Located in the heart of the quaint town of Minerva is a hot spot brewing with creativity and passion. The Market Street Art Spot is known to the locals as an incubator for burgeoning talent. Step inside and discover new and diverse art. A single visit yields intricately turned wood bowls and vases, detailed oil paintings, vivid watercolors, and quirky stoneware. Artistic basket-weaving, distinctive printmaking and raku pottery are found here as well. “There is really nothing else like it in the area,” said Marty Chapman, a resident artist who helped establish the Art Spot. “We’re one of the only places in Stark County that features woodturning.” Chapman is the man behind the beautiful wooden pieces, and his goal is to bring larger recognition to the art of woodturning through the gallery and his occasional demonstrations. Michelle Mulligan, an oil painter and mother of renowned artist Erin Mulligan, was a driving force for the Art Spot, as well. “The opportunity had come up for this empty space, and we thought it was a great way to help bring life back into the community,” she explained. Minerva is a small, sleepy town, so the two artists decided it needed some excitement. “The gallery is a great way to enliven the area,” Mulligan explained. “ It gives people a reason to come out and see what’s here.” Minerva is in an unusual position, located on the corners of three counties: Stark, Columbiana and Carroll. “You just walk two minutes, and you’re somewhere else,” Chapman said. Perhaps, subtly, that played into the diverse art found inside the gallery. The Art Spot is made up of five resident artists. They not only display their work, but they also plan events and coordinate exhibits. “Last year, we did a feature artist each month,” Mulligan said. “We had a reception to introduce the artist, and you could view their work for the whole month.” Even though last year they put an emphasis on featuring a new local display artist each month, “This year, we wanted to do more events as well as showcase each of the resident artists,” Chapman said. Along with Chapman and Mulligan, they have three other artists with a variety of talents. Dona McCloskey paints beautiful watercolors. “Watercolors are poetry in motion,” she writes in her bio on the Art Spot website. Joan Henninger paints detailed and realistic oil paintings of nature, landscapes, and architecture. Laura Donnelly transforms clay into whimsical and functional stoneware pottery and dabbles in watercolors, as well. Mulligan is slated to be featured in August. The gallery will display art done by both her and her daughter, as well as some other family members. The artist reception is in conjunction with a benefit, “Art Hits the Spot.” It will take place Aug. 10, from 5 to 9 p.m. and benefits the Minerva Salvation Army Food Pantry. Visitors are invited to buy a raffle ticket and bid on one of 50 pieces of art, each listed for $50. If they win, they pay the artist and go home with their new find. All raffle proceeds go to the Food Pantry while the artists are able to keep their full fee. “It benefits everyone,” Mulligan said. “The artists get recognition. The people of Minerva can see something exciting going on at home, while out-of-town visitors can view Minerva as a destination.” “We’re always looking for new and exciting things to do in the community, whether it’s a new display artist or a fun event,” Mulligan said. Chapman agreed: “Minerva is a great little spot and we’re really happy at how successful we’ve been in bringing art and recognition here.” The next time you find yourself in the area, check it out. It hits the art spot just right.