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Downtown Delight: Old Ward Bakery serves as backdrop for holiday art show
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Canfield artist Chris Leeper works on a painting during annual Holiday Open studio and Art Sale in the Ward Bakery Building Sunday.
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Numerous local artists displayed their work at the annual Holiday Open studio and Art Sale in the Ward Bakery Building Sunday.
- Place:Ward Bakery Building
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1024 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown
Old Ward Bakery serves as backdrop for holiday art show
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
As a teenager, Marianne Paskey Whitehouse worked at Ward Bakery from 1956 to ’59. Her father, Wally Paskey, was her supervisor and oversaw the wrapping machines.
Whitehouse, who went to South High School, returned to the Ward Bakery building, 1024 Mahoning Ave., on Sunday to attend the Holiday Open Studio and Art Show presented by Artists of the Mahoning Commons.
“So many buildings have been torn down, and with as much history as this one has, it would be a crime,” she said. “It’s wonderful that this is happening in the downtown area.”
Whitehouse said she appreciated that the arts “were being housed somewhere where artists do the actual work.” She said she admired the creativity of the artists.
Whitehouse said that on her breaks from work in the bakery, her dad would give her a quarter for an ice-cream cone at Isaly’s, then located across from Ward’s.
Though the artwork offered at the holiday event cost more than a quarter, the wide price range offered an opportunity for many to buy.
Marcie Applegate, one of the coordinators of the art show, said the event was the seventh annual. If you missed this weekend’s sale, you still have a chance to stop by from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Applegate estimated that between 600 and 700 people visited Sunday’s art show.
Artists displayed their works on the first through third floors. Applegate said some 15 artists have studios in the building; the show featured 35 participants.
“I think it gives people a personal connection. ... They can meet the artists and talk about their work,” she said.
Applegate, who has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Youngstown State University, said she has been creating copper, bronze and silver jewelry about nine years. She also makes one-of-a-kind pet-identification tags.
She said the art show provides a good showcase for customers to make a connection with local artists.
Patti Green, a jewelry maker from Poland, said she likes the show because of its “local vibe” that’s enhanced by being in a historic building.
Her jewelry of sterling silver, 14-carat-gold-filled and copper makes a unique gift.
“I have a following,” she said. “It’s nice to see repeat customers walk up wearing something I made.”
Green said her customers like to hear about the process and where her ideas come from. “I tell them the materials talk to me,” she said of the designs.
“Cupcake artists” Stacey Fisher and Chris Cole bake and decorate gourmet cupcakes for any occasion. Fisher said they are selling T-shirts with a cupcake on them to raise funds for their business. They plan to open their business in Youngstown Metro Church, 801 Wick Ave., which offered a good deal on the space.
Fisher said they’ve participated in other art shows to publicize their creative cupcakes. An example of their flavors is a chocolate-bacon cupcake made with dark chocolate and bacon bits, which also are sprinkled on the icing. Fisher said she and her partner also patronize local fruit farms for ingredients.
Scott Pergande of Youngstown, who makes ceramic stoneware, said he’s been an artist about 25 years. He manipulates molds to create various pieces, and other pieces are handmade.
Fred Shepherd of Ashtabula, formerly of Canfield, offered glass-fused ornaments and photography. The glass fusing puts together pieces of glass that are accented with metal. He said the show went well for him. He had many smaller, reasonably priced items such as Christmas bulbs and ornaments that were popular.
Andrea Erck of Youngstown was a first-time shopper at the art show but said she appreciated what it offered.
“This is different and unique,” she said as she browsed through Shepherd’s display. “I think it’s great doing something like this downtown.”