OLEAN — Local artists will have studio and gallery space through the end of the year thanks to an initiative at the First National Building. The Tri-County Arts Council, New York-based ChaShaMa and Savarino Properties will host an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m.
Friday for the First National Bank Art Studios & Lobby Gallery. The event is free and light refreshments will be served. The space will provide six artists with studio and gallery space through the end of the year, said TCAC Executive Director Paula Bernstein.
“Like so many partnerships, we (at) TCAC and ChaShaMa were put on an email together,” Bernstein said, crediting Luke Cusack, a vice president of Buffalo-based developer Savarino which renovated the bank building. The groups first made contact in February, and quickly decided to work together. “After one Zoom meeting, we started a beautiful partnership,” Bernstein said.
“ChaShaMa and Savarino have been wonderful partners to work with as TCAC continues to advocate for the creation and appreciation of arts in Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties and Southern Tier Region.” The arts council hosted an open call for artisans throughout the group’s coverage area. The artists to be featured include Theresa Heinz of Cuba, Sean Huntington of Olean, Jason Nysos Lynch of Olean, Fileve Tlaloc Palmer of Great Valley, Eva Potter of Allegany, and Tara Walker of Olean.
The studios are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.
m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; .