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Airbrush artwork vrooms in to Butler
Photo
Dan Kryger of Hermitage, Pa., points out details of his son’s Cobrathemed motorcycle to Jeanne and Del Hanuschak of Boardman and Kay Chaszeyka, who is the mother of the artist, at the exhibit of airbrush art by Steve Chaszeyka of New Middletown at the Butler.
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
Visitors to the usually staid Butler Institute of American Art will see an unusual sight for the next two weeks.
Six custom motorcycles are parked in the central Beecher Court, part of “Moto-Graphics: Art of the Motorcycle/Hot Rod Generation.” The exhibition showcases the work of airbrush artist Steve Chaszeyka of New Middletown. It opened Sunday and will remain on display through April 29.
The bikes in the exhibit have different themes: cobra, Pittsburgh Steelers, American flag, to name a few. Off to the sides are examples of Chaszeyka’s pinstriping — a technique for embellishing abstract art through central stripes and flourishes along the edges.
Chaszeyka does custom art and graphics on motorcycles and cars from his shop in New Middletown, and photos of his work have graced the cover of many motorcycle magazines. He also teaches his craft to other artists.
His prices for customizing a motorcycle range from $2,000 to $10,000.
A self-taught artist with no formal training, Chaszeyka has clients all over the country. He got into the craft while a teenager in high school.
The Butler museum is at 524 Wick Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.