In its travels, the Susquehanna River passes by many towns.

Each town is unique, with its own personality, yet all are defined by the river and its enduring presence.

River towns often draw artists to them and this area is no exception.

The new exhibit at the Marietta ArtHouse, "Rivertowns Re-Viewed," features area artists' takes on four of those towns: Bainbridge, Columbia, Marietta and Wrightsville.

This past summer, the ArtHouse put out a call:

"The Marietta ArtHouse is seeking unique artist interpretations of streetscapes, buildings, river views and architectural details in Bainbridge, Marietta, Columbia and Wrightsville. Artists are encouraged to visit and find inspiration in the built landscape of these historic places. Architectural details, unusual viewpoints, interesting textures and patterns, fresh 'takes' on old signage, patterns in industrial buildings, and odd angles are examples of subjects to be considered. The idea is not to do traditional 'portraits' of famous landmarks but, instead, to search out lesser-known views for visual inspiration."

The works flowed in.

Some explore the natural beauty of the area, others the intriguing architecture, including the bridges that sometimes seem to overwhelm a town.

"We got some unusual takes, images only an artist might see," says Linda Mylin Ross, who runs the ArtHouse with Claire Lavin. "And that's exactly what we wanted."

Many of the pieces emphasize the architecture and industry in the towns, others the natural beauty of the area.

And that is often what defines river towns and gives them their character -- that intersection of man and nature.

"Most people here value nature and the presence of the water," says Ross. "That river, it endures. You look and it is always there. Everything else in life comes and goes, but the river is always there."

"But these towns are (also) interesting because there was such industry -- the canal industry, the lumber industry and then the iron industry, which feed off of the river. And railroads are often close by."

And that industry brought a wide diversity of architecture to the towns, with people living close to each other, eager to be near the water.

"You've got these big mansions and then you've got the workers' houses from the same period," Ross says. "Because it was such a booming area, you've got more diversity of the social classes. Buildings are constructed of every material. All of these towns have grown organically."

Artists and writers are drawn to the area, Ross says, because of that diversity and beauty.

Ross has been inspired by what she's seen.

"I have a jillion ideas in my head," she says. "Everything I see in town I want to paint or draw. I hope people who see the exhibit have the same thoughts."

Among the artists participating in the show are Ross, Lavin, Mimi Shapiro, David Walczyk, Sue Reno, Janette Toth-Musser, Susan Gottlieb, Susan Darling, David Haneman, Michael Kraniski, Bonnie Reitz, Phillip Windell and Emilie Snyder.

The exhibit was juried by Kim Bannister, curator of exhibits at the Rose Lehrman Art Center Gallery at Harrisburg Area Community College.

"Rivertowns Re-Viewed"

Cont. through Dec. 18

Wed.-Sun. noon-5 p.m. Free.

Marietta Arthouse

316 E. Market St., Marietta

426-3946
www.mariettaarthouse.com