SMARTS to sponsor public events

Staff report

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.