KATHRYN EARNHART | At the Butler Artist features live action in exhibit

A display of work of New York artist Ted Victoria is causing great excitement in the Beecher Center Flad Gallery of the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown.
"Is Anyone Home?" is a whimsical installation highlighted by a translucent (green) house filled with giant, other-worldly creatures swimming within it.
The magical display is not the result of film, video or hologram -- it is a camera obscura projection work, and the moving creatures are actually tiny, live brine shrimp swimming within the artist's self-constructed aquarium/projector.
Vastly different from our usual experience with visual art as static images, Ted Victoria's projected images take on a live-action dimension.
The Butler's exhibition of Victoria's "greenhouse" work is beautifully supplemented by a recent series of the artist's camera obscura projection boxes, all of which have the appearance of wall-mounted light boxes.
A screen on the front of each work presents to the viewer a collage of projections of miniature objects inside each box. Using mirrors and mechanical devices, the mysterious view of these interiors animates what is usually thought of in art as a still life.
Meet the artist
Another show of new-age art by New York artist Bozidar Kemperle opens Sunday in the Butler's Beecher Center Bermant with a meet-the-artist event from 1 to 3 p.m.
This site-specific exhibition combines video, sound and computer imaging -- to create an environment to envelope the viewer.
American modernism from the Kauffman collection continues on view in Butler second-floor galleries through Oct. 31. This exhibition presents works from an era of American 20th-century artistic invention.
Also on view in Butler second-floor galleries is the popular quilt display "Calico and Chintz" from the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This exhibition features 22 rare pieced and whole-cloth American quilts made before 1850.
Through Nov. 21 in the Butler's lower-level Mesaros Galleries is a photography show by Helen Jones. Using her garden as inspiration, Jones has captured in this exhibition the beauty of flowers that are in decline.
Salem, Trumbull
Through Oct. 30, the very popular solo show of quilts by artist Rebecca Seigel continues at the Butler's Salem branch, located at 343 E. State St. The works in this exhibition pay tribute to women from all walks of life whose lives have inspired others.
And through Nov. 28, at the Butler's Trumbull branch, located at 9350 E. Market St. in Howland Township, large-scale abstract paintings by Lawrence Salander of New York City are on view.
The Butler and Y-103 FM Radio will present the Beatles Tribute band Abbey Road in concert from 7 to 11 p.m. Nov. 13 in the museum's Beecher Court.
This very popular annual fund-raiser is sponsored this year by Butler Wick Trust Co., The Farmers National Bank, DiRusso's Sausage, Antone's, The Taylor-Winfield Foundation, WFMJ-TV 21, The Vindicator, Schwebel Family Foundation, Alex Downie & amp; Sons Co., AM Party Rentals, Tauro Brothers Trucking, Travaglini Enterprises Inc., Dr. Constantine & amp; Renae Economus and Pepsi.
Free parking is available for the event. For tickets, stop by the Butler in Youngstown or call (330) 743-1107, Ext. 122 or 123.
Butler fall art classes are now in full swing. There are still spaces available in the Butler's "Homeschoolers" class. "Fiberarts" for youngsters begins Wednesday as does "Learning to Draw." Adult classes, including "Calligraphy" and "Abstract Painting" are also available in October and November.
Children and adult classes are also offered at the Butler's Trumbull location. Call (330) 743-1711, Ext. 117 for information on art class registration.
XButler hours in Youngstown are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Butler hours at the Trumbull branch are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Butler Salem hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Admission to all facilities is free.