mock up and presented it to a panel of engaged stakeholders. “I received a lot of feedback and there were a lot of things to edit – which is so amazing, because it really indicates that the folks hiring us to work with them were really engaged in this process and really wanted it to be right.”

After much back and forth, McLain and her team landed on their sketch and arrived back in Parkersburg mid-September with panels projected and pre-marked as a giant paint-by-number.

We also got to build these relationships and have this shared time that is now embedded in this mural.

“We use an indirect mural technique in which the whole mural is painted on synthetic canvas first and then installed like permanent wallpaper,” said McLain. “Our painting technique or style is kind of like an impressionistic, brushy, handmade kind of painted style that requires an underpainting. So we invited the community to attend these different community paint parties and open studio time to come and lay down that base for us.”

McLain said over 300 people came through to help paint over 2,200 square feet of mural in just one week and it was great to see the community take ownership of the project. “We also got to build these relationships and have this shared time that is now embedded in this mural.”

From there, McLain completed the overpainting in the studio set up in the annex building next to the Actors Guild. Once painting was complete, they installed each panel – all 88 of them – as if it was wallpaper and painted over it, so that no seams show through.

McLain said the paint-by-number technique hits a sweet spot in that the process encourages some level of coordination between participants, and can be somewhat of a challenge to complete, but also allows for those not interested in socializing to participate – and participants can’t mess it up, they can only help the process, which turns out to be really fun.

It felt like the community really embraced and gave magic to this community process and to what this mural could be that was so much more than a visual.

Participation from the community exceeded McLain’s expectations, which she attributes in part to the strong relationships and networks between arts organizations in Parkersburg. “In our very first paint party, we had over 150 people, which really spoke to the work of this core group of arts organizations, who have been doing such great work, that people heard about the paint party and without knowing what to expect, trusted the organizations to come out and get involved.”

Apart from painting, the team also experienced the support from the community throughout the project in other ways. From meals being provided, to folks checking in and asking if they needed anything and passersby cheering on from their cars, McLain said it was beautiful and not their experience in every place.

“It felt like the community really embraced and gave magic to this community process and to what this mural could be that was so much more than a visual.”

A portrait of Parkersburg

The mural itself is full of movement, music, life, and laughter. It is impossible not to smile while appreciating the art. While some of the imagery is easily recognizable, such as the red-bricked façade of the Blennerhassett Hotel, others are more abstract and representational. Color and pattern swirl around the smiling figures, friendly dogs, buildings, and butterflies.

It was amazing to hear about the strength of the community theater and the Art Center, and how Parkersburg is harnessing that in city planning.

Listening to the community’s reflections, McLain said it was apparent how strong the arts are in the vision for where Parkersburg is going. “It was amazing to hear about the strength of the community theater and the Art Center, and how Parkersburg is harnessing that in city planning and seeing the power of art to revitalize a town,” she said. “There is also this feeling of pride and history. I heard a lot about pieces of history that were unseen or under celebrated.”

One example is the Sumner School. Established in January of 1862, the Sumner High School in Parkersburg was the first free school south of the Mason-Dixon Line and was established two years before West Virginia had a public school system. Sumner School once served the entire Parkersburg black community, grades 1-12, before closing in 1955.

“I had conversations with community members that actually attended the school,” said McLain. “It’s an incredible piece of history and it’s located right in Parkersburg. Through research, we actually found some murals in Kansas that showed the school because it’s a celebrated piece of African American History. It’s right here in Parkersburg and not everyone knows about it.” The Sumner School can be seen in the mural embedded on the shirt of the central figure.

McLain also heard from members of the community a desire for there to be more cultural and ethnic diversity in the town, and that some communities of color did not always feel welcomed or considered. “I also heard from a lot of youth that they don’t see themselves spending their early 20s and 30s in a place like Parkersburg, like Parkersburg is a good place to raise a family, but there are a lot of people that feel like there’s nothing for them to do, there’s no hip youth theme here, or it could be bigger.”

It feels like Parkersburg is this beautiful jewel of potential. I love it.

She also said that everyone she spoke with commented on how drugs have ravaged West Virginia and the Mid-Ohio Valley region, and the desire to shift how the community is seen so that it can heal and move in a different direction.

“So I wanted to lift up this vision of where Parkersburg can go. And through the making of it, I met so many hip, fun people that are really embedded in creating that vision and it feels like Parkersburg is this beautiful jewel of potential. I love it.”

