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DAY AT THE MUSEUM
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Angela Gaca, 6, of Austintown shows off her final product at the Butler Museum of American Art Children's Day.
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Nico Mascarella, 6, his sister Amelia, 8, both of Youngstown; and Carlee Gaca, 9, of Austintown get a hands-on lesson in still life amid more famous works at the Butler Museum of American Art Children's Day.
Thanksgiving stories and a still life of a cornucopia were part of the free Family Day at the Butler.
By KATIE SEMINARA
YOUNGSTOWN — Celeste Wilbois took a trip over the river and through the woods and learned a turkey dance at the Butler Institute of American Art.
Celeste, 9, of Hubbard, also learned a thing or two about still life paintings before creating her own during Family Day at the museum Sunday.
“It’s nice and it’s free,” said Celeste’s mom, Betsy Wilbois.
“There aren’t a lot of free things for kids that are fun. They learn new things and get to be creative,” she said.
Family Day is hosted on the third Sunday of every month January through April and September through November.
By teaming up with the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County, the Butler is able to create an event full of live readings, art education and crafts.
More than 30 children and parents attended Family Day on Sunday to hear Thanksgiving stories and learn about still life paintings.
Shari Della Penna, assistant children services specialist for the main branch of the library, sang “Over the River and Through the Woods” and “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie.”
The stories that are read or sung aloud are meant to tie in with the works of art being shown and the crafts being made, said Della Penna.
A cornucopia display was set up by Sandy Trolio, a Butler docent, who taught the children how to make a still life by simply ripping construction paper and using glue sticks.
“We try to make the kids feel like a real artist,” Trolio said.
And the artist they were imitating was Severin Roesen and his painting called “Still Life with Strawberries.”
Celeste called the painting “beautiful,” but said she enjoyed the stories because they were funny.
Sitting behind Celeste at another table in the children’s gallery was 4-year-old Jonas Crowther of Boardman, who was working diligently on his cornucopia still life.
While ripping and sticking construction paper he could only nod that he was having a good time.
“This was really fun, well organized and the storyteller was really enthusiastic,” said Jonas’ mom, Elizabeth Crowther.
“This is a nice way to bring [the kids] to the museum, because it’s more interesting to them,” said Crowther, who was also with her 2-year-old daughter Noelle and husband, Jeff.
Alyssa and Fionna Ferguson and Sydney Shoman, all of Struthers, were also involved in craft making and said it was the best part of the day at the museum.
The three girls went to the Butler with their aunt Sue Vitale of Poland.
Family Days are fun for the girls and a reason for Vitale to go the museum, she said.
“Hey, that’s a good lemon,” Vitale said to Alyssa as she helped her nieces create their art.
“I think it exposes [the kids] to something that they normally wouldn’t be exposed to,” Vitale said of the event.
The next Family Day at the Butler in Youngstown is scheduled for Jan. 18 at 1:30 p.m. For more information, call (330) 743-1107 or visit www.butlerart.com.