Featured Artist: Janice Platt
By Anita Bowser
Throughout October and November, the art of Janice (Simcik) Platt, of Hermitage, will be on display at the Kittanning Public Library. Janice, 81, is self-taught and has been creating art for the past five decades.
There were no art classes or supplies in the one-room school house she attended. Grades 1 through 12 were conducted in the same Slate Lick building, in South Buffalo Township.
She was introduced to art and began to realize her own talents as an adult.
Janice described being entranced by The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross when she happened upon the PBS program all so many years ago.
“I was hooked for life,” she said. “And, by the way, it was all in black-and-white TV (in those days).”
Janice recorded Bob Ross on the best available technology of the time – a cassette recorder she borrowed from her local church.
She credits her supportive husband and children with giving her time, space and encouragement to follow a passion that has brought her years of joy. Through dedicated practice and instructional certification, Janice was able to set up classes throughout western Pennsylvania, including Kittanning and Butler.
She describes her work as "very mixed media" and is proud to share her art at the Kittanning Library.
The exhibit is open during library operating hours, which can be found at the library website. Visitors are asked to wear a face mask and practice social distancing.
Anita Bowser is a writer and blogger from Butler. She’s a volunteer at Kittanning Library and has worked as a grant coordinator, reporter, copy editor, content writer and a library director. Her favorite past times include reading, writing and visiting art exhibits. Contact her at anitabowserwriter@gmail.com and find out more at www.anitabowser.com.