photo by: Eric Ayres

Local artist Jean-Anne Renshaw is one of the many new exhibitors showcasing their talents in the Phil Maxwell Artists’ Market in the Mansion Woods at Oglebayfest.

WHEELING — Picture-perfect weather greeted crowds of visitors to the opening day festivities at Oglebayfest on Friday, as the wildly popular autumn event welcomed guests to a showcase of its largest array of artisans and vendors in the history of the festival.

Now in its 48th year, Oglebayfest has grown into the Ohio Valley’s largest fall festival that draws visitors and participating artisans from near and far.

“This is a party to say ‘thank you’ to the community and ‘thank you’ to everybody that supports the parks,” said Bob Peckenpaugh, president and CEO of the Wheeling Park Commission. “It’s the end of season — although it may not feel like it yet — and we’re getting ready to go into fall and into the winter season.”

There are events and attractions throughout Oglebay Park this weekend during Oglebayfest. The Phil Maxwell Artists’ and Gourmet Market, presented by Oglebay Institute, is located in the Mansion Woods, with scores of vendors and exhibitors lining the paths behind the Oglebay Mansion Museum.

Danielle McCracken, president of Oglebay Institute, said the event has continued to grow in recent years. She commended Rick Morgan, director of the Stifel Fine Arts Center, for leading the exhibition and working towards its continued expansion every year since 2008.

“We’re so excited to officially open the Phillip Maxwell Artist and Gourmet Markets,” McCracken said. “This year’s market features 86 vendors, which is a record. We have 24 new participants, and now it stretches even further beyond these grounds over towards the outdoor amphitheater. So please check all of our vendors out.”

McCracken said Oglebay Institute was honored to continue its partnership with the Wheeling Park Commission and Oglebay Park. The collaboration helps continue to advance the vision that Col. Earl Oglebay had for the park – a beautiful sanctuary for not only recreation, but also for the arts, nature and cultural programs.

“I think this partnership is a great example of that,” McCracken said. “One of the most inspiring parts of this event is the Up and Coming Artists program that is proudly supported through the generosity of an endowment established by Phil Maxwell, who was a longtime employee of Oglebay Park and Oglebay Institute.

“We’re excited about the past, look forward to the future and hope everyone enjoys an incredible weekend here at the park. ”

McCracken said Maxwell’s philanthropy continues even after his passing.

Through the Up and Coming Artists program, a complementary vendor’s booth is provided for some of the new visual and culinary artists who are making their debut at Oglebayfest this year.

One of those up and comers is Emily Teachout, whose photo collage and mixed media artworks at Retrouvez Studio utilizes images from vintage magazines for art with a modern twist.

“I don’t see a lot of collage artists in the area – there are a few,” she said. “But I like to delve into social topics, a lot about feminism, women and identity. That’s kind of the theme of my art. But I think it’s kind of fun, a little flirty and charming, but it’s definitely for everybody – for all ages, from Barbie stuff to not-safe-for-work stuff.”

Teachout said she is no stranger to Oglebayfest, but noted that this venture into her artistic expression is somewhat new.

“I’ve been doing this for a little over a year and a half, and I try to do as many events in the area as I can,” she said, noting that the Up and Coming Artists program was a blessing for her. “It’s honestly really helpful. I am very grateful to have this opportunity. I’m front Wheeling – born and raised, so I’ve been to Oglebayfest since I was a kid. But this is my first time vending here – first time on the other side.”

Another longtime fan of Oglebayfest but newcomer as a participant was Jean-Anne Renshaw of Wheeling, whose artwork features linocut prints and paint carving.

“I started in October of last year,” Renshaw said of her unique artistic creations. Some of her pieces have dozens and dozens of layers of differently colored paint that subsequently have artworks carved into them with tools scraped at varying depths to reveal the desired colors. “These take a lot of paint. It takes weeks and weeks to paint all the layers.”

There are several returning artists, artisans and vendors on hand this year as well.

Brian Riley of B. Riley Blacksmith Ltd. of Beallsville, Ohio, was on site Friday putting the hammer to the anvil and turning metal rods into hand-crafted outdoor creations of all kinds – from flowerpot hangers to cup holders, grill grates and much more.

“I’ve been blacksmithing for about 26 years, and I think we’ve been coming to Oglebayfest for about 21 of those years,” Riley said.

Oglebayfest began in 1978 as a way to celebrate the changing of the seasons and to show appreciation to everyone who visits and supports Oglebay Park throughout the year. The event will feature regional food, an extensive array of handcrafted goods, live demonstrations by skilled artisans and a variety of live music all weekend long.

Live music will be taking place at the Mansion Woods stage as well as the German-style Rathskeller at the Hess Shelter. During the festival, the Rathskeller will also feature German food – from bratwurst to sauerkraut and German potato salad – along with a beer garden featuring a variety of seasonal and domestic brews.

The Ohio County Country Fair is also taking place at Oglebay this weekend at the Levenson Shelter. There will be a parade on Saturday morning and fireworks later in the evening.

Once again, Oglebayfest is being presented through a partnership with WVU Medicine.

“We really look forward to this event every year — it means so much to us as a health system,” said Douglass Harrison, WVU Medicine North Region president.

Harrison said WVU Medicine’s job is not only to treat sick people, but also to support the health and wellbeing of the community. Through its support of events like Oglebayfest, WVU Medicine is doing just that and more, Harrison noted.

“We’re very proud to be a partner with Oglebay and to support Oglebayfest every year,” he said. “I hope everybody enjoys the weekend and enjoys the festivities.”

Free parking and shuttle service will be available all weekend to take visitors to all the key locations in the park during Oglebayfest.

Exhibits and events will continue this weekend through early Sunday evening. For a complete schedule of events and activities, visit www.oglebay.com.