Artists'
space in the National Transit Annex is beginning to fill up, and more
interest has been expressed in leasing additional space.
"We have four
artists there now and we have the potential of a fifth very soon," said
Joann Wheeler, arts revitalization coordinator for Oil City, at a meeting
this week.
Studio space
in the annex has been rented by Joe Gerzina, Linda Lineman, Marguerite
Emanuele and Holly Jarzenski-Berlin. Their talents range from porcelain
painting to stained glass work.
The
multi-story Transit Annex has the potential to house 30 to 40 small
studios. Owned by the non-profit Oil City Civic Center, the structure has
been leased to the Oil City Arts Council that intends to use it as an
artists' work center.
While the
tenants will use their space for production, a co-operative arts exhibit
and sales area may eventually be developed on the ground floor of the
annex, said Lee Mehlberger, a member of the Arts Council.
Wheeler
added, "It will take a while until the building becomes a full-time
destination but it will come."
In other
matters, musical groups are being sought for the Arts Council's Pipeline
Alley 2008 summer concert series. Ron Shoup, a committee member, said the
organization "welcomes other performers."
Shoup also
told the group an Oil Country Bluegrass Festival is scheduled Feb. 15-17
in Oil City. Seven bands have been booked so far, said Shoup, and multiple
performances will be offered throughout each of the three days. The
Arlington Hotel will be the location of all the performances.
Information
on the arts revitalization efforts is available by calling Wheeler at
676-5303 or checking www.artsoilcity.com on the Internet.