Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Arnold.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Prior to opening Clutch Collective MOV, I launched and managed Clutch MOV, a local online magazine created for, by, and about the communities in the Mid-Ohio Valley region. The mission was the celebrate local culture, community, and creativity. In 2021, I opened Clutch Collective MOV as an extension of that mission – a physical space that highlighted our creative community. Clutch Collective is an art retail shop featuring over 50 artists from the Appalachian region and beyond. The shop also hosts solo exhibitions from local artists, live music, and other pop-up events.
While Clutch MOV ceased operation in 2022 after nine successful years of publication, Clutch Collective carries forth the mission and continues to grow. The shop is located in the heart of our historic downtown in Marietta, Ohio, and is connected to Wit & Whimzy, a gift shop and boutique owned by my mother, Laura Pytlik. Between the two shops, we feature over 200+ artists, makers, and small businesses from across the US.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a designer and marketing professional, I’m much more of a behind-the-scenes person, so the public-facing aspect of owning a business has always been outside of my comfort zone. I also work full-time in addition to managing the shop, so I’m constantly trying my best to create balance.
While most retailers purchase their products at wholesale pricing and add a markup of at least 100%, retailers who work with vendors on consignment often have a smaller markup so that more of the money stays in the maker’s pocket. Our goal is to uplift our local and regional makers, so we operate with a smaller overall profit margin, which can be challenging but ultimately best serves our artists.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
While I consider myself more of a designer than an artist, my background is in architecture and interior design, and I do love to make and create when I have the time. I’ve loved seeing the vision for Clutch Collective come to life – it was a dream of mine for years before we opened the doors. I wanted to create a space that inspired and celebrated local arts.
Clutch Collective MOV wouldn’t be here without our vibrant arts community. Over the past ten years, we’ve watched the arts & culture scene in the Mid-Ohio Valley grow and thrive. We are proud to be part of the movement as a shop that features local artists, as well as serving on Marietta’s Public Art Committee through Marietta Main Street. We work with local artists whenever we can – for example, we recently commissioned Alix Northup, a local illustrator, to design and paint a typography mural on the inside of our shop. We hope to find more ways to meaningfully contribute to our local community of artists and support public arts projects across our the region.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
While more and more shopping has shifted online, the post-pandemic world seems to have a higher appreciation for small, independently-owned businesses and products made locally. At the same time, our artists are grappling with the developments being made in AI, particularly AI-generated art, and copyright implications. That coupled with the constant pressure to create content for social consumption and an unpredictable economy will significantly impact how artists make, promote, and sell their work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.clutchcollectivemov.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/clutchcollectivemov
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ClutchCollectiveMOV
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/82696789/
- Other: https://www.threads.net/@clutchcollectivemov
Image Credits
Sarah Arnold
