Transit
Fine Arts Gallery		 Oil City Arts Council
 
 

 

 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.


 WE WELCOME THE FOLLOWING
 "ARTISTS-OF-THE-MONTH" IN 2012.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COME VISIT US
 AND SEE THEIR WONDERFUL WORK.
 
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

FEBRUARY

     We open this new year with a very special and unique exhibit entitled “The Art of Acoma.”  Acoma is a small pueblo located high atop a beautiful mesa not far from the old Route 66 in New Mexico and is the oldest continually inhabited community in North America. The artwork of the Acoma people is truly a delight and we will showcase some wonderful old pottery of  Juana Leno whose work is currently in the Smithsonian.  Juana is the grandmother of an Oil City resident, Tawyna Resinger who is sharing this wonderful work plus other Acoma treasures with us for the month.    

MARCH

     It is with great honor and pleasure that we exhibit Swantje-Elke Jewelry in March. Swan has taken her background in Interior Design to create her one-of-a-kind pieces. She believes in simple sophistication, whereby, her style is graciously simple and elegant.  Her work can also be found in Studio 22D on the 2nd floor of the Transit Building.

APRIL

 (To be announced)

MAY

     We welcome Shon Gaworski, a new studio artist in Studio 20 on the 2nd floor of the Transit Building.  You will be fascinated with her oil paintings, often created on salvaged doors or panels……they make you smile and feel good!  Reflecting the concept of trans-cendentalism, her work emphasizes the intuitive and spiritual feelings within us all.

JUNE

     Charlotte Randall  exhibits “The World of Puppetry” with her handmade puppets of all sizes, shapes and description.  There is an ART to creating puppets and bringing them to life for others to enjoy and Gallery visitors of all ages are sure to love this display!

JULY

    We are so proud to showcase the beautiful stained glass artistry of Maureen James this month.  From smaller art pieces to larger panels and lampshades, Maureen’s glasswork is always carefully executed and created to perfection.  Come see for yourself! Maureen can often be found in her studio on the 2nd floor of the Transit Building.  

AUGUST

     Paul O’Neil  is somewhat of a new potter in our area and one who calls himself  an outsider artist.  This gentleman, with a diverse background and now retired because of medical reasons, has a great passion for working with clay.  His pottery  is uniquely his own designs and colors and tend to be utilitarian in nature.  You can quickly see how he puts his own love and style into each piece.  Don’t miss his new “fish” artwork!!

SEPTEMBER

      Lynn Kibbe, our featured artist for September, is a self-taught artist who specializes in the relatively new fine art medium of Scratchboard.  Instead of adding medium such as ink or pencil to a surface, the medium is removed with very simple tools. The result is breathtakingly beautiful and exacting….you need to see this unique exhibit…you won’t be disappointed!    

OCTOBER

     We welcome Rosalyn Parker, an artist who works in a variety of disciplines, to the Transit this month.  Over the years she has studied with many well-known instructors and her work is a reflection of all the skills she has acquired.  From pencil to paintbrush, from oils to watercolors, this artist has developed her own style of work sure to be enjoyed. Her studio  #2B  is located on the 2nd floor of the Transit Annex Building.

NOVEMBER

     What a delightful collection of handcarved seasonal fun that Tom Niles exhibits in November!   All carved from basswood, Tom’s Santas and Snowmen are simply loved by so many people and have become part of permanent collections in many area homes. We are proud to have so many on display throughout the holiday season!    

dECEMBER

     “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!