Area artists assemble for show, sale on West Side

The free event features photography, steel sculpture pieces and works from numerous other mediums.

By Sean Barron

YOUNGSTOWN — A visit to Tony Armeni’s studio might tempt you to put a new spin on explaining the practical uses of a bowling ball.

That’s because he uses such a ball not to get strikes or convert spares but as the main attraction for one of his pieces of steel sculpture.

“When I stop powering the motor, the ball loses its center of balance, and that causes its orbit on the edge of the tank head,” which resembles a large steel bowl, explained Armeni, of Youngstown, referring to a remote-controlled sculpture piece he designed that relies on a variable-speed motor and rubber-friction wheel at the bottom of the bowl-shaped device.

The remote control causes the small wheel to accelerate, which, along with centrifugal force, sends the ball on elliptical and other orbits inside the bowl; a steel guard prevents it from becoming airborne.

Armeni was one of an estimated 35 local artists who took part Sunday in the seventh annual Artists of the Mahoning Commons Holiday Open Studio and Art Sale at the Ward Bakery building, 1024 Mahoning Ave., on the city’s West Side. The free show continues from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday in the building.

Conducting the bowling-ball demonstrations was Stephanie Blair, an assistant to Armeni and a Youngstown State University art major.

Armeni, who specializes in metal sculpture and mixed media, uses materials about to be recycled, as well as many left over from fabrication shops. He also enjoys making ceramic, multicolored works that “express the preciousness of the planet,” he said.

For those with a nostalgic flair, an observation of R. Jason Van Hoose’s photography likely proved worthwhile.

Van Hoose, who received a degree in painting from YSU, displayed three photographs he took in the mid-1990s of the Wild Cat, one of two main roller coasters at Idora Park, and framed them in original wood from the popular ride. He also had a yellow wooden beam taken from the Wild Cat.

“A neighbor took my sister and I there when I was 8 years old,” Van Hoose recalled. “It made a big impression when I was going through a difficult time in my life.”

Also in the studio Van Hoose used were numerous paintings by local artist Michael Green that included renderings of legendary jazz saxophonists Charlie Parker and Lester Young.

On display or for sale were wood-framed mirrors, handmade furniture, ceramic nativity sets and angels, copper earrings and pendants, tie-dye paintings and baby clothing, and tiki charms made from resin or sand. Other offerings included jewelry, painted silk fabrics, Christmas ornaments, oil- pastel- and charcoal-based paintings, and bottle caps designed by Nancy Crish of Hubbard.

Crish’s technique is to draw and cut out circles with a stencil, add her ideas and fill the caps with resin, which takes a few days to dry. Then she inserts quotes and designs in the caps, many of which are used for necklaces and appeal to young people.

“It’s an outlet for my creativity,” Crish said, adding that art is a hobby.

Anyone drawn to photography highlighting a dark, gothic look needed to look no farther than Nea Bristol’s table.

The Youngstown artist delves into fine art and conceptual photography of professional models and ordinary people, many of whom wear unconventional clothing, rings and other additions. An example is a picture of Sarah Burgess, a singer who appeared on “American Idol.” Burgess wanted additional darkened photos to add to her portfolio, Bristol explained.

“I make people into what they envision for themselves,” she said.

A walk to the third floor quickly reveals numerous mandelas by Austintown-based artist Gary Blackburn lining the wall.

Most of the mandelas are made from crushed stone and acorns, sticks, sand, Indian corn and other natural materials and borrow from numerous cultures, Blackburn noted.

The mandelas have concentric structures and symbolize unity and harmony while serving as a tool for spiritual journeys.

Also on display were brightly colored, high-fried stoneware pottery by local artist Lynn Cardwell as well as jewelry, ceramics and mixed-media paintings and drawings by Boardman artist and art teacher Marcie Roepke-Applegate.

“I do a little of everything; I can’t focus,” Roepke-Applegate said with laughter.