SMARTS performances set Wednesday and Thursday

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University’s Students Motivated by the Arts program hosts two public events this week to celebrate the work of the program’s staff, teachers and students this academic year.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Ave., the SMARTS Instrumental Music Recital features performances by SMARTS piano, violin, and Salvation Army brass students.

At 6 p.m. Thursday at St. Patrick Church, 420 Oak Hill Ave., the SMARTS Spring Showcase features performances by SMARTS dance, rock band and SMARTS Sings!

Admission is $1 for adults and free for children. For information, call 330-941-2787.

SMARTS, created in 1997, has grown into one of YSU’s premier points for community engagement — having raised more than $1.7 million since 2001 for free, quality arts-education programming for kindergarten through 12th-grade students.