Art for Smarts Features 150 Pieces Set for Auction

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Nearly 150 pieces of artwork by local and regional artists will be available for auction at the third annual Art for Smarts event on Friday, Sept. 28.

The donated pieces include framed and unframed works in a variety of media, including oil and canvas, photography, 3D pieces, jewelry “and a few surprises,” said Becky Keck, president of the Smarts Community Art School. The event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the school in the Ohio One Building at 25 E. Boardman Street downtown. Doors open for VIP ticket-holders at 5:30 p.m.

Among the art being auctioned include nine paintings by Robert Kroeger, who completed portraits of barns from Trumbull County, as well as Lanterman’s Mill and the Trumbull Cliffs Blast Furnace where he worked when he was younger. The paintings are featured on Kroeger’s website at Barnart.weebly.com/ohio-barns. Kroeger will be on-hand during Art for Smarts for a live demonstration of impasto-style painting.

All proceeds of the silent auction will benefit programming at Art for Smarts. Other fundraising efforts throughout the evening include bourbon and tequila tasting, photo booth and Blackout Poetry workshop, as well as direct donations and items by local artisans available for sale from the Smarts Store.

“This is an event where people can come together in appreciation for the arts, enjoy great music and refreshments, and bid on artwork to ultimately make a difference in the lives of the children served by our organization,” Keck said.

Live entertainment will be provided by the Smarts House Band with band leader and the school’s jazz improvisation instructor, Vinny Vivacqua. A light cheese board and cookies will be available as well as a cash bar and food from The Food Cruiser food truck.

Purchase advance tickets for Art for Smarts at SmartsArtSchool.org. VIP tickets are $30, general admission tickets are $15. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.