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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,
Yvonne Klapec and Linda Lineman. 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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WE WELCOME THE
FOLLOWING
"ARTISTS-OF-THE-MONTH" IN 2010.
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 2010 |
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“Snowy” artwork
from a variety of different artists is on
tap this month. |
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FEBRUARY 2010 |
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Claudia Lee Allen opens our
year of featured artists with a month-long
exhibit of exquisite watercolors and colored
pencil artwork. “Everyone experiences art
from their own perspective,” she believes
and when you view her work, it is sure to
bring delightfully new concepts to mind as
well as stir up old memories. Claudia has
recently relocated from Florida to our area
where she maintains Artist Studio “N” in the
Transit Building Annex. |
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MARCH 2010 |
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The photography of
Liz Graham is featured in March. Her
work focuses on nature and
architecture…..especially local churches &
public buildings such as our very own
National Transit Building. Watch for Liz
and her camera as you walk around downtown
Oil City. |
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April 2010 |
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We are honored to exhibit the fine
artwork of Bill Perry during this
Spring month. Bill’s work consists of both
watercolor and oil paintings. Since his
retirement from public school teaching, he
has returned to painting in earnest and we
are fortunate to have him on board as an
instructor again this year at the Oil Valley
Center for the Arts. |
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MAY 2010 |
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“Exploring
Ourselves” is the title of May’s artist
Sufana Chowdhury. This unusual exhibit
will consist of digital paintings and
enhanced photography. These non-traditional
images are sure to awaken the senses within
the viewers and evoke intra-personal
communication. |
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June 2010 |
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Bill Brady, Jr
displays his award-winning creative
sculpture in the Transit Gallery this
month. Bill has an intense interest in all
things mechanical and his metal mobiles
are sure to put a smile
on your face…..so come early and come often
to see his work throughout the Gallery in
June! |
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JULY 2010 |
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“4 Seasons
Creations” will delight our summer visitors
as Artist/Photographer Holly
Berlin shares her award-winning
photography with us. You’ll see flowers &
other subjects of nature in their colorful &
natural state…with plenty of close-up shots
which will tempt you to reach up and pick a
bouquet! Holly maintains Studio 27A in the
National Transit Studios. |
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august 2010 |
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We are pleased to showcase
“Ally’s Art” by Alice Walkowski this
month. This is an exhibit of fine silver
jewelry handcrafted by Alice using Precious
Metal Clay which is .999% silver to create
beautiful jewelry of all kinds. A retired
Oil City educator, Alice now maintains
Artist Studio 26C in the Transit
Building. |
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September 2010 |
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Kathi
McCorkle brings us a great collection of
her wonderful “folk art” this month.
A local folk artist who
specializes in primitive dolls, Kathi has
been working on this outstanding & unique
multi-media artform for 28 years. Please do
stop by to see this terrific fall exhibit! |
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October 2010 |
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“Poetry in Motion” is the title of this
exhibit by Jim Stack. Jim, retired
Oil City Fire Chief, loves to paint with
oils and his collection here this month
features paintings of dancers as they move
gracefully around the dance floor. He uses
color and motion to depict his dancing
figures |
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November 2010 |
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Bill Moon, newly elected
City Council member, kicks off the holiday
season in the Gallery with his collection of
lazer-cut ornaments and items for home
decorations. These finely-cut wood and
acrylic items can also be personalized for
the perfect holiday gift. |
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December 2010 |
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“Holidays in the
Gallery” finds us celebrating 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. Don’t forget to stop by
the Transit Building on December 31st
for our FIRST NIGHT fun & festivities…we’ll
be open until midnight in the Gallery! |
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