Steve and Rita Bower both attended Mansfield University earning B.S. and Master’s Degrees in Art Education. Rita taught for thirty-five years in the Southern Tioga School District. Steve worked in different school districts, including Southern Tioga. From 2001 to 2008, Steve also served as an adjunct professor at Mansfield University teaching Drawing and Water Base Media. Both Rita and Steve are now retired from teaching full time and together they have continued to create and exhibit their artwork professionally.
The Bowers visited Egypt and have both been influenced by what they discovered there. These “Inspired by Egypt” artworks can be viewed in an exhibition at the Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center at 134 Main Street, Wellsboro from October through Dickens of a Christmas weekend. There will be an opening reception with the artists from 6-8PM on Friday, October 8th and a second holiday reception on Sunday, November 21st from 1-4PM. The art is a combination of Rita and Steve’s individual styles in media including sculpture, watercolor, drawings, and mixed media monotypes.
Steve believes the highlight of his painting career is simply to have been fortunate enough to work successfully as an artist for fifteen years. Exhibiting his paintings in the American Watercolor Society as well as numerous national and regional exhibitions has also been fulfilling. Recently, Steve turned his attention to creating ceramic and steel sculptures. Three of these Ceramic and steel towers were commissioned to be the artistic focus in the newly constructed UPMC Cancer Center in Williamsport, Pa.
Rita loves using a variety of art mediums and techniques to express herself in her art-making. She draws inspiration from traveling, study, sharing ideas, and the connectedness of these in every day living. Rita participates in juried, group and individual shows, as well as teaching student and adult art classes. Recently, inspired by the curiosity of layering mediums, she created a series of Egyptian-inspired monotypes. The Bowers will be offering a monotype workshop at the Gmeiner Art &Cultural Center on Saturday, December 5th from 1-4PM. Rita will be teaching 2-3 different monotype techniques. The cost is $50 (nonrefundable) which includes all materials. Adults and children 15 and older are welcome to attend. The class size will be limited to 10 people. Attendees should bring an apron, smock, or old t-shirt to protect their clothing. The Bowers will be offering the same workshop at their “studio-classroom” at the Pajama Factory in Williamsport earlier that week. Contact the Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center at 570-724-1917
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