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YSU announces summer of the arts festival
By Bruce Walton
YOUNGSTOWN
The 18th annual Summer Festival of the Arts, scheduled for July 7-10, will feature diverse selections of art on the Youngstown State University campus and downtown Youngstown.
Lori Factor, YSU director of community engagement for the College of Creative Arts and Communication, discussed the highlights of this year’s festival at a news conference Tuesday near Kilcawley Center.
Factor said the festival is what creates and strengthens artistic communities because of the joint effort among artistic minds.
“We in the arts have to collaborate if we’re all going to be successful, and so having all of these entities coming together is something special,” she said.
The center of the festival will take place July 9-10 at and around the YSU campus.
The festival will include a marketplace showcasing more than 75 different local, regional and national artists to sell or display their original pieces. The artwork also includes sculptures, jewelry, and textiles.
The St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Summerfest will also take place July 7-10 at 220 N. Walnut St., and include dancing, live music, authentic Greek food and a display of cultural memorabilia.
There also will be musical performances at downtown’s Central Square, and each one will feature a famous guest. Downtown Shutdown on July 8 will feature the rock band The Clarks; Youngstown Wine and Jazz on July 9 will feature jazz saxophonist Marion Meadows; and 2DE Gospel Festival 2K16 on July 10 will feature gospel music icon Fred Hammond.
Mayor John A. McNally spoke about the positive vibe the festival will have on the Youngstown community.
“We still have a lot of people who don’t make it to downtown Youngstown on a regular basis, and this weekend certainly gives people of all ages, of all beliefs, all interests, an opportunity to come to the YSU campus to see everything [the festival] has to offer for some good family fun in the midsummer weekend,” McNally said.