The mural both reflects the city as it is, and nods to its potential to become even more. This balance between reality and aspiration is one that McLain values very much.

“It’s really important that people see themselves in the wall and can identify and say, ‘oh, that person’s like me, or there’s a dog like mine’ – there has to be an invitation in.” If it’s too future forward, there’s not an invitation or an opportunity to claim that we are seeing this future together and that we are all invited together.”

McLain said that even though the mural reflects some of the community’s aspirations, there is nothing depicted in the mural that does not already exist in Parkersburg. Each element is rooted what residents today experience in the city.

“I met the owners of Los Agaves and got to experience how they see their rich and diverse Latin American community there because they’re so small that they all know each other, but they’re all from these different places,” said McLain, which inspired the Latin American embroidery in the mural. “I met a young boy on the plane from Parkersburg who looks just like that big boy that I painted on the mural. So even though the mural is somewhat future leaning, all of these pieces are already present and could just continue to grow.”

A welcome addition downtown

Now complete, the mural is proudly on display on the side of the Parkersburg Art Center, welcoming locals and visitors to Market Street and the heart of downtown. Local artist Kat Hendrickson participated in painting the mural panels and said she is thrilled with the way the mural came together.

Joining the painting parties made me feel like I was part of something big, working on a community project to enhance the beauty of downtown Parkersburg.

“The finished mural is very beautiful,” said Hendrickson. “I love the vibrant colors and details. It really brightened up the street and I believe it will attract many visitors.”

She said painting the mural was a great opportunity to meet and collaborate with other community members and the incredible GoodSpace team. “Joining the painting parties made me feel like I was part of something big, working on a community project to enhance the beauty of downtown Parkersburg. As a local artist, it was a great experience to work on a group painting project with people from various ages and backgrounds. I met a lot of new friends and enjoyed every minute we worked together.”

Summer Webb-Sundstrom also participated in the creation of the mural. “This beautiful mural is just what downtown Parkersburg needs right now!” she said. “It has added so much beauty, color, and life to downtown. I hope it inspires everyone to get out and enjoy everything our downtown community has to offer.”

For Siefert, the mural contributes to the vibrancy of Market Street and connects with other arts efforts happening downtown.

“With the formation of the Arts Collaborative of the MOV and the current group of non-profit arts leaders coming together, we are all focused on a renaissance of this district,” she said. “Together we are better! Anticipating the Discovery World Children’s Museum opening late next fall has also helped to fuel this fire. There has always been a lot of love and creative energy in this community. We are just working hard as a group to let that shine.”

We were tired physically but emotionally and spiritually we felt really lifted by the whole project.

McLain described her experience in Parkersburg as a beautiful trust fall. “There’s this sense when you go to a community that you’re not from, you’re not sure if that will enhance the project or if that will limit what the project can be.”

GoodSpace Murals strives to go in listening and creating space for the community to share, rather than dictate or lead in generating ideas. “Giving people space and authority to tell their stories and then engaging with local artists and inviting them to come and work with us has been the model that we lean into but it’s not going to work unless people lean back towards us. If the community and the community organizers don’t also lean in, it’s not going to be the same.”

Parkersburg leaned in, she said. “Everybody leaned in and we got so swooped up. Our team is all women, and we are up there doing physical work 13 to 15 hours every single day and the power of that lean and the power of the community supporting us really made it feel seamless for our team,” she said. “We were tired physically but emotionally and spiritually we felt really lifted by the whole project.”

The official dedication of the GoodSpace Mural will take place on Saturday, October 16th at 6:00 pm at the Parkersburg Art Center. Greta McLain and the GoodSpace team will be present. All are welcome to attend!

The post GoodSpace Mural Paints a Portrait of Parkersburg appeared first on Clutch MOV.

The oldest independent fair in Ohio celebrated its 150^th year with a commemorative mural painted by recent Marietta College graduate and full-time artist, Leah Seaman. The mural celebrates many of the fair’s most popular and prominent features, from the Roundhouse building and fair rides to the tractor pull and the many animals showed by the local agricultural community each year, and graces the side of the sheep and goat barn.

“For 150 years now, the Barlow Fair has provided entertainment and connection for the greater Washington County community in this way, and the Fair Board really wanted to celebrate such actions through this project,” said Seaman.

Seaman said local artist Bobby Rosenstock connected her with the fair board. “He asked if I was interested in a last-minute project that needed to be finished by the beginning of the fair.” She accepted, connected with the Fair Board, and got to work.

