KATHRYN EARNHART | The Butlers Institute honors volunteers, artists

This month, The Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown honors its volunteers, celebrates America's greatest painter, Winslow Homer, and showcases technological art by some of the world's greatest holographic artists while continuing to display the best of contemporary painting and sculpture.
The Butler's 67th National Midyear Show and the California collection of John and Jane Fitz Gibbon remain on view in Youngstown through midmonth, drawing considerable interest from out-of-town visitors.
At the Butler in Salem, the very extensive retrospective by Cleveland artist Barbara Stanczak has intrigued summer audiences.
And a knockout exhibition of recent paintings by renowned optical painter Al Held along with abstract sculpture by Clement Meadmore shine throughout August within the contemporary space of the Butler Trumbull branch in Howland.
Richard Schmid
On Sept. 7, the Butler will open an exhibition of 65 original works dating from 1962 to 2002 by popular American painter Richard Schmid. Many of the works included in the catalog and in the exhibition are on loan to the Butler Institute courtesy of distinguished private collections. Thus this exhibition offers a rare opportunity for art lovers to see works that are rarely available to the public. Invitations have been mailed to Butler Members for an exhibition preview party set for 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Butler in Youngstown. (Nonmembers may receive an invitation by calling (330) 743-1711, Ext. 117. A public reception to meet the artist will be from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 7.
Additionally, the Butler Institute will host a slide lecture by Richard Schmid on Sept. 6 in the Butler's Zona Auditorium. Seating for the program is limited. Two lecture times have been set: the first lecture will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and will be repeated from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Cost for the slide lecture is $25 per ticket, and early reservations are recommended. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis and may be purchased in advance by calling (802) 297-2312 or by fax at (802) 297-2313. For more information about these lectures, e-mail Sue Leonard at stovepp@sover.net.
Other exhibits
There is still time to experience Shu-Min Lin's "Glass Ceiling," on view in Flad Gallery in the Butler's Beecher wing through Friday. Shu-Min Lin's holographic masterworks have been exhibited and admired worldwide.
And Andrew Pepper's holographic "UK Spaces," on view in the Beecher wing second floor galleries until October, continues to astonish viewers of all ages.
Incredible works by artists who employ digital technologies to create graphic art continue to be on view in the Beecher wing's Novak Gallery. Artists whose works are currently displayed are Flame Schon (Santa Fe, N.M.), Martha Jane Bradford (Brookline, Mass.), Japi Honoo (Venice, Italy), Debra Swack (New York), Mick Brady (Santa Barbara, Calif.), and Harry W. Yeatts Jr. (Blacksburg, Va.)
Holographic sculptures
A new Beecher wing holographic experience will open Sept. 7 with a much anticipated installation by Canadian Philippe Boissonnet. The technological art created by this Montreal-based artist brings interactivity into play as the viewer's voice and movement around holographic sculptures activate the works. Thus the installation contains many forms of communication: visual, verbal, aural and technological. Included in the show are the artist's well-known installation works including "Efflorescence," "In-Between," "Recartographier le Monde," and "Je(t)u."
A meet-the-artist reception and gallery talk by Boissonnet are planned for 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Butler Institute. For more about the Butler's art and technology wing, visit the museum' s Web site at www.butlerart.com.
'Rock the Museum'
Fine art, great music and good food combine again to create an evening of entertainment as the Butler presents two concerts to "Rock the Museum" this fall. This concert series, which began last year, has been the most popular of recent Butler events. (Tune in to live morning television and radio coverage -- courtesy of Y-103 and WFMJ-TV 21 -- Thursday, to learn more about concerts at the Butler.)
From 7 to 11 p.m. Sept. 27, a Jimmy Buffett Night is planned featuring Buffett tribute band "Fins to the Left." A photo show that celebrates the tropics by regional photographer Joseph P. Rudinec will be featured that evening, along with special prizes, surprises and give-aways.
From 7 to 11 p.m. Nov. 8, the Butler will again pay tribute to the Beatles with "Abbey Road," the ultimate Beatles tribute band. This year the band's performance will include a Beatles Sgt. Peppers tribute with Butler collection works from the 1960s in the spotlight.
These events have been organized in conjunction with Y-103 and are sponsored in part by Butler Wick & amp; Co., Chi Chi's (Boardman), the Taylor-Winfield Foundation, Dr. & amp; Mrs. Constantine Economus, AVI FoodSystems, Mr. & amp; Mrs. Edward DeBartolo Jr., DiRusso Sausage, Panera Bread, Pepsi, The Vindicator, Something New Florist, WFMJ and Thymely Events Inc., among others.
Butler members will receive invitations to these concert events, which are also open to the public. For information, to become an event sponsor or for an invitation call (330) 743-1107, Ext. 122.
'Winslow Homer Day'
For artist/actor Tom Fox, painter Winslow Homer (1836-1910) is the ultimate inspiration. The New York actor will be on hand next Sunday to bring Homer to life as a part of the Butler's "Winslow Homer Day." Fox's formal characterization of Winslow Homer, which has received rave reviews nationwide, will be presented at 2 p.m. in the Butler's Zona Auditorium. Seating is limited. To reserve for the performance call (330) 743-1711, Ext. 117.
Additionally, the Butler's Homer master work "Snap the Whip," as well as the preliminary drawing for the work and an etching of the subject, will be on view in the museum's collection galleries.
The Butler's "Winslow Homer Day" is sponsored in part by the Mahoning Valley Watercolor Society.
'Reverse Raffle'
The Butler's first Trustees Circle members event titled "Reverse Raffle" was a resounding success, garnering funds to maintain the Butler's free admission policy. Generous donors for the event included: Alex Downie, Mary Carlton Hammond, Dr. Hank Markowitz, Tri-County Distributors, Abruzzi's Caf & eacute; 422, Adamas Jewelry & amp; Gifts, Aebischer's Jewelry Inc., Antone's, Antonio's Restaurant, Corso Foods, Avalon Gardens, Bermann's Electric, Buchman Shoes, Burger Travel, Caballo Bayo, De Bald Co Inc., Don Booth Co., Holiday Inn Express (Warren), Holiday Inn Boardman, Hummel Gift Shop, Julia's Bed and Breakfast, Medure's Restaurant (New Castle), Panera Bread, Smith & amp; Co. Jewelers, Springfield Restaurant Group, Target, The Youngstown Symphony, Thymely Events Inc., Youngstown Crab Co., and The Vindicator.
On Wednesday, the Butler will host its annual volunteer luncheon to honor those who have assisted the museum during the past year. Butler volunteers devote countless hours of service to the Institute, as members of the Butler board of trustees, docents (volunteer tour guides), library assistants and museum shop volunteers. To become a Butler volunteer, contact the museum (330) 743-1107.
Prospectus
The prospectus for the Butler's 67th Area Artists Annual exhibition, sponsored by Bank One, is now available. The popular show features work in all media by artists who reside within a 40-mile radius of Youngstown. Call (330) 743-1711, Ext. 124 for an entry form.
News of local artists includes Tazim Jaffer's current ethnographic photography/artifact show at the Davis Center at Mill Creek Park. For information about this fascinating exhibition, call the park at (330) 702-3000.
XButler hours in Youngstown are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday 11 a.m. to 8 .; and 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 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to all three facilities is free.