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Art Center hosting fundraiser event this month

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PARKERSBURG -- The Parkersburg Art Center is hosting a new artful fundraiser on April 29 starting at 7 p.m. called "The PAC Portrait Artist Caper."

Artists have two hours to paint a portrait of a live sitter. Artists provide their own materials and can use their medium of choice. Guests may buy into "challenges" to make it harder or easier for the artists to complete their work.

"There is this wonderful British competition show called 'Skye Arts Portrait Artist of the Year.," said PAC Managing Director Jessie Siefert. "Abby Hayhurst (the center's Artistic Director) and I are addicted and have been wanting to find a way to showcase local artists in a fun way and to replicate some of the best elements of this very addictive program. By George, I think we've got it! Or at least we hope we do," she said.

Called upon to sit for their portraits are Simon Hargus, Betty Rector, Cynthia Brown and Anna Hughes. When the timer goes off at the end of the evening, the artists will turn their canvases to the sitters and each sitter will select their favorite to take home with them.

The participating portrait artists are Belinda Armstrong, Margee Bias, Michael Church, Nicole Harris, Virginia Killian, Lavana Lemley, Tracy Love, Kendall McGee, Beth Nash, Emma Rowmanowski, Emma Rucker, Linda Stonestreet, Tanya Shook-Wilder and Bekah Williamson.

"I thought that it would be difficult to find artists willing to paint or draw or sculpt in front of a live audience but, I was wrong," Hayhurst said. "We have advertised that we have 12 artists creating the portraits but we actually have 14 and more asking to be on the roster for next year. This is going to be a fun night. The paints will fly! Two hours is very little time to create a portrait and with challenges thrown in by the audience votes the process becomes even more intriguing," she said.

The event will feature refreshments and appetizers provided by the Restaurant at the Blennerhassett Hotel and Spa. This event is also being supported by the Bernard McDonough Foundation.

Admission is free for members of the Parkersburg Art Center but they are requested to call in to make a reservation at 304-485-3859. Tickets are $10 a person for others and can be purchased online at https://www.parkersburgartcenter.org/upcomingcurrent-events. There will also be tickets available at the door.

There is free parking in both of the Art Center lots along Eighth Street between Market and Juliana streets.

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