McDonough Marks 25 Years by Honoring Benefactor
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The John J. McDonough Museum of Art on the campus of Youngstown State University celebrates its 25th anniversary this week with an exhibit inspired by the museum’s namesake.
An opening reception will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday in the museum. The exhibition, “Tastemakers, a Progress of Love,” consists of 76 paintings and runs through Oct. 21.
It’s intended as a tribute to private patronage in the visual arts and its powerful history of influence in this country, says Leslie Brothers, museum director.
The late John J. McDonough, a Youngstown physician and avid art collector, put his collection of American art – 63 paintings in total – up for auction in 1978 at Sotheby’s. After the auction, McDonough began a new collection, 100 works in total, dating from 1875 to 1925.
The McDonough Museum opened to the public in the fall of 1991 with an exhibition of selected works from Dr. McDonough’s private collection.
“With this exhibition we come full circle featuring selections from the collections of 11 local lenders who were inspired by Dr. McDonough to begin collecting American Art.,” says Brothers. “There is so much to say about collecting art, its value throughout history and what it means for us today in a time when the limits of what art is often defy our ability to possess it.”
Contributors to the exhibit are Elfi Bulkley, Albert and Suzanne Cinelli, Sallie and Paul Dutton, Kay Franco, Robert and Angela Gilliand, Joseph B. Kope, Joseph W. and Angela M. Kunze, Kenneth and Mary Ellen Lloyd, Carole G. McDonough, Stephen and Ginny Meloy, Paul and Katherine Ricciutti, and Louis Zona.
“It is a beautiful show, there are interesting and wonderful stories and the opportunity to see works of art that are rarely on view to the public.,” Brothers says.
The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is free. Call 330 941 1400.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
