Paul Tan, in from Maryland for the holidays, checks out shops

Raffles were set up through Downtown PKB and a drawing was organized by the Parkersburg Art Center, ArtBeat Studio and Artsbridge for a gift basket filled with $300 worth of store merchandise and art supplies.

Saturday kicked off the Parkersburg Art Center’s annual holiday tree exhibit. As part of Small Business Saturday, they invited local artists to set up in what will be the Art Center’s new gift shop area.

“This year, we have 17 ArtistTrees, which is a record,” said Art Center Managing Director Jessie Siefert.

The Artist Trees are the work of volunteers, students from area schools and the Art Center staff. Tree designers choose a famous artist and interpret an example of their work in the form of a Christmas tree.

“Nineteen years ago, we wanted to put up a display of Christmas trees. Several suggestions were made for a theme, but we kept coming back to the question: If Picasso had trimmed a tree, what would it look like? So ArtistTrees were born,” said Abby Hayhurst, artistic director of the center.

Visitors are encouraged to bring plenty of pocket change when they come see the trees.

“We have quite a rivalry going. People vote for their favorites by dropping spare change in a tube next to each tree. The money goes to pay for art supplies for kids’ classes, and the designer of the winning tree gets bragging rights for a year,” Siefert said.

While enjoying the exhibit and vendors, Christmas shoppers, could swing by the ArtBeat Studio and Artsbridge for more holiday goods.

Shoppers could find everything from jewelry and textiles to small paintings, ceramic pieces, photography and Christmas decorations.

Over at the Wood County Society’s ArtBeat Studio, those who spent $50 or more were able to enter into a drawing for a collection of shop goods.

“We were open on Black Friday as well from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and saw tremendous success,” said Wood County Society Director Brandon Gress.

Gress said the shop continues to see amazing support from the community.

“We are looking forward to a great day of impact again today (Saturday), not only sharing our mission here at Wood County Society broadening opportunities for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but also highlighting the social enterprise that our artists at the ArtBeat studio have been able to develop over the last year or so,” he said.

They have a few seasonal events happening this December that will have exclusive products for sale and prize drawings — the 12 Days of Christmas, Dec. 8-23 (excluding weekends) and a holiday open house Dec. 20-23.

Joining in on the downtown fun for its second year was Artsbridge, where vendors from both Ohio and West Virginia set up their art for people to stop in and shop.

The drawing for the art basket winner will be held Monday.

Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com