Gmeiner Center to celebrate 55 years with exhibit

WELLSBORO, Pa. ( WETM ) — A Wellsboro art gallery is celebrating a milestone anniversary, and you’re invited.

The Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center first opened its doors to the public in October 1969. The center, which is located at 134 Main St. in Wellsboro, is celebrating the 55th anniversary of its opening with a special exhibit of its founder’s work and a free reception.

The center’s Main Gallery will be filled with Arthur Gmeiner’s paintings from Saturday, Oct. 12, through Sunday, Nov. 3. A reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 12 will mark the exhibit’s opening. The public is invited to admire Gmeiner’s artworks and enjoy some light refreshments provided by the Wellsboro Art Club during this free reception.

According to Gmeiner Director Carrie Heath, Arthur Gmeiner painted hundreds of oil paintings in his 101-year-long life. Gmeiner was born on a farm near Liberty in 1884 and went on to graduate from what’s now Commonwealth University-Mansfield. Gmeiner worked as a teacher in Illinois and Colorado before retiring and dedicating himself to painting.

Heath says Gmeiner wanted to find a place to display his art and considered the Denver area before looking to his roots in the Twin Tiers. Gmeiner offered to create an arts center for many towns across the region before Wellsboro accepted the offer. The Green Free Library’s board donated land behind the library for the mid-century modern center to be built. After opening, the center was a great success and became Gmeiner’s legacy.

The Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center is open from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and gallery admission is free. The center offers creative workshops and events for the community and rotating exhibits. You can visit the center’s website to see current and upcoming events.

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