ARTS Oil City

09/25/2026

All of my colleagues at the Oil Region Alliance are wonderful and special in unique ways. But Jessica Gorman holds a special place for the artists who have studios in the National Transit Building/Oil City Civic Center. She's the smiling face that greets you at the front desk each month when you drop off your rent check. And, she is always willing to go out of her way to help us find information and resources when we need help! Happy Birthday Jessica, from all of the artists you help throughout the year!

Today the ORA is celebrating the birthday of our Executive Assistant and IT Specialtist Jessica Gorman! Jessica answers the phone and the door, keeps our CEO on track, literally pays the bills, deals with security alarm calls, changes the toner and even more importantly the dreaded toner waste container, and about a million other things on any given day. She's also a Boy Mom x4! A regular volunteer, especially at Oil City Uncorked. A sports booster. And an unofficial cheerleader of all things Oil Region. It's going to be a good day! Happy birthday, Jessica!

09/13/2026

Thank you Oil City Main Street Program, Stevette Wano Rosen, Main Street volunteers, artisan vendors, musicians, sponsors, and everyone else who worked to make this special weekend a reality!

09/13/2026

ARMA FEST IS IN FULL SWING FOR THIS SUNNY SUNDAY!!

Participants of the Allegheny River Music and Arts Outdoor Festival braved the weather as long as they could yesterday. Now, they are back today and ready for you to visit! 

Make your way down to Justus Park for family friendly activities, food trucks, and all the art, craft, author, wellness and other vendors who have worked hard to create products and set up for this event. They need your support so please give as much as you can!

SHOP LOCAL and support the creative entrepreneurs who contribute their positive energy and beauty to our community!

Check the schedule on the attached brochure.

Vendors, tag yourself and share a photo of your booth in the comments!

The Fallen Shoppe, Jae Austen Art, The Rhoads Gone Rogue, Space Art by Christopher Doll, Hollow Oak Press, Wye Bridge Hobbies, Freakinlexart, The Craft Cottage by Kate. If we missed someone, please tag them!

09/11/2026

Thanks Be Here Venango for always keeping us informed of what's happening. There is so much going on this weekend! https://www.facebook.com/BeHereVenango/posts/pfbid02apowvs3rJeTgDtX3FyJhK3qNHSwoXr27ypSmut5YXsFLdNoHjBeZh2qxUP5BnxWml

📍 THERE IS SO MUCH HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND.
Seriously. Have you looked at the calendar?! 👀

One of our favorite things about living here is seeing a weekend like this and realizing just how much is happening across our communities.

🎨 A brand-new art gallery opening in Franklin - Eight & 322
🧵 The Franklin Public Library Quilt-a-Thon
🎶 Live music throughout the weekend
🐾 PetFest
⚙️ Fall Gas Up at Drake Well Museum and Park
🚲 Allegheny River Music & Arts Festival - A family-friendly bike poker run
🎬 A silent film with LIVE musical accompaniment - Venango Museum of Art, Science & Industry
🥁 Music in Oil Country with 13 marching bands at OC High School
🎤 Poetry and an open mic - The Bridge Literary Arts Center
🏃 The first Pathways ARMA Fest Half Marathon
🎨 Artists, makers, demonstrations and kids' activities throughout ARMA Fest
🪩 And yes, even a 2010s nostalgia dance party at The Purple Goose

And that STILL isn't everything. 😅
This is what we mean when we say BE HERE. 💚

People are creating things, opening businesses, organizing festivals, making music, volunteering, bringing people together and giving us reasons to get out and enjoy where we live.

So this weekend, GO DO SOMETHING. And when you do, help spread the excitement! 📸

👇 What are YOU doing this weekend? Drop your plans in the comments and help someone else find something to do!

Because the more we share what’s happening here, the more people get to see just how much there is to do here.

📅 And when you need ideas, check the Be Here Venango Community Calendar. There are even more events waiting for you:
beherevenango.org/calendar/

09/11/2026

If you haven't already made your plans to attend Allegheny River Music & Arts Festival this weekend, watch this news segment and pick the events you want to do! This event has been planned over many month and tireless hours put in by Stevette and hoards of volunteers at Oil City Main Street Program!
SUPPORT THE ARTS!

Click here to view this video from erienewsnow.com.

09/11/2026

Did you miss out on our fun video screening event earlier this summer? If you wanted to see the Oil City Artist Video Interviews but couldn't attend our watch party, join us tonight in town square! Partnering with Be Here Venango, we will be showing the 30 minute film repeatedly starting about 7:30 during Oil City Main Street Program's "Uncorked W**e, Shine, Hops and Shop Walk"! If you are picking up your purchases at the Elks, stop and watch for a while.

The 30 minute film features interviews with Jamie Bastello, Kaleb Lewis of The Fallen Shoppe, Rafi And Klee Studios, Marcy Hall Art, Kelsey May Photography, CJ Hurley Century Arts.

Oil Region Alliance will also be announcing the winners of the Outdoor Recreation Grant contest starting at 5pm.

09/10/2026

Oil City Main Street Program's 2nd Annual Allegheny River Music & Arts Festival kicks off tomorrow, late afternoon and there is a fantastic lineup of events and activities happening throughout the weekend. This is the end of summer event that you do not want to miss! Make a trip downtown to shop the artist and crafter booths to buy something for yourself and gifts for your friends. Lounge in Justus Park and enjoy music during the Battle of the Bands. Take your turn at the microphone during The Bridge Literary Arts Center's Open Mic. Catch the silent film at the Venango Museum of Art, Science & Industry. There are many opportunities to participate and support all through the weekend. DON'T MISS OUT!!

09/10/2026

Congratulations to Eight & 322! The new gallery is officially open and you should check it out. We know there are a lot of community events happening tonight, but if you are in Franklin, you should definitely stop by and enjoy the opening celebration. Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1092626356759967/?active_tab=discussion

08/27/2026

The OIL CITY SUMMER OF ART continues this weekend!! Next up are the literary artists! The Oil Region Library Association 6th Annual Oil Region Festival of the Book takes place Saturday and the weather is looking like it will be perfect for this outdoor event.

Grab your friends and family and take advantage of this great opportunity to meet the writers and many artists who illustrate their own publications. One more opportunity for you to SHOP LOCAL and SUPPORT THE CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS WHO CONTRIBUTE TO THE BEAUTY AND VIBRANCY OF OUR COMMUNITY!