Patrick Hyland at the Star Gallery

Patrick Hyland, long time favorite son of the Youngstown art scene, will be showing a body of recent work at the Star Gallery, Oakland Center for the Arts, in conjunction with the near sold out theater performance, "How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas".

The work in this show may not be quite what collectors of Mr. Hyland's work would expect. Known for his photographs of dramatic landscapes, this show, in contrast, features abstracted images of geological formations. Strange faces  and other body parts emerge from rocky surfaces, much in the same vein as a Rorchache Test. Nearly everyone who has entered the gallery is taken aback not only by the  bold images themselves but how their minds blatantly interpret what is being perceived. At the very least it makes for entertaining conversation. At the most, one is left with a profound sense of unease and self questioning. Without going in to great detail, let's just say that in some strange way, this show, with it's Freudian implications, certainly fits well with the gender bending theme of the theater performance.......!

Artist Reception, Oakland Center for the Arts

                          Large Format Digital Image by Nea Bristol/Michelle Orostin

     The Star Gallery, Oakland Center for the Arts, will hold a reception for the artists participating in "Candied Macabre", a show of dark and disturbing images. 

 The reception begins at 6pm and runs until 8pm on Friday, October 31st. We will serve wine and food. 

 The Oakland will also be featuring "Night of the Living Dead" which begins at 8pm and a midnite performance at well.

 Find out just how  scary Youngstown culture can be! Visit the Oakland and Star Gallery on Halloween and cap it off with a long night of partying in haunted downtown Youngstown!

See the post below for more information on the participating artists.

Candied Macabre

Candied Macabre, a show of work by Youngstown based artists James Pernotto, Michelle Orostin and William Youngman will open tonight, October 24th at the Oakland Center for the Art's Star Gallery in conjunction with the theater performance, "Night of the Living Dead".

 James Pernotto is considered a keystone figure in Youngstown art community. He has provided us with advice and opportunities but garners most respect from his peers due to his high skill level and artistic vision. Pernotto is showing 4 large format paintings, 2 of which are from his "Side Show Series".  The works  from this series are paintings on handmade, sculpted paper and are titled "The Wildman of Borneo" and "Scarface, The Human Zipper". Currently Pernotto is teaching  Drawing at Penn State University and keeps a studio in downtown Youngstown.  View Pernotto's Website.

 Michelle Orostin, professionally known as Nea Bristol, is a master of traditional photography who has delved into the world of digital imagery. Her work is dark and surreal, with an emphasis (in this show) on childhood, spirituality and domesticity. I find her work disturbing and controversial. Initially, as curator, I was concerned the work would require me to post warnings outside the gallery. Orostin is currently teaching Photography at Youngstown State University and keeps a lavish studio in an historic mansion on the city's North Side. She  is currently showing her work  in a gallery at the  Devil's Night Deposition in the Hasting Street Ballroom, Detroit. Read about it  here  and   View a sample of her work.

William Youngman, professionally known as Atrijata, is an emerging artist on the Youngstown scene. A young father of 2, Youngman's work places a great deal of emphasis on his children and domestic life. His work explores the fears and deep concerns that parents face  while living and raising children in a severely disturbed world. Metaphor and visual poetry are Youngman's strong points. Elements such as giant spiders and nuclear blasts hint at the powerful, yet undefined problems that haunt a society which enshrines domestic bliss. I suspect we will be hearing a great deal more of Mr. Youngman in the near future. View his website.

 We are working diligently on a reception for the artists, but we have not yet settled on a time. However, please visit the gallery during theater performances of  Night of the Living Dead. We will be open throughout all performances on October 24th, 25th, 26th, 30th, and November 1st, starting at 8pm. You do not have to attend the performance to visit the Star Gallery.

We are located at 220 West Boardman Street in Wonderful Downtown Youngstown!

  

Front Page Headlines!!!!

Yep, that's me on the FRONT page of  the latest edition of The Catholic Exponent! Thanks to Debora Shaulis Flora for her fine article and photography. I  especially appreciate that she included my family history in the article as this sheds a light of insight on my artistic and spiritual life. 

