Local artists dress up nutcrackers for benefit

YOUNGSTOWN — Twelve local artists are putting their own spin on wooden nutcrackers that will be raffled off to benefit Ballet Western Reserve.

The unfinished, or “naked,” nutcracker soldiers were given to the artists in advance so that they could paint them in their own style. All 12 will be on display at Powers Auditorium before and after Saturday’s performances of “The Nutcracker.” Each nutcracker also has a sponsor, and biographies of both the sponsor and artist will accompany each finished piece.

The winners will be drawn Saturday night and called the next day.

Following is a list of sponsors, followed by their artist, in the nutcracker project.

UPaula Burley, Poland High School

U Richard Dickinson, Pammy John Visuals

U Jeff and Jennifer Kuczek, St. Charles School

U Jeff and Jennifer Kuczek, Robert Dennick Joki for the Oakland Center for the Arts

U Don Foley, Ray Simon

ULynee Aiad-Toss, Julie Pavalko for Millcreek Metro Parks

UThomas and Wendy Persson, Arts Excel

UTerry and Judy Reardon (Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes), Cardinal Mooney High School Art Department

UMyrna Shuster, Girl Scouts of America

UMyrna Shuster, Annika Shuster

UDr. Noakes, DDS, Liberty High School Art Department

UBill and Jennifer Uhl (The Everclear Corporation), Gina Kessner