Arts group plans Memorial Day celebration
By MICHAEL MOLITORIS

The four bronze statues created by students will be placed in the city May 26.

Oil City’s downtown arts revitalization committee is planning a day-long arts celebration Memorial Day weekend to welcome four student-created bronze statues to the city landscape.

Oil City Council on Monday approved the Sunday, May 26, festivities, billed as an all-day affair. Events are set to start at 10 a.m. and finish at 8 p.m.

Joann Wheeler, coordinator of the arts revitalization committee, said the celebration will include the use of the Justus Park band shell for singer-songwriter performances, light refreshments and opportunities for local restaurants to set up as vendors.

In a letter to council, Wheeler also indicated that some children’s activities may be on tap that would be coordinated through school personnel or local artists.

The day will center around four bronze statues that New York State artist Dave Poulin helped children create in a handful of the city’s elementary schools. Children were involved in every step of the statue process — from choosing the water theme of each statue and modeling for the likenesses to helping physically create the pieces.

Council also approved Oil City Arts Council’s use of Justus Park for its annual Friday night Arts in the Park concerts, as well as the annual Jolly July 3 events.

Admission to the Independence Day festivities, as well as the six planned Friday night concerts is free.

The Dave Brozeski Big Band and the Gordon-James Big Band are slated to appear for the Jolly July 3 events. Planned for the Arts in the Park series are the Katy Bowser Duo, Franklin’s Silver Cornet Band, a barbershop evening with Fireside Harmony and Rhythm and Flair, Mark DeWalt and Catro, Big Leg Emma and Yankee Zydeco.

“It’s a great lineup,” said Councilman Neil McElwee.

“The arts council needs to be commended for their hard efforts in doing these things,” added Mayor Ed Sharp.