From start to finish

Youngstown artist Sis Soller organized the event.
By HEATHER WALLACE
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY. IT IS, as they say, worth a thousand words, but there is one story that a piece of art never tells: the tale of its journey from creation to exhibition. That experience is shared only by the art and the artist.
Most art admirers imagine that the artist's job is finished after the brushes are cleaned, the paint is put away, and the canvas is dry. Little do they know that the completion of that task is only the beginning of another. Next the artist must undertake the responsibility of preparing work for exhibition.
Margaret Soller, known as Sis, is one artist who is all too familiar with the time and effort that goes into an art exhibition. She has been involved with all facets of art since 1955 and during the past several months she has busied herself planning for the Regional Portraits exhibition at The Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown. Soller is not only a participant in the six-artist show; she also assumed the responsibilities for organizing the event.
Choosing participants
As organizer, Soller first had to select fellow participants. She ultimately chose oil artist Dino Massaroni from Akron, pastel artist Judith B. Carducci from Hudson, oil and pastel artist Carolyn E. Lewis from Cuyahoga Falls, oil and digital artist Kay Wilson from Canfield, and charcoal and oil artist Dawn Marr from Andover.
"I figured these five would be a good variety of mediums, and I would take care of the watercolor," said Soller.
Now that she had secured a group of fellow participants, providing artwork for the exhibition was next on Soller's agenda. "I had a few paintings I could use, but wanted to have a couple new ones, if possible, so I got to work," said Soller. She continued, "Usually for this kind of show artists will borrow paintings from owners of their work."
Framing the artwork is also a job which must be completed before it is ready for display.
"I do my own framing most of the time," said Soller. For this event Soller framed all but one of her six portraits.
Next steps
On July 21, with just under two weeks until the exhibition, Soller delivered her portraits to the Butler. "They [galleries] always want them about 10 days before the show opens," Soller explained.
On Aug. 1, the Regional Portraits exhibition opened.
Portraits from each of the six artists have been hung on the walls along with biographical information and titles cards. This represents the culmination of months of preparation and work.
Soller said preparing for an exhibition is "stressful and sometimes I ask myself why I do it, but it is fun, especially meeting the public and hearing their comments."
The Regional Portraits exhibition will continue to run through Sept. 26.