This week-long project was an incredibly fun learning experience that taught me so much about myself, the mural industry, and working with corrugate metal.

“This week-long project was an incredibly fun learning experience that taught me so much about myself, the mural industry, and working with corrugate metal,” said Seaman. “I had never worked on such a large-scale mural before and I definitely had never worked with corrugated metal before, so I was going in blind from the beginning.”

The mural is a whopping 16’ wide by 13’ tall. Seaman spent much of her time perched on a ladder or scaffolding to reach the upper third of the mural – but her most challenging obstacle, was the weather.

“I unfortunately lost a day and a half of work due to rain, but still worked around weather challenges with the help of a make-shift tent that the fair members helped me construct to protect the piece from the brunt of the rain.”

Seaman also had assistance from her parents, who drove over four hours to help her make up for lost time, painting whatever she asked of them and providing much needed support and encouragement.

Doors have already opened that exceeded my greatest hopes for my artistic career, including this mural opportunity.

“I have come out of this project not only with an invaluable understanding of working on corrugated metal, but also a better idea of my productivity capabilities as an artist, and a better idea of how to work around the unruly whims of Mother Nature!”

As a recently graduated full-time artist, Seaman said any expectations or doubts she may have had entering into the industry have almost been almost entirely washed away by her new reality.

“Over the past four months, I have experienced such a massive outpouring of love, support, and encouragement from friends and strangers alike that I very rarely have moments to question my decision to become a full-time artist,” she said. “Doors have already opened that exceeded my greatest hopes for my artistic career, including this mural opportunity.”

Seaman said she now finds herself in the wonderful position of having to figure out how to stem the flow of opportunity so that she doesn’t work herself to the brink of burnout. “Which is incredibly difficult when I want to say yes to every project people bring to me!” If her first four months are any indication of the future, Seaman is beyond excited to see what the next year has in store for her.

With time and patience, I have the opportunity to watch my creations unfold into something I am truly proud of.

As a muralist, Seaman said the most rewarding part of what she does is getting to surprise herself and those around her. “When I start on a project, large or small, there are always moments where it seems impossible for anything beautiful to come from my efforts,” she said. “The sketches, crooked lines, and dripping paint seem to put into question my competence as a creator. But with time and patience, I have the opportunity to watch my creations unfold into something I am truly proud of, and I always seem to surprise myself and my audience at how successful these works can turn out to be! I enjoy that surprise and that progression.”

As an artist, she values having the honor and opportunity to make art accessible and available to people from all walks of life. “It is one of my life’s goals to ensure that almost everyone can afford to have a masterpiece of some kind in their home, regardless of the image or the medium,” said Seaman. “Art should not just belong to the upper 1% of humanity, but to all of us, so that it might bring more joy to our lives.” Seaman takes great pride in being a conduit for this notion.

To date, much of Seaman’s work is comprised of commissioned projects. But she’s looking forward to finding a balance and having more time to hone her own, personal style. “I tend to lean towards more politically active messaging that touches on subject matter near and dear to my heart,” she said. “I use a more realistic style, with dramatic highlights and shadows and vibrant color combinations. I am still so new to discovering my own style and voice, that I don’t yet know what story I will be telling the world with my craft.”

She hopes to be able to learn more about herself over the next few years and create bodies of work that speak to truths to that which she is most passionate. “I hope to start vital conversations with my work that will encourage people to consider new perspectives, examine their own understandings of the world, and challenge notions they may have grown up believing as gospel truth.”

Right now, Seaman is in Naples, New York working on her next big project – a 30’ x 8’ mural for Fruition Seeds. As this mural will also be painted on a corrugated metal surface, Seaman said she was thankful for the opportunity to practice her technique with the Barlow Fair mural. Those interested in following along with Seaman’s progress can follow her art accounts on Instagram and Facebook, or check out her newly-launched website.

The post New Mural Commemorates Barlow Fair’s 150th Anniversary appeared first on Clutch MOV.

Brewing Up Business in McConnelsville

Clutch MOV is proud to sponsor this year’s Mid-Ohio Valley Entrepreneur of the Year. Clutch MOV envisions a community where citizens can take risks on the promise that success would uplift the residents of our valley. Our artists, creators, innovators, and small business owners strive to build something new, better meet the needs of our community, and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of our region. These entrepreneurs are on the edge, finding new ways to build, create, and serve. This year we received dozens of nominations for innovative, forward-thinking, community-building entrepreneurs from the Mid-Ohio Valley. The panel believed five individuals stood out for the impact they are making through their work. We are sharing their stories in this series.

