Crawfordsville artist John R. Oilar has been selected for inclusion in the Marquis Who’s Who in America Diamond 75th Year Edition. Oilar’s entry in the book is listed among the distinguished artists. His biography and photo appear on page 876 in the book.
Oilar is best known for his black and white drawings of people, homes, buildings, animals and logos. He has spent more than 40 years perfecting his talent.
Some of his prestigious art awards include: finalist at the Art Instruction Schools, Minneapolis, Minnesota; merit award, Southside Regional Exhibition XVII, Indianapolis; award of merit, Silver Anniversary Edition, Heritage Arts, Nashville, Indiana; second place award, Indiana State Fair Professional Division, Indianapolis; and best drawing award and purchase award, 76th Hoosier Salon Annual Competition, Indianapolis.
Additional honors include: being chosen for the Great Minds of the 21st Century Worldwide Edition; featured in the New Art International publication; featured in the Worldwide Edition of Direct Art Magazine: A Compendium of Worldwide Artists; featured in the Worldwide Edition of Manchester Who’s Who; and chosen for the 2011 IUPUI National Sports Art Museum Invitational, Indianapolis, in conjunction with the Super Bowl which was in Indianapolis that year.
He also has authored articles for the Indianapolis Star Sunday Magazine and the Sport Spirit newspaper in Lafayette.
Oilar has also designed covers for a textbook used in the freshman engineering program at Purdue University and completed illustrations for “The Outback — A Frontline Supervisor’s Map to Success,” by Dr. Michael Trotter, Purdue University Press.
Oilar served nine years as coordinator of the Fine Arts Department, at the Indiana State Fair. His artwork is in collections across the United States, Canada, Asia and Europe.
Oilar has spent a lifetime of giving back to local organizations. He has donated work to the City of Crawfordsville, Franciscan Health Crawfordsville, Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County, Crawfordsville District Public Library, Crawfordsville Police Department, Crawfordsville Fire Department, Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau, Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County, Fusion 54, St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and Crawfordsville Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Many of his art pieces have been donated to raffles for adults or children with serious illnesses. He travels to festivals and events and donates a portion of his fee to the event or fundraiser. Some of festivals or fundraising causes include: Red Cross, New Richmond Fourth of July Celebration, Masonic Cornerstone Lodge, Sugar Creek Animal Hospital, cancer societies, Crawfordsville Regional Airport, Crawfordsville-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Relay for Life, Boys & Girls Club of Montgomery County, Lion’s Club, Moose and First Baptist Church.
Oilar was born in Lafayette. He earned his bachelor degree in art and education at Western New Mexico University. He also studied art and history in Europe.
Oilar attributes his success to the support and encouragement of his wife, Diane.
Oilar can be reached from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday at his home, 608 E. Wabash Ave. or call 765-362-3436.
