The Update | YSU Art Faculty to Display Works; Taylor Swift Event at Theater

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – “Legacy: 58 Years of YSU Art” will open Sept. 3 at the McDonough Museum of Art at Youngstown State University and run through Oct. 26.

The season-opening exhibition will include projects by current and past art faculty and staff.

A reception will take place Friday, Sept. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the museum, 525 Wick Ave. Admission is free. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This exhibition’s artists not only share their knowledge and expertise with the next generation but also use their creative energies to maintain a high level of professional practice. They create works that have been on display throughout the country. This exhibition is an opportunity for the YSU community to celebrate these visual artists who have shared their talents for over 50 years.

The artists included in this exhibition are Samuel Adu-Poku, Claudia Berlinski, Joy Christiansen Erb, Amy Copeland, Dragana Crnjak, Debra DeGregorio, Joseph D’Uva, Chauncey Hay, Ashley Johnston, Alyssa Keil, Russell Maddick, Missy McCormick, Christine McCullough, Richard Mitchell, Greg Moring, Michael Moseley, Michelle Nelson, John Guy Petruzzi, Stephanie Rhodes, Susan Russo, Dana Sperry and Amanda Spinosa.

The Eras Ball to Benefit Theater

SHARON, Pa. – The Eras Ball, an immersive video experience featuring the music of Taylor Swift, will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at the ACTS Performing Arts Center, downtown.

The event will include music, dancing and community spirit, all while supporting the Shenango Valley’s arts scene.

ACTS will unveil its new digital LED wall display at the event. The cutting-edge technology will be used to bring the Taylor Swift concert experience to life. Attendees will be treated to a singalong dance party where fans can belt out their favorite hits.

There will be a costume contest where fans are encouraged to dress in their favorite Taylor Swift “Era.”

The evening will also feature local vendors and activities, including:

• Hometown Pizza.
• The Block by Nova Destinations, serving drinks for those at least 21 years old.
• Locke and Key Boutique hosting a pop-up shop with exclusive Taylor Swift-themed merchandise.
• Wildwood Weddings & Portraits, providing a selfie station.
• Community Library of the Shenango Valley hosting a friendship bracelet-making station.

All proceeds will directly benefit ACTS and support its upcoming season.

Admission is a $20 donation. Tickets can be purchased at actspac.org or at the box office.

Mill Creek Landscapes, Shell Art on Exhibit

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – “Painted Memories,” an exhibition of paintings by local artist Beth Basista, will open Sept. 1 in the Weller Gallery at Davis Center, Fellows Riverside Gardens, and run through Oct. 16.

The exhibit will feature more than 40 colorful paintings in oils, acrylics and watercolors, most capturing the landscapes found throughout Mill Creek Park.

Admission is free.

“I hope my works inspire others to enjoy this gem of a park, nestled within the city of Youngstown, and to appreciate those who have preserved its natural beauty for us, like founder Volney Rogers and all who have followed his mission to protect this incredible space,” Basista said.

The artist’s unique shell art florals and shell art paintings will be displayed in the entranceway to the gallery. She starts with an acrylic or watercolor painting of an undersea, beach or sunset on a canvas board. Then she creates fish, turtles, dogs, a seahorse or “beach gals” out of shells and attaches them to her painting, followed by an occasional epoxy finish.

The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. An artist reception will take place from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15.

In addition to over 50 originals available for sale, prints will be available for purchase at the Shop in the Gardens inside the Davis Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

For information on this exhibit, go to millcreekmetroparks.org or call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330 740 7116.

Fall Tourism Events Guide for Ohio Travelers

COLUMBUS, Ohio – With travelers turning their vacation plans toward spooky attractions, Oktoberfests and cider-fueled pumpkin patch strolls, TourismOhio has released its fall events guide.

Now available online at Ohio.org, the guide spotlights five standout events from each of Ohio’s 88 counties, showcasing a total of 440 happenings. Organized by month and region, the guide is a roadmap to discovering Ohio’s most unique fall adventures. 

Back-to-school Farmers Market

SHARON, Pa. – The Downtown Sharon Farmers Market will present a back-to-school market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at its new location in the pavilion next to Quaker Steak & Lube, 101 Chestnut Ave.

Children’s activities will be provided by the Sharon Robotics Teams, First Presbyterian Church of Sharon and Wholly Natural Microgreens.

Live music will be provided by Michael Kovach.

The market also offers the Farmer Dollar program, which gives a token valued at a dollar to all kids in attendance. The token can be spent at any of the vendors.

Warren Philharmonic Offers Free Lessons

WARREN, Ohio – The Warren Philharmonic Orchestra is offering free violin lessons to a select group of Trumbull County students in grades three through seven through its Strings of Joy program.

The application deadline is Sept. 30. The class will begin Oct. 6 and end in May.

An application form and related documents are available to download HERE. They can also be obtained at the WPO office, 154 N. Park Ave. There is no charge for those selected.

“The Frank R. Bodor Strings of Joy program continues the Orchestra’s outreach to area schoolchildren,” said Barry G. Dunaway, executive director of the orchestra. “The orchestra will perform a live concert for area students in October and encourages them to attend our public concerts in October and April.”

The program was named in honor of attorney Frank R. Bodor.

The orchestra will loan each student an age-appropriate violin and provide individual, 30-minute lessons Sunday afternoons through May. Occasional group lessons and performance opportunities will be scheduled, as well. The Orchestra will provide printed music to the students at no cost. The lessons will take place at Christ Episcopal Church, 2627 Atlantic St. NE. The instructor is Jenna Barvitski.

For information, contact Dunaway at 330 399 3606 or [email protected].

Pictured at top: “Summer Swamp,” by YSU art professor Dragana Crnjak, will be included in an upcoming exhibition at the McDonough Museum.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.