Dean Ponchak had been thinking about starting a brewery in the back of his mind for some time. When he retired from the Ohio EPA at the relatively young age of 51, he knew he would need something to keep himself busy. “My wife Jennifer and two of my sons discussed the idea and decided to move forward. Lucky for us, the perfect building went up for sale shortly after our decision,” said Ponchak.

After two long years of renovations – and a whole lot of brewing – Old Bridge Brewing Company opened in McConnelsville in June of 2020. Located on the corner of West Main Street and North 3rd Street in view of the ‘old bridge,’ the brewery is housed in a two-story building that was an auto repair shop in its former life.

“This immediate area was lacking a place for people to gather and relax,” said Ponchak. “Breweries have a history of providing just that type of family-friendly atmosphere – and also tend to jumpstart other businesses along the way. Since we opened last year many customers have commented to us how they appreciate having a place to go to meet people and just kick back and relax.”

We had a vision, and through a lot of hard work by a lot of people, that vision has become a reality.

Ponchack is originally from the area, growing up on a farm halfway between McConnelsville and Beverly. He began brewing shortly after retiring in 2014, while also working at his wife’s construction company. When he was ready to expand, he purchased a brewing system from a brewery in Michigan, Fourth Street Brewing, and consulted with their brewer, Doug Beedy, who offered to help Dean set things up.

Old Bridge Brewing has both a 15-barrel system, which can make 465 gallons, as well as a half-barrel system, which makes only 15 gallons. This allows the brewery to experiment with small batches and perfect the process before moving varieties to the larger system. Last fall, less than a year since opening, Ponchak and his team submitted four brews to the Ohio Craft Brewers Cup. Of the four brews submitted, the three that placed were: Beernnormous in the Imperial Stout/Porter category, Bourbonormous in the Wood Barrel Aged over 8% ABV category and the Red as Reba in the Amber/Red Ale or Lager category.

On the weekends, it is common for the brewery to have a food truck parked in their lot and a patio full of people. As they serve only drinks, the Ponchaks have partnered with area food trucks and local restaurants to provide a variety of cuisine options for their patrons. Guests can have pizza delivered from nearby Maxwell’s, BBQ from Boondocks, or treats from MoCo’s Dip-n-Sip just across the alley, in addition to whatever delicious dishes are being served up by their featured food truck.

Ponchak appreciates being able to work for himself and see his vision through. “I enjoy being able to call the shots on how our business is operated, and then seeing the decisions that were made being put in place and working as planned,” he said. “We had a vision, and through a lot of hard work by a lot of people, that vision has become a reality.”

As a business owner, Ponchak says he never really ‘clocks out.’ “I’m at the brewery most every day for at least a few hours making sure that everything is cleaned and operational.”

On the one day a week the brewery is closed to customers, he brews – sometimes for 16 hours or more. “Even when I’m not at the brewery physically, I’m here mentally, thinking about how to manage all of the daily issues that come up.”

Since opening last June, Old Bridge Brewing Company has become a hub of activity in the community. In good weather, the garage doors are open and tables are full inside and out. Ponchak and his wife work closely with other area businesses, including their friends Dan and Amy Smith who own the newly renovated downtown bed & breakfast, The Inns at 8^th & Main, to cross promote and market to potential visitors.

With the uptick in working remotely, many people are looking to escape urban areas, and what better place to escape to than the Mid-Ohio Valley?

“We have customers at the brewery from all over Ohio, as well as from surrounding states. Having people travel to this area helps to show what a great place southeastern Ohio is to live and work,” said Ponchak. “With the uptick in working remotely, many people are looking to escape urban areas, and what better place to escape to than the Mid-Ohio Valley? I’m certain that several of our customers have decided to purchase property nearby to pursue that goal.”

Ponchak said it was truly a community effort to open the brewery and that he could not have done it without the help of friends and family. “There were many late nights and holidays spent completing tasks to keep the project on track,” he said. He appreciated the helpfulness of all of the regulatory agencies he worked with. “There was never a ‘roadblock’ we couldn’t work through.”

To those thinking about going out on their own, Ponchak said developing a business plan is one of the most important steps you can take. “Work with experts in whatever field you’re working in to make sure your business has a chance for success,” he said. “Do the groundwork first – don’t just start throwing money at your passion and hope that it succeeds as a business.”

