BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – ARGO Books opened their doors this week as a special space for creatives to celebrate community, curation and collaboration in downtown Buckhannon.
“Community: This space positively reflects our community’s personality and residents. Curation: Every book here has been selected with great care. Collaboration: As we open, we’re excited to learn what people want to read, learn about and do here,” said Abigail Benjamin, co-owner of ARGO Books, alongside her husband Jon.
Since moving to Buckhannon four years ago, Abigail and Jon Benjamin have recognized a great need for a community hub where residents of all ages could gather to learn about creative works — art, graphic design, literature, animation and film.
“The ARGO names originates from the Greek myth about Jason and the Argonauts,” said Jon Benjamin. “I like this myth of Jason and the Argonauts because he was just a normal guy who gathered this crew of ‘superheroes’ on a ship. I use this as a metaphor in this setting as ‘we’re all on this boat together’ — the visitors of our store do the creative work and we are their guide.”
ARGO Books is a family passion-project where each member shares their interests with the public in one space, expressed Jon.
Those interests came together to establish a curated collection of regional literature, classic literature, art and design books, manga and graphic novels that are available for purchase.
Customers can also purchase items from Maria’s foreign candy store, order a coffee or soda, play with children’s toys, and explore one’s imagination with a free sketch pad. Also available to guests are the Media Room desktop computers, which are equipped with free Wi-Fi and various design software capabilities such as watercolor, animation, video production and graphic design platforms.
“We wanted to create a space where you have access to design software but is a gentle space where if you felt really stuck, you have someone here to ask for help,” said Jon.
This newly-polished gem in downtown Buckhannon also offers a collection of clubs for new and veteran creatives to spark their imagination and learn more about their passions.
Club offerings at ARGO Books include:
- Game Design Club
- Film Club
- Animation Club
- Art Club
- West Virginia Art and Design Association
- Children’s Writers Group
- Adult Writers Group
- Reading Club
These clubs give members the opportunity to meet fellow creatives while learning how to give – and receive – helpful criticism, learn technique, and discuss works from the group’s favorite artists and writers. Those interested in joining a club are encouraged to simply visit the store during a scheduled club meeting time.
Like the ARGO Books Facebook page and bookmark their website to keep up-to-date on upcoming club meetings or other exciting events. Begin your creative adventure at ARGO Books today! Visit ARGO Books at 6 North Spring Street in Buckhannon.
