LOCAL ART: Tonight, members of the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce will have a chance to view the work of regional artists when Business After Hours is held at the newly formed McKean County Arts Council.
Fifty years ago, another newly formed group was showing local art in downtown Bradford: the Bradford Art Center.
From July 11-12, 1968, members of the Bradford Art Center, which had opened the October before, showcased their work in Veterans Square.
This article appeared in the Wednesday, July 10, 1968, edition of The Era:
“The Bradford Art Center will present “Art in the Park,” its first sidewalk exhibit, this Thursday and Friday at Veterans Square.
“Between 10 and 15 members of the Center will show sketches and painting done in oil, water colors and acrylics, according to Mrs. Gloria Miller, exhibit chairman. She has been assisted in organizing the display by Jack Jensen.”
The artists took advantage of the summer weather to bring their outside rather than showcase it in their West Corydon Street location.
“Exhibitors are all members of the Art Center which is housed at 41 W. Corydon St. in a building given for its use by the city. Since its opening last October the Center has functioned as a studio and gallery for local artists. Of nearly 40 members, the group includes both amateurs and those who have studied art extremely.
“Exhibitors at the sidewalk show will each set up their own display as they wish, said Mrs. Miller. She anticipates that each artist will show an average of five pieces. Some members of the organization who will participate in the display have held private shows previously.
“Items on display will be for sale unless otherwise indicated, said Mrs. Miller. There will be some fluctuation in the exhibits as artists will take down their displays when they are not present, she indicated.
“Mrs. Dorothy Dunton, who is credited by Mrs. Miller for having conceived the idea of the Center, indicated that the Center is the outgrowth of other art associations who have presented sidewalk shows in past years.”
The show featured work by Mrs. Connie Griffin, Mrs. Lucille Greer, Mrs. Frances Hendry, Leonard Mackowski, Bernard Olson, Mrs. Dorothy Dunton, Mrs. Virginia Crouse, Paul Hajdu, Miss Helen Smathers, Miss Elizabeth Terpak, Mrs. Gloria Miller, Mrs. Jack Jensen, Mrs. Beulah Bolin, Mrs. Dolores Swanson, Miss Linda Rosenfield, Miss Carolyn Yonker and Lloyd English.
