Oil and water mix at the art show opening this weekend at the The Art Center in Butler. "Crullers to Crawlers," a collection of watercolors by Bill Perry of Harmony, is paired with the oil paintings of Carl McGrady of Butler.

Both exhibits open Friday at The Art Center, 344 S. Main St. The opening reception will feature music by acoustic guitarist Chad Evans, a singer/songwriter from Butler. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free.

Perry describes himself as a "figurative" painter. Watercolor is his primary medium, although he does paint in oils as well.

"My subject matter is whatever interests me," said Perry, who is a self confessed "I paint for me" artist.

"My subjects are drawn primarily from Western Pennsylvania, though recent trips about the country have opened my eyes to new possibilities," he explained. "I suppose it's the challenge that a new subject offers that keeps me from sticking to one thing, and as this show's title suggests, 'Crullers to Crawlers,' there will be more to see than landscapes," he noted about his self-titled show.

Perry does not make prints of his work. "I believe that the quality and quantity of reproductions today tends to dilute the experience of owning a work of art," Perry said.

After 36 years teaching in public schools and a stint as adjunct instructor of the history of western art at Carnegie Mellon University, Perry fulfilled one of his ultimate teaching goals: teaching art in a rural setting.

"For two years, I taught two studio classes at Slippery Rock High School. Although I was still teaching, the abbreviated schedules left plenty of time to pursue my own painting," Perry said.

His work has been acknowledged both locally and nationally with awards. The price range for fully framed and ready-to-hang art is $150 to $1,000. He is a frequent instructor of watercolor workshops in his own studio and for various organizations. For more about his artwork, visit the Web site, www.billperrypaintings.com.

The Art Center is now accepting enrollment for Bill Perry's Weekend Watercolor Workshop, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 22 and 23. Cost is $125 for members $150 for non-members. The class takes place in the main Rittelmann gallery. Call 724-283-6922 for enrollment details or visit the Web site, www.theartcenterbutlerpa.org.

The works of Butler artist Carl McGrady will be on display starting Friday in the Member's Gallery. His 20-piece collection of oil paintings is entitled "Expressions II."

His works have found homes in collections around the world, including the galleries Monk Dogz Urban Art in New York City and Lucy B. Campbell Fine Art Gallery, Notting Hill, United Kingdom.

McGrady is a lifelong student, appreciator and collector of the arts. He studied at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, University of Chicago and Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan. He was influenced by the Ukiyo-e Masters and mentored by such great Japanese artists as Unichi Hiratsuka and Shiko Munakata, Japan's masters of black and white modern Japanese prints.

"When I look at things, I see in black and white," McGrady said. "A lot of my life seems to be in black and white.

"Having lived art throughout my life, I have developed a seasoned and experienced eye; it is a great time to express myself," said the well-traveled McGrady.

"I was never ready to paint. Now, I am! It is like writing an autobiography and having something to say. Painting is my exercise to the soul. I hope that others will enjoy my work and use it as a reminder to look beyond the frame," he said of his collection, which is for sale and priced ranging from $250 to $3,000.

In the Mezzanine Gallery will be Norman Schumm's "Fine Art Photography."

Schumm started photography as a freshman in high school and estimated that, since 1946, he has snapped more than 100,000 pictures.

Since moving to Pittsburgh in 1959, he has spent many hours photographing the different moods of the city itself. Many of his Pittsburgh pictures grace the walls of Pittsburgh homes, offices and distant cities where former Pittsburghers now live.

His pictures have been published in books, posters, calendars and post cards. Stefan Lorant, author and photojournalist, chose Schumm to take photographs for three different editions of his book: "Pittsburgh: The Story of an American City."

Schumm photographs primarily with a 4-by-5 view camera and uses both color and black and white film. He personally controls each step of the photographic process from the initial exposure to the developing and making of both color and black and white prints in his darkroom. Schumm's personal preference is for the full tone, expressive black and white photographs such as those taken by Ansel Adams.

For more information, visit the Web site, www.nwschumm.netfirms.com/index.html.

After opening Friday, all three shows will continue through Nov. 28. Call 724-283-6922 for more information.

<B>WHAT: </B>"Crullers to Crawlers" watercolors by Bill Perry, paintings by Butler artist Carl McGrady and photography by Norman Schumm<B>WHEN: </B>Opening with reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Exhibit continues through Nov. 28. Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 9 p.m. Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.<B>WHERE: </B>The Art Center, 344 S. Main St.<B>ADMISSION: </B>Free<B>INFORMATION: </B>Call 724-283-6922 or visit the Web site, www.butlerartcenter.net