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YMCA celebrates Afternoon of the Arts
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Author Anthony L. Manna (right), who lives in Poland, spent many years translating Grecian children's stories, which he published in his book "The Orphan." During the YMCA's Oct. 22 Afternoon of the Arts, Austintown fifth-grade teacher DonnaMarie Polak (left) dressed as the star of Manna's story.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Boardman natives Samantha DeFabio (left), Joey Nail, and Jimmy Nail created crowns fit for true royalty at an Afternoon of the Arts craft station.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Dancer Alana Lesnansky (left), of Torrie Trella's Academy of Dance, showed off her skills during a performance at the Davis YMCA's Afternoon of the Arts.
By SARAH FOOR
Any day during a week, community members can visit the Boardman Davis YMCA to express themselves in painting, drawing, pottery, photography and many other forms of art.
Although the facility is always an artistic haven in the community, on Oct. 22, the Boardman YMCA became the center of all things creative in the Mahoning Valley when artisans of all sorts gathered at the third-annual Afternoon of the Arts.
The event was a collaborative effort between the facility’s Arts Coordinator Suzanne Gray and program director Jordan Shaver as a close to National Arts Week for the YMCA.
“Along with celebrating the work of local artists, we hope that our Afternoon of the Arts shows how much art strengthens our communities. We’re definitely excited because this year, we’ve added a craft show as well as welcoming more performers and artists at work. We’re always working to make the event bigger and better each year,” Shaver said.
In addition to the craft show and performers, the Afternoon of the Arts offered guests to the chance to meet Poland author Anthony Manna and participate in a footstep project Gray organized for the Global Art Project for Peace.
Artists were on hand completing charcoal drawings, pottery, woodcarving, and loom weaving and answering queries from guests. Poetry readings, musical performances, and local dancers also entertained the crowd.
Spinner Marty McCarthy used her loom at the event to create yarn. The artist said that all types of expression should be celebrated, which is why she participated in the YMCA event.
“My art in particular is something that relaxes and interests me, and keeps me in touch with a part of our history. Having an artistic passion is a gift, and I hope that everyone in our community can find theirs,” McCarthy said.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Author Anthony L. Manna (right), who lives in Poland, spent many years translating Grecian children's stories, which he published in his book "The Orphan." During the YMCA's Oct. 22 Afternoon of the Arts, Austintown fifth-grade teacher DonnaMarie Polak (left) dressed as the star of Manna's story.