In anticipation of the Beaver Area Heritage Foundation’s Annual Garrison Day on June 8, we would like to take you on a journey through Beaver’s history in the Arts, through present day.
Beaver’s rich history of appreciation of the arts and artisanry could be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Arts were a component of the curriculum at Beaver College when it was founded in 1853. Additionally, many of the notable Victorian homes and buildings were built during that time period. The area of Beaver roughly between the Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad tracks, Fair Avenue, 5th Street, 3rd Street, and Sassafras Lane has been named to the National Register of Historic Places because of its historical significance (only about 5% of US municipalities are so recognized).
Residents of Beaver have belonged to several area artist groups, including Beaver Valley Arts and Beaver Art Group.
Beaver Valley Artists, a group of working artists and art admirers from Beaver County, formed in 1977 to promote the study, practice and appreciation of fine arts in southwestern Pennsylvania. The organization generally meets at 7 PM on the second Thursday of the month in September, October, November, February, March, April and May at Merrick Art Gallery.
Beaver Art Group has also been around for over 40 years and consists of a group of artists from Beaver and surrounding communities. The Beaver Art Group is an “open studio” concept where artists work on their own projects, often with the guidance of an experienced instructor. The group meets the last Tuesday of September through the first Tuesday of December, and then the last Tuesday of January through the last Tuesday of May in the Beaver Area High School art room at 7 PM.
Those curious about the arts can also visit Beaver Area Memorial Library. Among the library’s collection, they will find a wide resource of art books.
BEAVER ARTISTS
The borough is lucky in the fact that it has art studios on Third Street. Carol Volz Begley PSA has an Art Studio at 568 Third Street on the Second Floor. She paints a variety of still-life, floral, landscapes and portraits in oils, pastels, charcoal and pen & ink. She also teaches classes for children and adults. To learn more, visit www.carolbegley.com. Begley’s artwork is on display at Courtney-Laughlin Frame Studio as well.
Row Press, also at 568 Third Street on the Second Floor, is home to artist Rosemary Macuga Thellman. At her studio, shoppers can purchase cards, prints, tea towels, and tote bags from original art.
ART EVENTS
Local Artists were celebrated during Underground Beaver’s “Artists in Action” earlier in
May 2019. Attendees were able to learn from local artists and ticket cost proceeds will be donated to fund an educational art cart at the Beaver Area Memorial Library.
Garrison Day will be held at the central parks in Beaver from 9 am – 5 pm on June 8, 2019. The festival will have hundreds of arts and crafts, antiques, and food vendors, as well as an art show and music by the Fort McIntosh Fife and Drum Corps.
Courtney-Laughlin Frame Studio will have two receptions this season featuring artwork by area artists. During the Beaver Area Chamber of Commerce’s Wine Festival in September, the studio will carry work by Youngstown artist Noreen. The studio will have a reception on October 24th featuring artwork by Brighton Township artist Ed Hancock.
Another way to view art from local artists is to attend the Beaver Area Chamber of Commerce’s Beaver Art Walk on October 5 from 10 am to 4 pm in the Beaver Business District. There will be art demonstrations, live music, and more.
Finally, an exhibition of Beaver Art Group is planned for October 13, 2019 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at the Merrick Art Gallery.
Beaver has much to offer if you are looking for ways to feed your artistic soul. As the famous textile artist Anni Albers once said, “Art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness.”
For more information on Beaver Festivals and Events:
