Young local artists have received recognition for their work, and say they’ve regained a sense of connection to their peers, through Calico Artist Collective.
On Feb. 13, Calico Artist Collective, an organization composed of Morgantown-based artists, held a Valentine’s Art Market at three separate downtown Morgantown locations: 123 Pleasant St, Morgantown Art Party and Neighborhood Kombuchery.
Faith McCardle and Michael Parsons, two college-age creatives who participated in the Valentine’s Art Market, said Calico Artist Collective aids in the exposure and promotion of Morgantown’s talent.
McCardle, who recently graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in art education, said she is focusing on her art in the time between her college graduation and entering the workforce.
McCardle said she has been interested in art from the moment she was able to pick up a pencil.
“I knew as soon as elementary school that I wanted to do this for a full-time job, and I’ve been really fixated on trying to do that ever since,” McCardle said.
McCardle’s artwork comes in a variety of mediums, including stickers, pillows, digital artwork and printmaking. She creates in what she described as a “cartoonish” style, and most of her artwork revolves around pets – that’s her most popular work, according to McCardle.
McCardle said she has been able to take art commissions through Instagram, Facebook and family friends, but there are often gaps between commissions. McCardle also sells stickers online.
However, the Valentine’s Art Market enabled McCardle to sell a large quantity of her work all at once, she said.
McCardle said she found out about Calico Artist Collective through a classmate. McCardle reached out to the organization after they began posting about the Valentine’s Art Market on social media. At the time, the event was fully booked with artists, but a few days later a spot opened and McCardle was able to join.
McCardle said she has gained a significant amount of followers on Instagram and has communicated with several individuals regarding commissions since her participation in the Valentine’s Art Market.
“I really liked doing this. For a first-time person doing this, I felt really in charge. I felt like I wasn’t missing anything. I was very informed on what was going on, and I would love to do it again,” McCardle said.
McCardle said she wants to be a part of the education system and pursue art full-time.
“That’s kind of the dream for every artist, too … to put my name out there and create things that I’m really happy with,” McCardle said.
Parsons, who is in his last semester studying art education at WVU, said he has also been passionate about art from a young age.
“I think what I’ve always felt was my purpose was to help bring art out in others and inspire others, and help build their skills and give them confidence through art. That’s why I feel like I’ve always wanted to be an educator,” Parsons said.
Parsons said while he hasn’t had many people commission his art, he previously painted a mural for Divine Image Salon & Spa in Kingwood.
Parsons said he knew many of the individuals in charge of Calico Artist Collective through WVU and found out about the Valentine’s Art Market through social media. He participated in the event as part of the WVU Printmaking Club and was able to showcase pieces he had created in class.
Parsons said he “absolutely” feels his artwork has gained exposure through participation in the Valentine’s Art Market.
Parsons said he has missed out on being an active part of the art community in Morgantown because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but participating in the Valentine’s Art Market was reinvigorating for his artistic side.
“A lot of life seemed to turn really gray, and art didn’t feel so important anymore. It didn’t feel worthwhile. But I think Saturday definitely was a really nice chance for me to see other people who were doing the same thing as me. It did make me feel like we were all in this together. We all feel very passionately about creating art and persisting through all of these difficulties to continue to do it,” Parsons said.
Parsons said the event was a rewarding experience and an opportunity to once again immerse himself in the Morgantown art community, and he intends to participate in more Calico Artist Collective events in the future.
Additionally, Parsons said he is planning a group art show at the Monongalia Arts Center, which he hopes will take place next month.
“It felt great to have that sense of community, and to have customers show up and want to purchase our art. It felt like it was a nice pat on the back that we continued to work during this time,” Parsons said.
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