Historical Adventures of the Susquehanna Art Society
According to the Sunbury Daily Item article dated June 29, 1979, the Susquehanna Art Society (SAS) was formed to promote the advancement and enjoyment of the visual arts within the Central PA area, including, but not limited to, interests in painting, drawing, sculpture, and graphics. The first meeting was held in the home of Mrs. Sharon McCuen, Selinsgrove. Marion Greene presided over the business meeting. Dorothy Masom, artist and teacher, volunteered to work toward an early fall art show within the Selinsgrove area. Ann Gelnett, Lewisburg, curator of an English brass collection, demonstrated the craft of "brass rubbing".
Planning for the first regional art exhibition, which was to occur June 13-15, 1980, was held in the Selinsgrove Area Middle School. At this meeting, Carol Ewing gave a talk on Ukranian Easter Eggs; Odeana Strange read her children’s story (this was to become an illustrated booklet); Dorothy Masom demonstrated a silk-screening process for making posters for the SAS June Art Show and issued invitations to her encaustic painting exhibit at the Brown Library in Williamsport; George Bucher, Susquehanna University art professor, presented a panoramic experience of his art expressions; and John Troxell designed and presented the first SAS Logo.
The Society’s first regional exhibition, held in the Greta Ray Lounge of Weber Chapel Auditorium, Susquehanna University,
included 64 pieces of art by 30 artists from a radius of 40 miles. Winning first-place was Ken Hunter of Muncy, with an oil painting entitled, "Roots"; second-place winner was Brad Shoemaker of Lewisburg with his watercolor entitled, "Laid Back Patriot"; and third-place winner was Dorothy Masom, Selinsgrove, with an encaustic painting entitled, "Images". Judging the show were Ken Wilson, an art teacher at Bloomsburg State College, and Rodney Ries, an art teacher at the Selinsgrove High School.
The Susquehanna Art Society has continued shows since that first exhibition in 1980, to the present time. The Art Exhibits were held in the Selinsgrove Area Middle School, the Selinsgrove Area High School, Seibert Hall at Susquehanna University, and the last several years in the Community Room of the Degenstein Library, Sunbury, PA.
SAS monthly meetings have been held in members’ homes, churches, schools, businesses, or local galleries. The subjects or purposes of the meetings have ranged from Art History, to learning the latest techniques, as well as having member critiques, and hearing about new adventures by SAS members.
For a number of years the art shows alternated between a central PA show (all local artists are welcome) to a Regional Art Show, juried for entry and open to artists from Pennsylvania and surrounding states with prize money awarded to the winners.
At the present time, the annual art show is open to all artists of Pennsylvania. Funding for the Susquehanna Art Society show is a combination of dues, art show entry fees, donations, and an annual art surplus auction. The Susquehanna Art Society is a 501c3 organization
According to the Sunbury Daily Item article dated June 29, 1979, the Susquehanna Art Society (SAS) was formed to promote the advancement and enjoyment of the visual arts within the Central PA area, including, but not limited to, interests in painting, drawing, sculpture, and graphics. The first meeting was held in the home of Mrs. Sharon McCuen, Selinsgrove. Marion Greene presided over the business meeting. Dorothy Masom, artist and teacher, volunteered to work toward an early fall art show within the Selinsgrove area. Ann Gelnett, Lewisburg, curator of an English brass collection, demonstrated the craft of "brass rubbing".
Planning for the first regional art exhibition, which was to occur June 13-15, 1980, was held in the Selinsgrove Area Middle School. At this meeting, Carol Ewing gave a talk on Ukranian Easter Eggs; Odeana Strange read her children’s story (this was to become an illustrated booklet); Dorothy Masom demonstrated a silk-screening process for making posters for the SAS June Art Show and issued invitations to her encaustic painting exhibit at the Brown Library in Williamsport; George Bucher, Susquehanna University art professor, presented a panoramic experience of his art expressions; and John Troxell designed and presented the first SAS Logo.
The Society’s first regional exhibition, held in the Greta Ray Lounge of Weber Chapel Auditorium, Susquehanna University,
included 64 pieces of art by 30 artists from a radius of 40 miles. Winning first-place was Ken Hunter of Muncy, with an oil painting entitled, "Roots"; second-place winner was Brad Shoemaker of Lewisburg with his watercolor entitled, "Laid Back Patriot"; and third-place winner was Dorothy Masom, Selinsgrove, with an encaustic painting entitled, "Images". Judging the show were Ken Wilson, an art teacher at Bloomsburg State College, and Rodney Ries, an art teacher at the Selinsgrove High School.
The Susquehanna Art Society has continued shows since that first exhibition in 1980, to the present time. The Art Exhibits were held in the Selinsgrove Area Middle School, the Selinsgrove Area High School, Seibert Hall at Susquehanna University, and the last several years in the Community Room of the Degenstein Library, Sunbury, PA.
SAS monthly meetings have been held in members’ homes, churches, schools, businesses, or local galleries. The subjects or purposes of the meetings have ranged from Art History, to learning the latest techniques, as well as having member critiques, and hearing about new adventures by SAS members.
For a number of years the art shows alternated between a central PA show (all local artists are welcome) to a Regional Art Show, juried for entry and open to artists from Pennsylvania and surrounding states with prize money awarded to the winners.
At the present time, the annual art show is open to all artists of Pennsylvania. Funding for the Susquehanna Art Society show is a combination of dues, art show entry fees, donations, and an annual art surplus auction. The Susquehanna Art Society is a 501c3 organization