Youngstown mural to be on display at festival

YOUNGSTOWN — “Here In Youngstown,” a 24-by-6-foot mural created by graphic artist Bob Barko Jr., will be on display at the Olde Fashioned Christmas at the Mill festival today and Sunday.

A 12-by-36-inch full-color print of the mural will also be for sale at the annual winter festival, which is held at Lanterman’s Mill in Mill Creek Park. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Barko owns and operates Steel Town Studios, downtown.

“Here In Youngstown” is a visual history of Youngstown, from 1796 to the present. It depicts the city’s people and places that have become icons, including John Young, Idora Park, Isaly’s, the steel mills, the Warner brothers, William Holmes McGuffey, Volney Rogers, P. Ross Berry, Maureen McGovern, Bernie Kosar, Jim Tressel, “Dike” Beede, Mayor Jay Williams and Kelly Pavlik. The mural also depicts a variety of local landmarks and products.

The mural print, available to the public for the first time, costs $20; a signed and numbered artist proof is available for $40. A variety of art and collectibles from Steel Town Studios will also be available.

Barko said early demand for the print is strong, with buyers indicating they want to give them as Christmas gifts.