Chris Yambar exhibit planned at bookstore

BOARDMAN — An exhibit of works by Youngstown-based pop artist-writer-comic book artist Chris Yambar opens today in the reading room gallery of Barnes & Noble bookstore.

The exhibit, the first in a series sponsored by Art Youngstown and Barnes & Noble, will include nearly 100 canvas images, reverse glass paintings and original comic art pages.

Yambar’s reverse glass paintings include colorized live-concert images of classic rock icons such as Led Zeppelin, KISS, Madonna, U2, Rod Stewart, Queen, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen taken by Cleveland photographer Janet Macoska.

A number of Yambar’s canvas paintings, in his signature pop art style, will also be on display. Images will include selections from his official licensed Disney collection, turn-of-the-century portraits of American Indians, and celebrity and cartoon character images.

Yambar will appear at the gallery from 7 to 9 p.m. May 14 for a free reception. The public will have an opportunity to view hundreds of original comic pages from Yambar’s comic publications, ask questions about his painting and writing careers, and hear him talk about his latest venture into the world of animation.

Yambar is one of the writers of Bart Simpson and Mr. Magoo comics, and has his own comic titles, including Mr.Beat, El Mucho Grande, Suicide Blonde, Life Maxx, The Twerp and the Blue Baboon.

His work can be found in numerous museum, gallery and pop culture collections around the world, including diverse locations such as the Ronald Reagan Library, the P.T. Barnum Museum, the Butler Institute of American Art, the Hummel Museum, and the Superman and the Dick Tracy museums.

Art Youngstown is a Mahoning Valley group that seeks to make art accessible to all through exhibitions. For more information, go to artyoungstown.org.