Butler to Exhibit Paintings, Collages from Its Collection

YOUNGSTOWN – A three-part exhibitions of seldom-seen works from the Butler Institute of American Art’s collection will open Sunday, featuring pastel paintings, collages and still lifes.

The Butler’s pastel collection has grown significantly in recent years, primarily because of the Heritage Program donation given to the museum each year by the Pastel Society of America.

Works by many of the most talented pastel artists have entered the Butler collection because of program, according to Louis A. Zona, curator and director of the museum. “These are works that for the most part have not previously been seen,” he said. The exhibit will be in the Giffuni Gallery.

The skylit Davis Gallery will feature a selection of the Butler’s collage collection, while the Finnegan/Hynes Gallery will be devoted to the modern still life painting.

The still lifes range “from florals to objects on a table,” Zona said.

The grouping also includes works by Gary Erbe, who is particularly popular among those who appreciate traditional realism, Zona said.

The Butler has several of Erbe’s works in its collection. With  themes such as patriotism, baseball and golf, his “fool the eye” paintings appear to be collages.

Pictured at top: This painting by Gary T. Erbe titled “Pieces of Time” will be among the works in a new exhibition at The Butler Institute of American Art.

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