‘Art of World War II’ Exhibition to Open at The Hoyt
NEW CASTLE, Pa. – An exhibition featuring paintings of U.S. Navy ships and personnel during World War II will open Jan. 2 at The Hoyt and run through March 21.
The paintings were created by Thomas Hart Benton and depict the daily activities of a sailor. They are part of the Naval Art Collection.
The Hoyt exhibition, titled “The Art & Objects of World War II,” also includes uniforms, medals, ration books, letters, photos and other artifacts belonging to Lawrence County servicemen and women during that war.
The paintings by Benton (1889-1975) were commissioned by pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories, with a goal of raising morale and money for the military effort, and also to record history.
The Hoyt exhibition will include the following gallery talks and other activities:
- “The Naval Art of Thomas Hart Benton,” a lecture by Henry Adams, professor at Case Western Reserve University, Jan. 25, 6 p.m.
- “Artists of War,” a lecture by Andrew Henley, director of New Castle Public Library, Feb. 15, 6 p.m.
- Salute to Military Families, activities and tours for active military families (includes free family membership to The Hoyt with military ID, and a question-and-answer session with World War II veteran Wally King; open to the public. Feb. 29, 6 p.m.
- “The Stories Behind the Soldiers and Sailors,” a lecture by Michael Kraus, curator of Soldiers & Sailors Museum, March 7, 6 p.m.
Admission to The Hoyt, 124 E. Leasure Ave., is free. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Pictured at top: This 1944 oil on canvas painting by Thomas Hart Benton titled “Cut the Line” is part of an exhibition that will open next month at The Hoyt.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