Clearly, Ponchak’s hard work has paid off, but he still has big plans for the future evolution of the brewery. “Our next step is more extensive keg distribution as well as canning and bottling. After that, we intend to investigate the possibility of a second brewery either southeast or northeast of our current location.”

He said that being recognized as a finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year has already increased the brewery’s name recognition in and beyond the Mid-Ohio Valley. “This comes at a time when things are tight due to the restrictions we had to institute last year due to COVID-19 mandates,” he said. ““Being a finalist is quite an honor and completely unexpected.”

The 2021 MOV Entrepreneur of the Year will be publicly announced during a special program during the Mid-Ohio Valley Entrepreneurial Expo on September 23rd, 2021 hosted by Marietta College, following a panel discussion with all five finalists. Register today!

The post Dean Ponchak appeared first on Clutch MOV.

A Serial Entrepreneur on a Mission to Make the MOV a Better Place

Clutch MOV is proud to sponsor this year’s Mid-Ohio Valley Entrepreneur of the Year. Clutch MOV envisions a community where citizens can take risks on the promise that success would uplift the residents of our valley. Our artists, creators, innovators, and small business owners strive to build something new, better meet the needs of our community, and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of our region. These entrepreneurs are on the edge, finding new ways to build, create, and serve. This year we received dozens of nominations for innovative, forward-thinking, community-building entrepreneurs from the Mid-Ohio Valley. The panel believed five individuals stood out for the impact they are making through their work. We are sharing their stories in this series.

William “Zak” Huffman knew he was destined to be self-employed at a very young age. As a child, when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he confidently answered “a successful businessman.” Now, Huffman is a serial entrepreneur and the successful owner of not one, not two, but six local businesses in the Mid-Ohio Valley. His current businesses include White Oak Property Research, The Cocktail Bar (formerly The Coffee Bar), Warrior Fitness Facility, the Huffman Company, a music studio and he is in the process of opening Nancy Huffman Stables in his hometown of Barlow.

Huffman’s parents inspired his dream of being self-employed for as long as he can remember. “My parents have always been very entrepreneurial minded. Although they never had a successful brick and mortar business, I remember them always have great ideas and hustling every day,” he said. “I wasn’t sure what business I would start, because as a kid you have so many passions. Little did I know as an adult I’d still have those same passions that I could weave into a business.”

Huffman said there is not one business he owns that does not have a lifetime passion attached to it. “I was always told to focus on one thing but I am not wired that way,” he said. “This community just has too much potential to sit back and hope somebody starts a business I wish was in town. If someone isn’t willing to fill a void and it’s a service I would love to see, I’ll take that challenge and dive head first and educate myself, put a plan together and execute.”

Nobody around me seemed very motivated, so I took the reins.

Of his entrepreneurial pursuits, he is most passionate about The Cocktail Bar and what it brings to downtown Parkersburg. Growing up in the area, Huffman said all he ever knew were chain restaurants. When he began to travel as an adult, he visited restaurants that had an ambiance that was as exciting as the food itself.

“It really impacted me,” he said. “When I saw that level of service in larger cities I just couldn’t believe it. I thought why in the world is there not a bar like this in Parkersburg? Nobody around me seemed very motivated, so I took the reins.”

The Cocktail Bar (TCB) started out as The Coffee Bar. Looking back, Huffman said it was a hilariously rocky transition. “But being an entrepreneur isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about learning and growing.”

“We had so many guests come in at 7:00 pm for coffee, even folks who were not big coffee drinkers, simply because they loved the chill ambiance and inclusive community,” he said. Customers expressed a vision of coffee during the day, cocktails at night, and Huffman gave it a trial run. “Our sales goals are to increase 10% a year. The first year of being a cocktail bar, our sales jumped 200%.”

Huffman views The Cocktail Bar as an extension of his family and his home. “When I walk in, I don’t feel like I’m at work. I feel like I’m in a formal dining room of my home, throwing a dinner party with my favorite people every night. When people get upset (which is an inevitable aspect of owning a restaurant) they can be quite harsh when you’ve put your heart and soul into a place. If you really have your heart in it, it feels personal. But you just have to remind yourself that people forget a local business is someone’s entire dream and often their life savings. It’s not store #502 from a chain.”

