Awesome art and funny phone calls

Youngstown artist R. Jason VanHoose has put together a new exhibition that will open Saturday at DNA Studios gallery, 137 S. Park Ave, Warren, and run through July 20.

Titled “Sol Invictus,” the exhibit will begin with a free reception that night from 7 to 10 p.m. with finger foods, drinks and electronic music by Dollar Bill.

“Sol Invictus” features 14 works in the vibrant and immediately recognizable style of VanHoose. Subjects include landscapes, people and animals, all sharing a common theme: the Sun. The title, in fact, is Latin for “Unconquered Sun,” and the name was chosen to celebrate the summer solstice, which is Sunday.

VanHoose himself is also something of an unconquered sun, whose work is on display in several local restaurants and galleries. His work also hangs in many public and private collections, including Columbia Gas Corporate Collection in Columbus, the Cafaro Corporate Collection in Warren and PNC Bank Corporate Collection in Youngstown.

VanHoose’s art career began in 1993 when he graduated from Youngstown State University. He became an artist in residence at the McDonough Museum of Art at YSU in 1997, and an exhibit preparer there the following year.

His many solo exhibitions over the years include one at the Butler Institute of American Art in 2013.

His honors include an Ohio Arts Council professional-level grant earlier this year, and the Cameron Holmes Finishing Grant in 2013.

He was awarded Best of Show at the Butler’s 2006 Area Artists Annual, and third place at the Butler’s 2008 National Midyear Exhibition.

FUNNY BUSINESS at casino

A little more than a month ago, the Center Stage comedy club opened at Hollywood Gaming casino and racetrack in Austintown, featuring shows every Thursday by touring comedians. The 90-minute shows start at 8 p.m. in the trackside racing room on the casino’s lower level. Admission is $5 at the door, and patrons must be 21. Appearing tonight at the club are Tyrone Davis and Sue Bump. Call 330-505-8728 if you want to reserve a seat. With the opening of Center Stage, Austintown is now the home of three comedy clubs, joining the Funny Farm at California Palms Hotel and the Comedy Cellar at Mojo’s Pub and Grill.

FATHER-SON PHONE CALLS MAKE FOR HILARIOUS BOOK

People kept telling Tony Vavlas that the phone conversations he has with his dad are hilarious. So the Campbell man compiled the talks, which he occasionally posted on Facebook, and published them as a book.

Just in time for Father’s Day, “You Can’t Feed Butter to a Cat” (the title stems from a question his father asked) is available now at 1701press.com.

Vavlas and his father, Anthony, also will be at Bradley’s Books in Southern Park Mall in Boardman on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. to sign and sell copies of the book.

Vavlas lives next door to his retired, widower father, who has a tendency to call with some odd questions, and then jump to even funnier conclusions.

Their dialog has an Odd Couple dynamic. The elder Vavlas mangles his lines Yogi Berra-style and also drops in malaprops with maddening confidence, while the exasperated son sets him straight with some zingers. Beneath it all is warmth and charm, mixed with love and maybe a little wisdom.