Museum to mark its 85th year

The Butler Institute of American Art, founded in 1919, will celebrate its 85th anniversary in 2004. The museum's incredible collection expansion from several hundred paintings at the time of its inauguration to its current holdings of more than 12,000 individual works is matched only by the Institute's impressive physical expansion. Since its founding when the Butler housed just three galleries, the Institute has grown to include 30 galleries, eight devoted solely to the permanent collection, as well as a the Mesaros print galleries, the Sweeney children's gallery, the Donnell sports gallery -- along with the Flad, Novak and Bermant galleries for the display of technological art -- to name just a few. (In addition, the Butler operates two branch museums in Howland and Salem.)
A world-class facility, the Butler beautifully reflects the original vision of its founder, Joseph G. Butler Jr., whose dream it was to establish a cultural center in Youngstown for the display and study of American art. The new Butler has become this and more.
Along with the increase of Butler exhibit space has been an increase in state-of-the-art storage facilities, offices, classrooms, a library and archive, an auditorium, and most recently a caf & eacute; and expanded museum gift shop. A recent grant from the Henry Luce Foundation has enabled the Butler's registration department to expand and update the Institute's electronic archive. This two-year endeavor will complete the process of fully documenting each Butler collection work and its provenance and identity, by means of a digital image, computerization of documents, letters regarding the work's acquisition and other scholarly materials.
Community events
A community arts center, the Butler hosts a summer day camp for children with special needs. The museum sometimes serves as a concert hall, not only for the YSU Dana School of Music but also for performances by popular music groups known throughout the region. More than 30,000 individuals -- schoolchildren, college students and others -- tour the Butler each year led by Butler volunteer docent guides, exploring the Butler collection and the more than 40 visiting exhibitions presented annually in the Institute's second-floor galleries. Last weekend, nearly 3000 people attended the Butler's annual American Holiday Show and Sale.
On average, 300 people visit the Butler and its branches in Salem and Howland each day to view, free of charge, the museum's holdings, temporary shows and film series, as well as to experience art classes, shop in the Butler's gift shops or to dine in Winslow's Caf & eacute;. Through the Butler's underwriting and sponsorship programs, civic groups, clubs and service organizations utilize the Butler as a gathering place, while corporations and companies hold events, seminars, dinners and meetings within the Butler's beautiful Beecher Court throughout the year. These activities serve to further encourage the public at large to experience the Butler first-hand and to introduce people from throughout the country to this national treasure.
Generous supporters
According to Butler Director Dr. Louis Zona, "Current economic conditions have effected virtually every cultural institution in America, and, of course, the Butler has its challenges as well. We are blessed to have so many generous people in our community who understand that a healthy Butler Institute offering free cultural programming to our community must be sustained. To everyone who assists the Butler in any way, we say thank you."
The Butler's free admission policy and programs gain support from individual and corporate gifts, as well as from Butler memberships. Nearly two thousand entities from around the world contribute to the Institute. Membership levels start at the $30 level and extend to $3000 and beyond. Butler members receive discounts on art classes, museum shop purchases and items purchased in the museum's caf & eacute;. Members also receive invitations to events and art openings, Butler publications, and quarterly museum newsletters. (To give a Butler membership or a gift certificate for the Butler caf & eacute; or shop, or to inquire about a Butler art class, call the Butler (330) 743-1107, or visit the Butler Web site: www.butlerart.com.)
Two new exhibits
Two new Butler works are now on view within the Butler's first-floor galleries. The Butler Institute of American Art has added a work by modernist master Lyonel Feininger (1871-1956) to its collection. "Powdertower I" was purchased with monies from the museum's Draime Family Fund and is on display within in the Butler's Ford Gallery. Created in 1927 at an important time in Feininger's career, the Butler's new acquisition is an excellent example of the artist's well-known early modernist painting style. The subject, like much of the artist's work, depicts modern life -- factories, bridges and buildings. By adding dimensions in space though the use of light and color, this work combines Cubism with Expressionism.
New Jersey painter Gary T. Erbe's recently completed work titled "Baseball Album" is now on view in the Butler's Lester F. Donnell Gallery of American Sports Art. The massive oil-on-canvas work is a masterpiece of trompe l'oeil, or "fool-the-eye" painting. Erbe's method of still-life painting has garnered international fame and many awards for the self-taught painter. "Baseball Album" was recently purchased for the Butler's collection with monies from the museum's Donnell Fund.