An exquisite art gallery tucked into the lower floor of the National Transit Building in downtown Oil City has a new look, a change in management style and an ambitious revitalization plan.
“It needed a revamp, a fresh look,” said Lena Wheeler, a local artist and board member of the Oil City Arts Council that oversees the Transit Arts Gallery & Gifts shop in the National Transit Building. “We want this to be the arts center for Oil City.”
Lena and her mother, Evelyn Wheeler, are leading the effort on behalf of the Arts Council to sizzle up the gallery that is marking its 25th year in 2020.
There was talk about keeping it closed because of volunteer staffing issues, low patronage and an uncertain future.
“When COVID hit, there was a push to close completely. The Arts Council needed a viable solution to not have that happen,” said Evelyn. “So, we revisited it in April and decided we needed to make it viable for artists, viable for the region. We did a big overview and came up with a plan.”
A new organization
In reopening the gallery, the enterprise became a membership-driven organization with a straightforward goal of supporting the local and regional art community.
Artists become members of the gallery by paying a $25 monthly fee to have their work displayed and put on sale. They also agree to work four hours a month at the gallery.
The benefits of a membership include gallery space, the elimination of any commission fees that had been paid to the gallery and the “opportunity to network and learn business and art skills from other artists,” said Lena.
“The reason for the change is that we wanted artists’ involvement in the gallery. Before, we did it with all volunteers,” said Evelyn.
Under the new arrangement, the Transit Arts Gallery and Gifts reopened July 3 with 23 artists signed on as members. On that one day, about $1,050 worth of art done by more than a dozen artists and craftsmen sold to the public.
The array of artists’ work at the gallery includes handmade soaps, jewelry, sculpture, paintings, handmade cards, photography, stained glass, woodworking and more. The spacious two-room gallery promotes art of all types and sizes ranging from customized beverage coasters featuring local scenes to a large 3-D piece topped by a sculpted bison head and featuring steam punk embellishments.
“We have professional artists here and amateur artists who wish to be professional,” said Lena. “There really is something for everyone.”
Promoting the arts
The gallery/gift shop is open to the public from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The location, however, will also serve as the headquarters for the Oil City Arts Council.
In addition, the gallery will work in conjunction with the Oil Valley Center for the Arts art classes at the Oil Creek Earthworks Pottery Studio in the National Transit Building and will offer on-site and art-based classes as well as on-line classes.
“COVID doesn’t stop us – it makes us more creative,” said Evelyn. “We want the gallery to be the center, the headquarters, for the arts as we promote all the arts. That’s the Arts Council’s purpose – to promote and foster public interest and appreciation of all the arts. The patronage at the Transit shop is slow but growing. We know we can do this.”
