Marietta City Council leased the former Clarke Library, located at 156 Church Street near the Marietta Square, to Ab Ivens to use as his studio and art gallery, which opened this month.

He spent two years trying to find the right spot, Ivens said. "Marietta has the perfect infrastructure for art with its coffee shops, restaurants and entertainment venues."

Ivens started making American flag art 16 years ago. He made a simple flag with a few stripes first, to pay homage to his father, who was a veteran.

Ivens said they didn't give flags to every member of the family, but they gave the flag on the casket to the oldest sibling, his sister-in-law, at his father's funeral. "For some reason, my family felt that I should have it, and it impacted me so much that I began collecting and learning about flags at a very young age."

He is self-taught and transforms objects -- mostly wood -- found in abandoned, once-burgeoning mills and factories into red, white and blue works of art. "I try to use as much recycled material as possible, so it is quite the green art," Ivens said.

Ivens' works consist of the American flag, the eagle, intricate wood sculptures and symbolic works incorporating cityscapes and the plight of early settlers and are enduring images of American culture.

A friend saw a piece of artwork in his truck one day and offered to buy it from him, Ivens said. "He had a party that night showcasing the work I did at his house and called me when I got in to work the following Monday and wanted to buy 13 more pieces."

Ivens said he loves the city of Marietta and its people. "I feel honored to be here," he said.

Marietta Economic Development Manager Beth Sessoms said she hopes people who used to come to the library to read as children will have a new experience if they visit the gallery.

The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and has an opening once a month featuring a new artist in the rotunda and another artist in the wings, Ivens said.

The gallery showcases 14 to 15 artists and there are more every week, Ivens said. "Along with photography, fine art and fine oil paintings, we have sculpture and self-taught art as well."

Ivens, who is also a singer, songwriter, musician and filmmaker, prefers the title of "culture maker" to artist. "To me, culture exists in the arts," he said.

Encouraging local artists and helping Marietta become a destination for the arts is a goal Marietta City Council established as part of its most recent vision statement.