Local artists featured at new mall gallery

NILES — A new gallery in Eastwood Mall exhibiting the work of local artists celebrated its grand opening with a reception today.

The Art Outreach Program gallery has been open since Nov. 24 and the response so far has been “remarkable,” committee Chairwoman Gail Stark said.

The gallery specializes in exhibiting and selling the work of local artists, including elementary through high school pupils.

“The exhibit will help our children expand creatively,” Stark said.

The gallery is located in the former Casual Corners store, which is in the J.C. Penney concourse.

The current exhibit, which runs through Jan. 15, is divided into three sections: professional artists, elementary through high school artists and Youngstown State University artists.

Pupils whose work is being featured are from Niles, Warren, Lakeview, Hubbard, Poland and Lisbon school districts and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Niles.

Volunteers who staff the gallery will help customers buy the artworks through the exchange of names and phone numbers, Stark said. All of the money from the purchase will go the artist.

The gallery space is provided by the mall, and co-sponsors are the Fine Arts Council of Trumbull County and the Warren Junior Women’s League.

It is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.