FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — The public is invited to view the free Nature Art Showcase in Franklin on Friday, February 3, and Saturday, February 4, featuring the diverse work of 28 artists depicting outdoor natural scenes and recreational activities found within Clarion, Crawford, and Venango Counties.

(Pictured above: “Sunflowers – Local Agriculture” by Debra Frawley of Kennerdell will be on display this weekend at the Second Annual Nature Art Showcase.)

During the Franklin On Ice festival this coming weekend, visitors may come inside the lobby of the Barrow-Civic Theatre at 1223 Liberty Street (directly across from the downtown park containing the ice sculptures) to check out four seasons of natural beauty as seen in this pleasant warm setting.  This Second Annual Nature Art Showcase is coordinated by the Council on Greenways and Trails.

Friday evening, a free public reception from 6:00 p.m. to 8;00 p.m. provides an excellent opportunity for guests to meet the participating artists and enjoy light refreshments.

“Holey Jeans” (a lively group of young vocalists) will perform several numbers at 6:30 p.m.  A special grants announcement ceremony at 7:00 p.m. will find the Erie Arts & Culture providing news and checks to area art organizations and artists on behalf of the Pa. Partners in the Arts.

Saturday’s hours for the Nature Art Showcase are 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., with free refreshments available as long as they last.

This year’s art entries are quite varied.

While photography was the most popular media for participants, there are also acrylic paintings, metal sculptures, fabric items, hand-woven baskets, wood carvings, drawings in colored pencil, paintings on recycled wood and slate, stained glass mosaics, books consisting entirely of photographs from along the area’s trails, copper hammered pieces, watercolor paintings, polymer clay paintings, and wood burl bowls.

Sponsors for this Second Annual Nature Art Showcase include the following:

• Barrow-Civic Theatre; the Be Here Initiative of Venango Area Chamber of Commerce;
• Erie Arts & Culture;
• Franklin Fine Arts Council and Franklin On Ice;
• Oil City Arts Council;
• Oil Region Alliance;
• Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce;
• Titusville Council on the Arts;
• Victorian City Art & Frame.

The attending public will vote for a “People’s Choice” award, which is a handmade sunflower vase provided courtesy of Campbell’s Pottery.