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See Oil City:
Oil City
Facts and Photo Tour
http://www.youtube.com/
www.youtube.com/thelatonia
www.youtube.com/dittman07
Read About Oil City:
Art
Calendar March, 2008
Ten Great Towns for Working Artists
http://spectator.org/archives
http://www.cbsnews.com/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/
http://abcnews.go.com/
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Oil City, PA,
birthplace of the oil industry and former headquarters of Standard Oil,
Quaker State, and Pennzoil, is a town in northwestern Pennsylvania built by
millionaires -- and abandoned by the oil companies in the mid-nineties for the richer oilfields of
Texas. It is in the process of re-inventing itself, and the core of a
lively and committed arts community
is growing in Oil City's distinctive turn-of-the-century buildings.
With urban markets in Erie, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Buffalo in easy
reach, more and more artists are becoming small-town transplants -- and
small towns like Oil City are becoming vibrant centers of creativity.
"I moved to Oil City in
1996 because I could buy a house here for less than a year's rent in Boston --
and because I found
a great combination of small town living and city amenities
here," says Joann Wheeler, the artist who is heading up the Oil City arts
revitalization
effort. "The area boasts an airport, a new regional medical
center, safe schools, a
branch campus of Clarion
University, fine community theaters, a
thriving music scene, excellent libraries, beautiful,
affordable
Victorian homes, and
a well-equipped arts center and
gallery, all in a breathtaking rural setting of wooded hills and pristine
waterways." |
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National Transit Building
and Annex (photo McElwee)
Transit Fine Art Gallery
National Transit Express (photo H. Berlin)
Oil City Victorian home
- We're transforming space in the
historic National Transit Building and Annex into an
arts incubator
with
museum, teaching, exhibition/retail and studio space. We currently host
more than 20 artists in the National Transit Studios.
- We've changed zoning laws to
accommodate live-work-gallery space in our gracious Victorian homes.
- We're working on
artist
relocation incentives:
a 100% financing package to help working artists and arts-related
businesses
who relocate here to the arts district get off to a good start.
- We're offering
business support
in the marketing of art, small business principles, and e-marketing.
- We're building on established
local
festivals and
developing new arts-centered
events --
And
we're welcoming working artists who want to join us here!
If your dream
is to live and create in a small, artist-friendly town --
join the 14 artist-relocators and 20+ area artists
who are building an arts community here!
Let us hear from you!
Click here for links to
artists working here now!
Email
for more information, and put the words "artist relocation" in your subject
line.
Include your mailing address
if you would like an information packet.
Or leave a message at 814-676-5303. Or come
visit and let us show you
around!
Please give us
a few business days' notice and some idea of what you are looking for,
so that
we can help you accomplish
as much as possible while you are here.
If I know you are coming, I will be sure to be in the office to work with you!
What's News in the Arts?
Arts Revitalization/Artist Relocation
Program News and Pictures
Keep the Oil Region Indie spirit alive --
Join us again on second Saturdays July 11, August 8, and September 12
on Seneca street
for music (5:00 - 9:00 pm), Open Studios (2:00 - 8:00 pm),
and the North Side Business Association's Second Saturday Street Fairs.
Food, kid's activities, vendors, music, art -- see you there!
Check
www.myspace.com/oilregionindie for performers and times.
Oil City Arts Council's Jolly July
3rd celebration will be in Justus Park.
Petting zoo, face painting, hands-on activities for the kids in the afternoon,
music and fireworks display for everyone in the evening.
Check www.ocartscouncil.com for
details.
  
photos by Stephen West - Mitch Littler on guitar, Indie Fest
visitors jam in Pipeline Alley, Erin Wincek on pottery wheel
Saturday, June 13: Oil Region
Indie Music and Art Festival, 2 - 9 pm on Seneca Street
Two stages, art demos, food and craft vendors, activities
Free Admission -- Rain or Shine.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Indie Fest music was just great -- and from the hands-on potter's wheels to
stained glass to marionettes to 3-D photography
there was something for everyone, and lots of people to enjoy it! Thanks to all who took part -- we
couldn't have asked
for a better day or a better crowd!
The Howling Dog Gallery-Cafe SOLD (photo
J. Sowden)
As of June 1, the old Howling Dog
has become the Derrick Deli -- the same specialty coffees and teas, great
atmosphere,
and a new deli menu in the heart of the arts district.
And right next door, the Singers building has been purchased and is being
renovated with the arts in mind.
Look for new Art Inside banners on the lamp posts of the arts district!
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