YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – “Good Vibrations: The Prints of Victor Vasarely” will open April 13 at The Butler Institute of American Art and run through July 20.
The Hungarian-born Vasarely (1906-1997) is considered one of the first practitioners of Op Art – abstract art where optical effects occur in a viewer’s personal perception.
Vasarely relocated to Paris in 1930, where he worked as a graphic designer. He began his experiments in Op Art in the early 1950s.
He became an overnight sensation in the United States in 1965 when his work was included in the landmark Op Art exhibition “The Responsive Eye” at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. As a result of the exhibition’s popularity, Vasarely’s art became widely celebrated, and he experienced enormous success as a printmaker.
“Vasarely was considered the master of optical art, or Op Art,” said Louis Zona, executive director of The Butler. “He was Hungary’s old master printmaker, as demonstrated by the quality of prints on view at The Butler.”
This exhibition will be in the Segall Print Gallery, Butler North.
Warren Philharmonic to Present Spring Concert
CORTLAND, Ohio – The Warren Philharmonic Orchestra’s spring concert, “Homage,” will take place at 7 p.m. April 26 in the auditorium of Lakeview High School, 300 Hillman Drive.
The program will include “Overture to William Tell,” Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and other works.
Music director Christopher Cicconi will conduct the orchestra. Soloists will include Maximilian Dimoff, double bass; Matthew Holm, vibraphone; and James Umble, saxophone.
For tickets, call 330 399 3606 or email warren.philharmonic@gmail.com.
The 75-member Youngstown State University Youth Orchestra will open the concert with a performance. The size of this orchestra is the reason the spring concert will take place at Lakeview High School, according to Leanna Dunaway, assistant executive director of the WPO. Future concerts will take place in the orchestra’s home at First Presbyterian Church of Warren, she said.
Parks Receive Grants for Conservation
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Public Works Commission has awarded $500,787 to the Trumbull County MetroParks for the Braceville Nature Preserve extension, and $150,000 to Mill Creek MetroParks for improvements to its wildlife sanctuary.
The awards were among the 28 conservation project grants, with a total value of $16 million, announced this week by the commission.
They are part of the Clean Ohio Green Space conservation program, which is dedicated to environmental conservation, including acquisition of green space and the protection and enhancement of rivers and streams. Grant recipients agree to maintain the properties in perpetuity. Projects are vetted by the state’s 19 regional natural resource assistance councils.
Fitch High Cheerleaders to be Honored at Mall
NILES, Ohio – The cheerleading team of Austintown Fitch High School won the OASSA state championship in Division II on Feb. 23.
A rally to honor the team will take place at 4 p.m. April 15 in the center court of Eastwood Mall.
As part of the festivities, the Cafaro Foundation will make a donation to the school. The general public is invited.
YSU Professor’s Art Included in Exhibition
AKRON, Ohio – Works by Dragana Crnjak, an art professor at Youngstown State University, are included in an exhibition in the Emily Davis Gallery at the Myers School of Art, University of Akron.
Nine of Crnjak’s distinctive artworks, including three of her most recent paintings, are in the show.
An artist’s reception will take place from 5-7 p.m. Thursday.
Taco and Margarita Festival at Eastwood Field
NILES, Ohio – The Mahoning Valley Scrappers will present Taco and Margarita Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 14 at Eastwood Field.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $20 at the gate. VIP packages are available, which include two margarita vouchers and a T-shirt, for $45 in advance and $60 at the gate.
The festival will include live music. Food and drinks will be sold separately.
Vendors interested in participating can contact the Scrappers front office at 330 505 0000.
Bonsai Presentation at Westminster College
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – In celebration of Earth Week, Westminster College’s Harms Center for the Environment will host a series of public events, including “The History and Science of Bonsai,” at 12:40 p.m. April 24, in Room 166 of the Hoyt Science Center.
The one-hour event will feature a presentation by Michael Stern, a seasoned bonsai cultivator with nearly 50 years of experience.
The event will also include a showcase of bonsai specimens, offering a close-up look at this centuries-old practice.
The event is free and open to the public, with light refreshments provided.
Lecture on Brady Lake Park
LIBERTY, Ohio – Stephanie Virgallito of PBS Western Reserve will give a presentation on the former Brady Lake Park at 10 a.m. April 19 in the meeting room of Denny’s Restaurant, 4020 Belmont Ave.
Virgallito will present a slide presentation on the summer resort between Kent and Ravenna that opened in 1891.
A competitor to Youngstown’s Idora Park, Brady Lake Park featured big name bands such as Guy Lombardo and Rudy Vallee, along with seances.
Admission is $15. Reservations are suggested; call 330 726 8277.
The lecture is presented by the McGuffey Society.
Monday Night Writers to Meet
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – Monday Night Writers will meet from 5-6:30 p.m. April 21 at Leana’s Books & More, 4317 Kirk Road.
Area writers, both published and unpublished, are invited to attend. Led by author Nancy Christie, the meetings offer an opportunity for members to get group feedback on works-in-progress.
For information, contact Christie at nancy@nancychristie.com.
Pictured at top: Victor Vasarely’s “Zett,” a 40-inch-by-40-inch serigraph in color on wove paper.