Power of the Arts Honors ‘Go Art’ Winners

By Ashley Custer

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Power of the Arts, in partnership with WRTA, held a reception Thursday at the Public Library of Youngstown for the winning artists of Go Art, a public art project competition.

More than 100 artworks were submitted by 40 area artists, working in styles ranging from printmaking and computer-generated art to painting, pencil drawing and photography. The winning artists received $100 and their works are being displayed on WRTA buses during April and May.

“I think it’s a beautiful representation of the range of art in our community and demonstrates how much art is for everyone,” said coordinator Karen Schubert. “We have artwork from kids here, adults with disabilities, and people who do things during the day and then make art on the weekends. I love that aspect and the variety of styles.”

Artists submitted directly to specific contests and finalists were chosen by nonprofit and for-profit entities during blind judging.

“Sponsorship size determined where the artwork is placed on the buses. Smaller ones are on the back and bigger on the sides. One goes over the window and people on the bus actually look through it,” said Schubert.

The idea for Go Art was inspired by the Kent State Wick Poetry Center Traveling Stanza Project, which began with graphically designed poems installed on the inside of buses and bus shelters.

“I love the idea of a huge, rolling gallery, bringing locally created art to us as we move through our day,” Schubert said. “We also want to make WRTA buses, a critical infrastructure, more visible.”

Thanks to the turnout from artists and community support for the Go Art program, Schubert said she hopes to have the competition again next year.

“I’m just really thankful of this great collaboration. We couldn’t have done this by ourselves. I appreciate the sponsors, submissions from artists and working with WRTA. I love how art has brought us all together,” she said.

Power of the Arts Board President Terry Cloonan is enthusiastic about the participating artists. 

“Power of the Arts seeks to champion art-making throughout the community, so we are very pleased to feature the work of some of our incredibly talented community members,” he said, a group that includes “retired citizens, YSU graduates, faculty and students, K-12 students and adults with disabilities.”

Among the winners was Pattie Conti, who submitted “Sunflower Field,” a piece inspired by the works of Columbiana-based artist Nancy Hawkins.

“I was looking to take pictures of the sunflower fields at White House Fruit Farms,” Conti said. “And when I got out there I saw her by the fields painting and asked if she minded if I took her picture.”

The submitted works will be displayed at the library through April 26.

Pictured: Patti Conti, right submitted her piece, “Sunflower Field,” to the Go Art contest. It depicts Nancy Hawkins, left, painting at White House Fruit Farm.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.