Art & Museum

Edythe Hoy Bossert Gallery

The Edythe Hoy Bossert Gallery is available to the public for exhibits by individuals, businesses, community organizations, etc. An agreement form between the Ross Library and the party(ies) involved shall be signed and retained by the library and the exhibitor on request.

Insurance coverage will be the responsibility of the exhibitor. Ross Library will not be responsible for damage, loss, theft, or vandalism which may occur to the exhibited items as a result of their display in the library.

The librarian and/or designated staff member shall interview the exhibitor(s) work for display. Gallery shows will be considered if they benefit the community, support individual growth and deal with community celebrations. Ross Library reserves the right to refuse exhibits.

Donations from exhibitors will be greatly appreciated. If exhibitors wish to sell their art, a fee of $50.00 or 10% of sales or proceeds, whichever is higher, is to be donated to Ross Library.

John Sloan Museum

Located on the 2nd floor of the old mansion of the Ross Library is the John Sloan Museum. It is handicap accessible. Call to request a visit to see the collection which includes both original and copies of Sloan’s work, personal effects, and commemorative memorabilia.

Born in Lock Haven on August 2, 1871, John French Sloan grew up to become a world-class famous American painter and etcher who visited the area on occasion to participate in university and civic events. At age five, John Sloan went to visit the Centennial Exposition of 1876 in Philadelphia. His family moved to Philadelphia shortly thereafter. He said he became an artist by chance. At age 16 he left school to begin working full-time to help support his family. He worked in a bookstore and began to seriously study art. Following the instructions of an etcher’s handbook, he taught himself to become one of the best etchers in the United States. His skills led him to a job as an artist for the Philadelphia newspapers.

In 1901 he married Anna Maria (Dolly) Wall and at age 32 they moved from Philadelphia to New York City, where he painted some of his best-known works and developed a reputation as a realistic portrayer and landscape artist. He was a leader of “the Eight”, a group of Pennsylvania artists of the Ashcan School of Art painting human lifestyles in a more realistic, less romantic style than other painters of that era. After the death of Dolly, Sloan married Helen Farr and spent many years in the West. Most of the items in the John Sloan collection were bequeathed by Helen, an advocate of the Ross Library.