Despite rain, art buffs deem YSU festival a masterpiece

By Elise Mckeown Skolnick

More than 60 artists sold original, handcrafted pieces in the marketplace.

YOUNGSTOWN — Gray skies, claps of thunder and even an early steady rain didn’t keep visitors from enjoying food and art.

Instead, those who came out Saturday for Youngstown State University’s 11th annual Summer Festival of Arts popped open umbrellas, slipped on rain ponchos or took cover in the doorways of buildings and waited for the weather to clear. They were rewarded with a sunny afternoon.

“The serious shoppers go whatever the weather is,” said Mark Vudanka of New Wilmington, Pa. “The way the weather is around here, rain doesn’t stop you. If you waited every time the weather was bad, you’d never go anywhere.”

This was Vudanka’s third year attending the event with his wife, Carol. The couple enjoy the handcrafted items made by area artists.

“These people are really talented,” Carol Vudanka said.

And since the items are handmade, it’s possible to buy something that you won’t find in other places, Mark Vudanka added.

More than 60 artists sold original, handcrafted pieces in the festival’s artists’ marketplace. Items included jewelry, paintings, sculptures and other works of art.

Participating for her third year, Kim Mizerak of Madison, Ohio, said, “It’s fun. It’s a nice show. They’re helpful. It’s a good crowd.”

Mizerak has found attendance to be down at all craft shows but attributes it to the economy rather than bad weather.

“It’s Ohio. You’re used to it,” she said with a laugh.

Mizerak makes jewelry from vintage pieces and parts with genuine stones, silver and gold.

Visitors had nearly 50 performances to choose from for entertainment.

Judi LaPolla of Warren and her two children attended the festival to see a performance by Ballet Western Reserve students. Maddy LaPolla, 13, is a student at the dance school and came to watch her friends perform.

“It was phenomenal — amazing,” Judi LaPolla said.

Students performed various styles of dance and ended with a Michael Jackson tribute, she said.

“It was really good,” Maddy said. “I liked the different [dance] styles.”

The trio didn’t let the rain chase them away. They munched french fries while they waited for the rain to stop.

“We want to go see all the artists’ tents and do some shopping,” Judi LaPolla said.

The event includes activities by local cultural and religious organizations, the Festival of Nations ethnic fair and the Smoky Hollow 5K Run and One-Mile Family Fun Walk.

Saturday’s festivities were to end, weather permitting, with Fort on the Fifty, the annual music and fireworks extravaganza in Stambaugh Stadium on the YSU campus.

The festival continues today.