The Update | JCC Exhibits Art by George Kovach; Hopewell Theatre Cancels Shows
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The work of local artist George Kovach is on exhibit in the Thomases Family Endowment Art Gallery at the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown through December. A reception will take place Nov. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the JCC, 505 Gypsy Lane.
The exhibit, “The Theory of Artistic Relativity,” features the theory’s first derivational category of art; Psychotic Symbolism, said Kovach.
“The Theory of Artistic Relativity was designed to give every artist the ability to create totally unique artwork never seen before,” he added. “The theory’s first derivational category of art, ‘Psychotic Symbolism,’ is the proof that shows the theory works!”
Kovach grew up in Campbell and is a 1972 graduate of Campbell Memorial High School. In 1979, he earned a bachelor of fine arts degree and teaching certification from Youngstown State University. He has been creating art since then. His work has been in many shows at the Butler Institute of American Art, winning an honorable mention award at the 82nd National Midyear show for a color pencil drawing. Kovach frequently creates acrylic or oil paintings.
He is most noted for his color pencil drawings that use a special technique to enhance the color of the pencils.
Kovach has written a thesis for art titled “The Theory of Artistic Relativity” that attempts to “reverse the course of art” back into art’s developmental stages by creating entirely new categories of art never seen before. The first derivational category of art created according to the theory’s implications is called “Psychotic Symbolism.” All of his work is based on this theory.
Kovach is also a game inventor. His first game invention was a card and dice game called “Luck Plus” that was sold to the company that makes the popular card game “UNO.” Luck Plus sold about 1.5 million games worldwide. His latest game invention is a board game and app called Mega Moves that has been sold in many local venues. He and his wife, Alisa, have been married for 42 years. They live in Boardman.
Hopewell Theatre Cancels Performances
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — This weekend’s performances of “I’ll Be Back Before Midnight” at Hopewell Theatre have been canceled after a cast member tested positive for COVID-19.
The theater will attempt to reschedule the production, said theater director Regina Rees.
New Music Guild to Present Concerts
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The New Music Guild will open its 2021-22 season at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Holy Apostles Parish, 421 Covington St., with two events in memory of longtime board member Elizabeth Bannon.
The organization focuses on performance of works by living composers, sponsoring visits by composers and performers, and concert/lecture events for elementary and high schools.
A memorial Mass for Bannon will take place Saturday, Nov. 6, at 4 p.m. that will include special music presented by Guild coordinators Gwyneth Rollin on violin and Robert Rollin, piano. The pair will play Robert Rollin’s Lyric Counterpoint on a Theme by Warshawsky, which they recently performed at Bannon’s funeral. Two other works will complement portions of the prayers.
On Sunday, Nov. 7, the Guild will feature violinist/violist Wanda Sobieska, along with the Rollinses, in the second memorial concert for Bannon.
Sobieska is a frequent guest artist on the Guild series. She will perform her own transcription of the 18th variation from Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, and works by Vivaldi and Robert Rollin.
An after party in honor of Bannon and Sobieska will take place at the church immediately following the Sunday afternoon concert.
Dana Choral Concert at St. Columba
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Dana School of Music will present a choral concert, “We Rise Again,” on Monday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Columba Cathedral, 159 W. Rayen Ave. Admission is free.
Ensembles will include the Dana Chorale and Voices of YSU, Hae-Jong Lee and Daniel Keown, directors. Jack Ciarniello and Kathy Miller will accompany.
The Dana Chorale will perform “Songs of Hope and Beauty” that features music by James MacMillan and Jonathan Dove and American Folk hymn “How Can I Keep from Singing,” arranged by Kirby Shaw.
The Voices of YSU repertoire includes thematic music, “Songs of Together” with music arranged by Mark Brymer and by composers Daniel Forrest, Moira Smiley and Mitchell Owens, III and the Bulgarian Folk Song “Svadba.”
The combined choruses will explore “Songs of Divinity” as they perform three movements from Vivaldi’s Gloria in D major as the final piece.
Pictured: This work of art by George Kovach is part of his exhibition at the Jewish Community Center.
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