Winter solstice events held soon
(File Photo) Community members gathered to watch the winter solstice sunset, marking the change of seasons.
A pair of events in Marietta and Parkersburg will mark the turning of the season and the official start of winter with the winter solstice on Saturday.
The Castle in Marietta will host its annual Solstice Watch from 4-5:30 p.m. Saturday in Marietta’s Sacra Via Park.
The event is free to the public and no reservations are required. Donations are encouraged.
One function of large earthwork complexes, such as the one found at Marietta, was to track the passage of seasons through astronomical observations. The winter solstice sunset aligns with the parallel walls of Sacra Via.
Wes Clarke, The Castle’s archaeologist, will conduct the program. He will discuss the astronomical alignments of Marietta’s mound structures. Sacra Via Park is located on Sacra Via Street between Third and Second streets in Marietta.
Clarke is a Registered Professional Archaeologist with more than 45 years’ experience conducting research in the American Midwest and in Southeast Asia. He has particular interest in early historic pottery, Ohio art history, the history of pioneer Ohio, and early state development in Southeast Asia, and has published numerous articles on these topics. Clarke is currently in the ninth season of excavations on the historic Clark family pottery site at The Castle Museum, where he works as the Manager of Collections.
The Solstice Watch is weather-dependent, so activity can vary depending on conditions.
In Parkersburg, Artsbridge invites the public to its annual Art After Dark free community program on Saturday starting at 6 p.m. at the new offices at 350 Seventh St., for an evening of art, community, and inspiration on the winter solstice.
A live DJ will be setting the mood playing cool Lo-fi beats while visitors enjoy hot beverages at a cozy hot tea station. There will be a “Catch the Sun” Art with Angels display. Visitors are encouraged to embrace the beauty of the longest night of the year by creating hand-made crafts inspired by the sky and setting intentions for the upcoming year by snapping a selfie at their “Positive Affirmation Station.”
Artsbridge has also teamed up with First Chapter bookstore and PAC 713 located on the 700 block of Market Street. Both businesses will be keeping their doors open a bit later for Art After Dark.
From 6-8 p.m., First Chapter will host Spoken Word led by local teacher and author Sonya Ashby. Guests will have a chance to write and share their voices, using the sky as their inspiration. PAC 713 will be open until 7 p.m. offering special discounts on gifts made by local artisans.
More information about Art After Dark, along with other community programs available, can be found on the Artsbridge Facebook page or at Artbridgeonline.org.
