'Olga's Living With Art' roots in Europe

Olga Snyder offers instruction in arts and crafts from her Coudersport gift shop. The business has expanded hours in the coming week during its open house.

A Potter County native and his Ukrainian wife operate a unique gift shop and art gallery with multicultural influences. It's not the kind of shop typically associated with a small town in the northern Pennsylvania mountains.

The name -- Olga's Living With Art -- says it all for the converted Victorian home that's now a thriving business and cultural hub. It's located across from the county jail along U.S. Rt. 6 in downtown Coudersport.

In an era of mass-produced, often imported knickknacks, this mom-andpop operation is truly one of a kind. Olga's features a wide selection of hand-made fine arts and crafts; an extensive yarn and knitting accessories selection; fine arts and crafts instruction, and custom framing.

Olga Snyder began studying art at age six in her home country, Ukraine, and graduated from the Mirgorad Decorative Arts College in 1990. Before immigrating to the United States she had a retail business in Poland, where she met her husband.

She has a wide variety of artistic skills, but is perhaps best known for her pysanky - an ancient and beautiful folk art that's rooted in the Ukraine. It consists of decorating eggs using beeswax and dyes.

Olga is also considered one of most skilled and fastest knitters in the region. She discounts the superlatives, but does take pride in her work.

"Much of my knitting is experimenting with colors and textures," she said. "To me, it's much like painting with yarn."

Another special feature of Olga's Living With Art is Snyder's handpainted glass, from tableware to decorative mantle pieces.

The business started in 1999 as Olga's Gift Boutique in a small room at the former Erway's dairy barn (later Renziehausen Plaza), on Coudersport's west side. With the support of the community and visitors, the business has been growing ever since.

John Snyder is the product of a multi-generational logging/farming family from the Coudersport area. He grew up in New York State, traveled extensively around the world, then relocated to Potter County to be closer to his grandparents and fulfill his dream of raising a family in the area.

The Snyders are not at all deterred by the downturn in the Coudersport economy as hundreds of Adelphia employees have lost their jobs.

"We are planning for growth and would like to be at the forefront of an emerging 'rural renaissance' in Potter County," Olga Snyder said. "We're anxious to work with local organizations and individuals to make Coudersport and Potter County an even better place to live, work and play."

The Snyders are active with the Potter County Fine Arts Council, the Coudersport Area Chamber of Commerce and other civic organizations. They also "network" with musicians and other artists to support cultural activities.

Olga offers art lessons and workshops, as well as knitting instruction, for children and adults.

The shop is holding an open house from now through Thursday, with extended hours of 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Additional information is available at 274-0794.