KATHRYN EARNHART | The Butlers Museum covers broad spectrum

The Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown and the museum's branches in Howland and Salem offer a wide variety of public programs for art lovers of all ages.
From art classes, permanent and temporary exhibitions, tours, lectures, and concerts -- to a film series that includes both American classics, high-definition productions, and documentaries -- the Butler truly offers something for everyone to see and enjoy.
The Butler's free admission policy makes America's museum the best cultural value in the region.
For May: Upcoming free programs for the month of May include this week's screening of a high-definition documentary film about French painter Paul Cezanne.
The film will be shown at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Butler's Zona Auditorium, located on the first floor of the museum's Beecher Center south wing.
Directed by Charles de Lartigue, "A Life in Provence" is a beautiful depiction of Cezanne's rich world of sensational color and fullness of form. In this half-hour presentation, the viewer experiences "nature's sublimest interpreter" through an extensive presentation of his writings, his paintings and the breathtaking Provencal countryside that inspired him.
This film was produced by CineMuse & reg;, a company based in Robert DeNiro's Tribeca Film Center in New York City. Cinemuse, founded in 1996, is one of the most experienced and best-positioned high-definition companies, leads the hi-def revolution as the first and best high-definition digital studio, distributor, and e-cinema network.
Lifelike experience: CineMuse provides entertainment experiences that transcend other film formats because of their combination of superior programs and technology: features, documentaries and other programs so lifelike that viewers feel they are looking through open windows.
With CineMuse high-definition programs, viewers experience an incomparable combination of vivid colors, clarity, brightness and depth. CineMuse programs contain more than four times the resolution and clarity of conventional video. High-definition projection surpasses most film projection because it is free of flickering, shaking, deterioration or fading.
One of only a few: The Butler is one of only four museums in the nation with the capability to screen Cinemuse programs. Butler Cinemuse programs are presented in conjunction with Youngstown State University and PBS 45/49. Watch for more Cinemuse programming at the Butler in the coming months.
On Wednesday, May 16 at 1:30 p.m., the Butler will screen "American Visions: THE PROMISED LAND." The one-hour documentary, hosted by Time & reg; magazine's art critic Robert Hughes, comments about how religion shaped American culture. Beginning in 16th-century Spain, the episode examines the melding of European and Native American art forms, Puritanism, the furniture of the Shakers, and colonial portraiture including that of John Singleton Copley.
Other chapters of the American Visions saga will be screened on Wednesday, May 23 and 30 at 1:30 p.m., and on Wednesday, June 6, 13, 20 and 27 at 1:30 p.m. Call the Butler (330) 743-1711 extension 123 for a complete schedule of the museum's film offerings. The American Visions series is courtesy of PBS 45/49.
Gallery talk: At 2 p.m. May 16 at the Butler in Youngstown, Butler Director Dr. Louis Zona will present a gallery talk concerning this nation's art in the 1950s and 1960s, two turbulent decades when American art came of age.
Butler Wednesday programs are made possible by grants from National City Bank and Mr. and Mrs. William Clayman.
Special needs: Each year, the Butler education department sponsors a summer arts day camp for children ages 8-12. The Butler's award-winning camp is designed to accommodate children with special needs. The generosity of individuals and corporations in funding the Butler camp has made possible a number of scholarships for this program, which combines the visual arts with dance, music and drama. This year's Butler camp theme is "Soar with the Arts." For camp registration information call (330) 743-1107, extension 114.
Summer classes: The Butler education department is also preparing its summer schedule of classes for children and adults. Call (330) 743-1711, ext. 117 for art class information.
XButler hours in Youngstown are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11 am to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Butler hours at the Trumbull branch are Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Butler Salem hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm. Admission to all three facilities is free.