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The Transit Fine Arts Gallery, an all-volunteer directed arts organization working under the auspices of the Oil City Arts Council, is located in the historic National Transit Building at the corner of Seneca and Center Streets in downtown Oil City. It is open year-round with the hours of 10:00-4:00 on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday with extended hours during Oil Heritage Days in July and during the holiday season in December. The Gallery showcases the work of regional artists with work such as paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, woodworking, weaving, and much more..
More that 100 artists exhibit and sell their work in the Gallery every year. Nearly all of the artists are from Western Pennsylvania and most live in or around Venango County. A few with out-of-state addresses are artists with ties to the area who now live elsewhere. Artists sell their work on a consignment basis and are paid monthly.
The work varies from paintings to pottery, from jewelry to photography, from glassware to fine porcelain, and offers a wide range of items, both functional and decorative. Most of the work on display is one-of-a-kind. Some production work is also available, such as signed and numbered prints by several artists.
Among the regional artists in the Gallery are Fred Carrow, Mary Hamilton, Pauline Case, Robert Elliston, Ellen Amsler, Judy Slater, Jill Mattson, Helen Oxenham, Jack Paluh, Butch Quinn, Joanne Garret, Bob Tait, Yvonne Klapec, Linda Lineman, and the late Harry Hickman. Their painting talents stretch from watercolors, oils, acrylics, printmaking, and porcelain and from folk art to impressionism.
A special section of the Gallery houses a growing selection of books written by area authors. Many books are about the history of the Oil Region. Among the local writers are Margo Mong, Carolee Michener and David Swatzler......just to name a few. Several books of poetry by area poets are also available.
Also popular are CD's and tapes with music by local individuals and groups. Among these musicians are Rex Mitchell, Ken Hall, Jill Mattson, Jim Self, Cahal Dunne, and the band Phoenix. Recently added to the Gallery's collection is a tape of music from the Seneca Indian Nation.
Each month an "Artist of the Month" is named with special displays of their current work, and often an evening reception is held in the artist's honor.These events are open free to the public and intended as times for the artist to meet and greet guests and to answer questions about their work.
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This years Schedule of appearance for the Gallery
WE WELCOME THE
FOLLOWING
"ARTISTS-OF-THE-MONTH" IN 2008.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COME VISIT US
AND SEE THEIR WONDERFUL WORK.
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Our schedule is set for a full year of
artists and artwork at the Transit Fine Arts
Gallery and the Oil City Arts Council is
proud to announce the following featured
“Artists-of-the-Month.” For additional
information, call 677-3707. Mark your
calendar for these special exhibits |
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January |
| "Winter Art" is a collection of snowy
paintings & photography by a variety of
local artists such as Carol McDonald, Jerry
Sowden, Judy Slater, Judith Gallagher,
Robert Elliston & more. |
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February |
We honor the late Eugene Monrean, a
local basketmaker who made white oak baskets
from the tree-to-the-finished basket just as
his father,
grandfather and great-grandfather did. This
fourth-generation basketmaker was recognized
by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts for
his long history
of crafting functional baskets. A small
collection of his work will be on display in
the Gallery throughout the month. |
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March |
| Local potter Don Lombardo will exhibit
his work this month. This self-taught potter
with ten years of experience enjoys making
functional items such as pitchers, mugs,
bean pots....and more. What a delight to see
his work in our own Gallery! |
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April |
| Tom Shreve, Oil City artist, will
present his exhibit of mixed media paintings
"City in Abstraction" which focuses on the
character of architectural structures in
some Oil City buildings we know and love. |
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May |
| We celebrate "Bird Month" in May with
the wonderful paintings of Jocelyn Beatty
who focuses on her love of nature as she
creates colorful wildlife, strong in details
& composition to produce beautiful high
contrast
paintings in watercolor & acrylic. Her work
is represented in galleries throughout
Northeastern United States. Don't miss the
"Birding Festival" on the weekend of May
2-4......complete with guided birdwalks,
field trips, tours, outstanding speakers &
more....all coordinated by the Oil Region
Alliance. We salute our wonderful feathered
friends with artwork and festivals during
this fun month. |
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June |
| Clarion resident, Cathie Joslyn brings a
series of large, colorful fabric prints
titled "Luminous Threads" which is work from
her second trip to Peru. Ancient Andean
masks, birds, animals & magical motifs speak
of her experiences teaching art during a
Fulbright in South America. June is sure to
come alive in the Gallery with this amazing
artwork! |
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July |
| Chuck Stubler, retired businessman, Oil
City Arts Council Board Member & painter is
our featured artist this month. This local
gentleman has been painting for many, many
years and his work is outstanding! We are
pleased to present this collection of some
of his newest & most favorite work. |
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August |
| Donald Thomas, retired art instructor
from Keystone School District & Thiel
College, is our featured artist for August.
His oil paintings have won him honors in
various shows in the Pennsylvania/Ohio area
and in Scotland over the last 45
years....and now we are pleased to present
his work at the Transit Gallery. Don't miss
this exhibit! |
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September |
| "A Potpourri of the Arts" this month
helps us to celebrate the "OIL 150"
celebrations. We will be seeking artwork
from and about our "oil region." More
details TBA. |
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October |
| "The Colors of Fall" is a photography
exhibit by Jim Kronmiller. This Franklin
resident has been enjoying his art for many
years and is now teaching & sharing this
popular artform in our area.....in fact,
upstairs at the Oil Valley Art Center!! |
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November |
We welcome Sue Clark and her colorful
artwork this month...sure to bring a smile
and a warm feeling to us all. Sue, a
Franklin native who now lives and does her
artistic work in Hawaii, will be presenting
this month's
exhibit via long distance and via her twin
sister Kathi Clark who still resides in
Franklin. |
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December |
| "Holidays in the Gallery" We celebrate
the holidays with a variety of fine art &
craft work...items large & small,
appropriate for all of your gift-giving
needs. Unique one-of-a-kind art treasures &
fun seasonal items
will make the Gallery the place to visit
this month. And, don't forget to stop by the
National Transit Building on December 31st
for our FIRST NIGHT fun &
Festivities...we'll be open until midnight!!
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