Clarion University-Venango Campus will host a reception on Friday, October 16, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. to open an exhibit of art by visual artist and private art instructor George R. Clooney. A concert featuring performers Namoli Brennet and Aiden James will follow the reception. Both events will be held in Robert W. Rhoades Center at the campus, and are free and open to the public.

 

Aiden James

           Cooley, who describes his work as "Trans Avant-garde," recently moved to Oil City from Massachusetts. He currently works in Studio 22A in the National Transit Building and is a member of Oil City's Arts Revitalization Committee.

            Trained as a filmmaker, printmaker, and in the fine arts, Cooley focuses on painting and drawing. His work has been displayed most recently in several western Pennsylvania businesses, as well as in Massachusetts at ArtsWorcester, Westborough Art Emporium, Arts Center at Southborough, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Worcester Historical Society, at the Fuller Museum, and in private collections.

            Cooley earned his undergraduate degree in fine arts at Chicago Art Institute and pursued graduate studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and Kendall School of Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

            Namoli Brennet has toured the country many times over, making stops at the San Diego Indie Music Fest, DC Pride, The Bitter End in New York, Boston's Club Passim, and hundreds of coffee shops, clubs, festivals, colleges, and house concerts. Along the way she has had the privilege of sharing the stage with Melissa Ferrick, Jill Sobule, Michelle Shocked, and spoken-word artist Alix Olson.

Namoli has been described as one of the most original and exciting voices to emerge on the music scene in recent years.  She has performed several times in the Oil City area, to an increasing fan base. Namoli's music resonates with authenticity and her desire to help create a more compassionate, understanding world is made transparent by her songs and interactions with others.

            Since 2002 Brennet has self-produced 7 CDs, her most recent released in May of 2009. In addition to her songwriting, she has also written several commissions, as well as scoring two plays, Boy (2008), and an adaptation of The Odyssey written by Pulitzer-Prize winner Derek Walcott. Her music has also been featured in the upcoming documentary Out in the Silence.

Namoli Brennett

            Philadelphia-based Aiden James is a self-taught musician with a voice that's quietly powerful and strongly captivating. With an impressive tour under his belt stretching from Boston to San Francisco, James also has a new album, "On the Run," which is already getting quite a buzz. He recently did a live performance and interview on Clear Channel station 93.7 WSTW in Delaware/Philadelphia called "Hometown Heroes." His live set with Q&A on Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 109 got big kudos from host Larry Flick, who said, "amazing, such a talented man, and this is a great, great album."
            James has shared the stage with Elliot Yamin, Todd Martin, Adrianne, Heather Combs, Eric Himan, Betty, Gregory Douglass, Nicole Reynolds, Rachael Sage, Jay Brannan, and Pamela Means, among others.

            Clarion University-Venango Campus, located in Oil City, is the oldest regional campus in Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education.   The campus provides high-quality educational programs and personalized services to help students succeed.  Students can begin any of Clarion University's 90+ bachelor's degrees at the Venango Campus, earn an associate degree, a bachelor's or master's degree in select areas, obtain a one-year certificate or participate in a variety of professional development and personal enrichment courses.  The campus is home to Clarion University's School of Nursing and Allied Health, the Department of Applied Technology, and the Venango Department of Arts and Sciences.  Clarion University-Venango Campus is committed to serving the needs of the community.