The most rewarding aspect of being a business owner for Huffman is the flexibility, opportunity to dream, and the ability to adjust based on the community and customers’ needs.

When I decide to do something, I want to do it to the best possible version.

“Myself, I’m not huge into trivia,” he said. “But, the community is, so that’s what we offer each week. And when I decide to do something, I want to do it to the best possible version. I so often hear people say ‘you don’t have to go overboard, it’s a small town, we don’t expect that much’ – but that’s not how I’m wired. So, after just a couple of years, we have been named the #5 best trivia in the state of West Virginia. That’s an example of how I like to run my business – especially one as personal and reflective of myself and my personality as TCB is.”

Like many small business owners, Huffman faces the challenge of never being ‘off the clock.’ Whether it’s scrolling through TikTok for event inspiration or reading up on the latest employee training techniques, his mind always drifts back to business. Usually though, it fuels his excitement.

Huffman also finds making tough calls when it comes to staffing a challenge. As someone who struggled in school, he emphasizes with those who learn differently from others. “For most of my childhood and teenage years, I really thought I was not a smart person and would struggle my whole life. I’ve always loved animals and wanted to be a vet,” he said. “I remember when my teacher pulled me aside and told me most kids who can’t keep up in public school don’t go to college, let alone become a vet and I should consider looking into being a veterinary assistant instead.”

This really shaped Huffman and still affects his daily interactions with staff. “I have never met a dumb person in my life. We all have different types of intelligence and have unique skill sets that the next person may not have. I can make a much longer list of things I cannot do than of a list of what I can do,” he said. “Obviously with good management, you find the role that’s best suited for each strength and weakness of your entire staff, but in the fast paced restaurant scene where staff must be quick as a whip on their feet, the position isn’t for everyone.”

“I know a lot of people enjoy being seen as the boss and may even boast of how they went about firing someone, but I’ve never enjoyed it one time,” Huffman said. “I always stress that just because their skills and intelligence didn’t line up with the restaurant industry, doesn’t mean they aren’t capable of excelling in a different field.”

People WILL support you if you treat them right. Patrons are friends, not just sales.

To those thinking about taking the leap into entrepreneurship, Huffman says he wants you to know that you are not alone, that there are lots of folks just like you who want an amazing business or idea executed in this area. “People WILL support you if you treat them right. Patrons are friends, not just sales. Give the area a chance and take the risk! Our community is so supportive.”

He also believes in admitting your weaknesses and reaching out to others for advice when you need it. “I’ve found in our town, most people are out to help the next person. I could have saved so much time and money reaching out to others years ago,” he said. “I think there’s a stigma to ask ‘competitors’ for help but honestly, they aren’t competitors, they’re people just like you and me trying to feed their families and add to the community.”

Huffman approaches business from an abundance mentality. He said he’s often asked what he would do if another bar came downtown. “I’d be the first one there to support them and partner with them,” he said. “The more business downtown has, the more foot traffic we have, which leads to more sales which leads to the ultimate goal of taking care of my daughter which is what’s it all about at the end of the day.”

The impact TCB has had on downtown is catalytic. When The Coffee Bar first opened, the shop was slammed with downtown employees wanting to grab a cup of coffee on their way in to work, a clear indication that they were meeting a need. TCB also became a destination as their reputation grew.

“The amount of customers that come to downtown for ‘the first time in years’ just to come see us is astonishing,” Huffman said, attributing their location near the beautiful Blennerhassett Hotel as a definite plus.

As the business has evolved over the years, TCB continued to meet the community’s needs through providing nighttime activities and a comfortable ‘third space.’ And Huffman’s investment has spurred others to follow, adding to the vibrancy of downtown Parkersburg. His proof of concept gave others the confidence to take that first step. Even still, Huffman is far from finished.

“TCB has just begun. We haven’t ‘arrived.’ We are still becoming. But being a finalist of an award that has become so incredibly respected in this area has really given me the confidence and credibility. I have so much I’d like to work on with the city of Parkersburg about turning downtown around, and I truly feel this nomination has helped me be heard.”

The 2021 MOV Entrepreneur of the Year will be publicly announced during a special program during the Mid-Ohio Valley Entrepreneurial Expo on September 23rd, 2021 hosted by Marietta College, following a panel discussion with all five finalists. Register today!

