(Photo by Evan Bevins) Marietta artist Ben Gutberlet works on a painting at Marietta Makery during Artists Sunday.

Local recognition of the global Artists Sunday initiative started last year with two downtown Marietta businesses and expanded to six in 2024.

“And next year, the world,” laughed Marietta Makery owner Greta Guimond.

Guimond’s business teamed with Clutch Collective and owner Sarah Arnold in 2023 to bring the effort to support local artists by encouraging the purchase of unique, handmade gifts for the holidays to Marietta. This year they were joined by fellow Front Street establishments First City Records, Teri Ann’s, Threadz Boutique and Wit & Whimzy.

“Now we just hope it continues to grow year after year,” Arnold said.

Clutch Collective featured the work of artists with developmental differences from the Wood County Society’s Artbeat Studios.

(Photo by Evan Bevins) Parkersburg resident Olivia Williams works on a mural at First City Records, where she is a part-time employee. Her art was featured as First City participated in the global Artists Sunday initiative with other Front Street Marietta businesses.

“I just thought this was a great opportunity to uplift their mission,” Arnold said.

Clutch Collective, Marietta Makery and Wit & Whimzy combined feature more than 300 artists – local, regional and from other parts of the country – Arnold said.

Given that common ground and the fact that her business is already open on Sundays, joining this year’s Artists Sunday initiative was a natural fit, Wit & Whimzy owner Laura Pytlik said.

“I wanted to have somebody who had a unique product here,” she said. Smaller artists and makers “really have a hard time of being seen in the sea of big box retailers.”

Wit & Whimzy’s featured artist was Michele VanMatre of Appalachian Anthropologie. She said she repurposes a variety of items to provide new gifts and preserve the region’s culture and roots. Among her offerings are a series of greeting cards made from old family photos, with $1 from each card supporting local feeding programs.

Marietta Makery had no less than six artists set up, representing a variety of media. Not only do they sell their wares at the shop, they also teach classes there, Guimond said.

Williamstown resident Darby Stevens was weaving a basket beside Devola resident Beth Nash, who used needle felting to make distinctive figures.

“I think we both enjoy showing what we do to other people,” Stevens said.

As First City Records’ primary product revolves around the art form of music, participating in the event made sense, owner Aaron Whited said.

“It’s just another opportunity to take part and be part of the Marietta Main Street community,” he said.

In conjunction with the event, part-time employee Olivia Williams continued her work on a vintage 1970s-style mural in the store, but this time during regular business hours.

“I usually work on it at nighttime, then the store’s closed,” she said from atop a ladder.

Arnold and Pytlik said they saw steady traffic throughout the afternoon, and it wasn’t just area residents. Mary Sklamba and Linda Petty made a return trip from Monroe Falls, near Akron.

“We love Marietta. We come down here frequently,” Petty said.

This trip was timed specifically to include Small Business Saturday and Artists Sunday, Sklamba said. They stayed at the Lafayette Hotel, which they appreciate for its staff and style, and took in a Trans-Siberian Orchestra tribute at Peoples Bank Theatre.