Amy Hollan has founded Southern Tier Center For Emerging Artist in the city of Jamestown. An online exhibition is available for first time artist by visiting southerntierartist.com. Submitted photo

The first time Amy Hollan visited the city of Jamestown was to see the house she had already bought.

Hollan is the founder and creative director of Southern Tier Center for Emerging Artists (STCEA), a creative services company that helps aspiring and established artists share their work and build successful side gigs and businesses around their creative talents and passions.

Hollan started living in Jamestown in May, moving from Dayton, Ohio. She said her clients are split between Dayton and New York City and, conveniently, Jamestown is about halfway between.

“I started to look for a place with affordable housing and good quality of living, and that’s what attracted me to (Jamestown),” she said. “I actually moved to Jamestown without visiting the city first. The first time I came to Jamestown, in the snow, was to see the house I had already bought. I can say I love it here. I’ve meet all kinds of wonderful people.”

Hollan said she lost here full-time job during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led her to re-evaluate her career.

“At the time, I decided to launch a consulting business — (human resources) and business consultant, but I’m also a practicing artist on the side,” she said. “When I came here, one of my goals was to connect with other artists. I’m interested in the person that is getting out their sketch book for the first time as much as a seasoned professional. We all have something to share. I want to connect people of all levels together and give them a chance to interact with other artist here.”

Hollan said she has already come across many artists with a variety of styles and a lot of talent.

“I think it’s the perfect environment because of the beautiful natural surrounds combined with this inclusive community,” she said. “I’ve had a chance to go to (the) Pride (Festival) and the Juneteenth celebration. We are a community made up of a diverse group of people and we’re becoming more diverse by the day. That is appealing and interesting to me. I want to really be a part of this community and a voice for why we need all perspectives.”

What makes STCEA unique is its online workshops and exhibitions, which are a fun and safe space for beginners and seasoned creatives to meet, exchange ideas and knowledge, Hollan said. As part of its launch, STCEA’s inaugural exhibition “Debut” welcomes creative “firsts” from emerging artists — a first submission to an art exhibition, a first virtual show or a first work in a new medium or style. Artists may submit photography, painting, fiber/textile, glass, collage and mixed media, drawing, sculpture, digital art, printmaking, woodworking, ceramic, pottery or other visual art forms. The call for entries runs through Dec. 31 and is open to all North American artists.

Hollan said cash prizes will be awarded to best in show, first through third place winners and the people’s choice as determined by popular vote. The online exhibit will be available for view on the STCEA website — southernierartist.com — Jan. 1 through Jan. 31. Also, more information about the exhibition is available at the website.