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While Marietta gears up for its annual party on the Ohio River Levee this weekend, local band OYO hosted a river party of their own over Labor Day weekend aboard the Valley Gem Sternwheeler. The sold-out show featuring Karl’s Bedtime Hammer, Old Seed, and OYO entertained a live audience throughout their three-hour tour up river. The lively tunes of fiddle and banjo kept folks on their toes until the very last minute, not ceasing until the boat was once again docked on the Muskingum.

“The energy was incredible, everyone seemed very positive!” said Aaron Martin, who plays mandolin, fiddle, and guitar in OYO. “I think folks were just excited and appreciative to be out after missing live music for much of 2020.”

The evening’s set began with Karl’s Bedtime Hammer, an Americana/folk/bluegrass cover band comprised of Tyson Knapp on guitar, Cody Maclver on mandolin, Jim Flanagin on banjo, and “The Great Scotts” – Scott Smith on Cajon and percussion and Scott Ellison on bass and “The Putting Out of Vibes,” officially. The group set the tone for the night with familiar foot-thumping tunes.

Next up was Old Seed, featuring Joe Burdock on fiddle, Zeke Hutchinson on mandolin, and Jeanie Creamer on guitar, sitting in for Matthew McElroy. The trio played tunes likely to have been played on the Ohio River a century ago and shared their love for the songs’ history between sets. A few tunes played were favorites of Hutchinson’s grandfather, Ohio fiddler John W. Hutchinson (the Seed) and his father, banjo player Robert (Zeke) Hutchinson.

OYO then took the stage, kicking up the energy another notch – which, after the quick-paced fiddling of Old Seed, seemed impossible. Born on the banks of the Ohio River, OYO began as a weekly jam session in the Just A Jar print shop in Marietta, Ohio. The band’s name is derived from the Iroquois name for the Ohio: OYO (OH-yo), meaning beautiful river. Influenced by American folk music, bluegrass, old school country and rock & roll, the band’s members include Cole Adair on guitar, Aaron Martin on mandolin, fiddle, and guitar, Michael Bond on keys, accordion and guitar, Bobby Rosenstock on banjo, Drew Tanner on bass, and Joe Ryckebosch on drums.

We’ve found that people who follow us and enjoy what we do are typically a bit more adventurous and looking for an experience.

“Cole and Cody came up with the idea of hosting an event on the Valley Gem over beers at the Harmar,” said Bobby Rosenstock. This was the second year the band hosted a concert on the riverboat and Rosenstock said they hope to make it an annual event.

“The idea of floating down the Ohio River on a sternwheeler listening to fiddles and banjos is a unique opportunity,” said Martin. “We tend to play a lot of original material and more obscure traditional tunes. We’ve found that people who follow us and enjoy what we do are typically a bit more adventurous and looking for an experience. We’re not a cover band and no two shows are going to be the same. You’re not going out to Applebee’s when you come to an OYO show.”

Floating along the Ohio feeling the ‘thump-thump’ of feet stomping and dancing across the top deck was certainly an experience. Fans who frequent OYO’s shows were more than ready to sing, stomp, and clap along with their favorite tunes, which almost always includes “Glory Days” towards the end of the set list. Smiles aplenty, voices growing hoarse, and beers in hand, there were shouts for “one more song!” and then “two more songs!” as the boat pulled up to the dock.

“Cruising down the river on a sternwheeler with our friends singing and dancing along is the ideal setting for our music,” said Rosenstock, whose face sported a wide grin the entire night. “It just doesn’t get much better than that. And we invite other bands so we can hang out and listen to great music, too.”

When we connect as a band hopefully that energy is felt by our audience.

Martin agreed. “With music that connection is everything and it’s what makes live shows so fun and exciting. And really the only way to do that is to be fully present and in the moment. When we connect as a band hopefully that energy is felt by our audience.”

OYO fans are patiently awaiting the release of the band’s debut album. “We’re finishing up mixing and mastering our first album, recorded with Ben Townsend at the controls in an old, abandoned church in Elkins, West Virginia,” said Michael Bond. “I’m thrilled with how it’s turned out and I think folks will love the art that Bobby and Joe have cooked up for it. You’ll see tracks up on Spotify soon, with vinyl and CD appearing in the next few months.”

In the meantime, you can catch OYO at the Marietta Morning Rotary’s Tails and Ales fundraiser on October 2^nd at Masonic Park. For $40 a ticket, you can enjoy a whole Maine lobster (or non-seafood options), local brews, and live music from Hopewell and OYO. OYO is also known to pop up at Just A Jar’s shop on Front Street during most First Fridays.

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