 Many people have been asking me where they can find a FEROCIOUS  RED and GOLD WILDCAT ROLLERCOASTER T-shirt like the one I am wearing in the photo.  Contact  atrijata.com 

 Also a shout out to my friends at St. Columba's for all their support over the passed year.

Hannah Woodroofe at the Star Gallery

 Starting Friday,  September 5th,  at  8pm, the recent work of Hannah Woodroofe will be on display at the Star Gallery, Oakland Center for the Arts, downtown Youngstown, Ohio, in conjunction with the theater performance "Doubt".

 Woodroofe's collage's have a stark, post industrial, perhaps even apocalyptic tone. Drawing from sources such as antique Sears Roebuck catalogs and family snapshots,they strongly reflect American history, culture and the Great Dream not quite realized.  The unrelenting power of nature features prominently in her work as well, with images of mutated plants and trees growing up through floor boards of her melancholy, dreamlike houses.

 Woodroofe's work has shown in galleries in New York City, Chicago, London, and several traveling shows, including one aboard an Amtrak train. Many people I've spoken to say that this is perhaps one of the  strongest, most contemporary  and compelling shows  to be hosted at the Oakland for many years. 

 This show can be viewed during  "Doubt" theater performances from 8PM until 9PM, September 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, and 13.

 Woodroofe's work can be viewed online at: wow-wow-wow-wow.com

The Eagle in Mill Creek Park

In late July of this summer, while driving through Mill Creek Park,  I saw a mature Bald Eagle perched in the branches of a tall pine, high above the waters of Lake Cohasset.  I was able to get a few quick shots with my Nikon D-80 at a distance of about 200 yards. Later I cropped, enlarged and enhanced the photos. Unfortunately the pics are low quality because of these circumstances but are indeed authentic.

It was an amazing experience for me to witness an Eagle for only the second time in my life, and within the Youngstown city limits no less. To me this was a sign that bodes well for our city for many reasons. Perhaps the most notable is that our post industrial environment is getting much cleaner and our shrinking city is providing  additional habitat for these large, majestic birds.

 In my life, I tend to look at the symbolic and spiritual side of things. This creature represents freedom, strength and pride, 3 things that we as Youngstowners have struggled for years to achieve. I believe those virtues have now  come to our city on the wings of this mighty bird.

Choose Well or be Damned

Years ago, as 224 in Boardman and Canfield was being developed, I was working at the McDonough Museum as the Exhibition Preparator, the number 2 position at that facility. A local businessman came in, looking for artwork to hang in his new million dollar office building just off 224. He promoted himself as shrewed, successful and highly refined culturally. I showed him my work and the work of several other regional artists whose work had achieved a great deal of national respect, then later on that day I took a ride out to see his new building. It was a beautiful, sleek, contemporary structure with a futuristic look to it. Though it wasn't large it was certainly impressive. He explained that he was looking for at least one very large painting for the rather lavish lobby. I quoted him some prices for my work and the work of the other artists I'd showed him at the museum, prices that were very reasonable for this high caliber work. After a few days, I called him and he told me that he thought my prices were too high and that he found a local high school student to do a large painting for the lobby for a mere two hundred dollars! I had to choke back a condescending guffaw as he further went on to explain that in his refined cultural wisdom he was certain this student could create work as good as any artist I'd shown him. My final words to him were "You get what what you pay for!"
A year went by and I stopped by to see this High School Masterpiece in the lobby. It was certainly an ambitious undertaking and perhaps if the student had some college level training the painting might have been successful. Unfortunately, it was obvious that low quality materials were used and the student had little understanding of color and composition. His naivete' and lack of general life experience were glaring. It was embarrassing to look at for many reasons. I knew a lawyer who kept his offices in this new building and I asked him his opinion. He said that most of his clients were wealthy people from Poland who invested in art and were generally culturally sophisticated. Many of his clients made statements to the effect: "That painting reflects badly on this building and and the businesses that are here". He went on to say that though the owner spent a million on the structure he was unwilling to spend the money on the true heart heart of the building and the businesses and clients suffered for it. I thought it was an accurate statement as I viewed the building owner to be cheap, pompous, narrow minded and culture less. His art reflected his heart.
These days a similar situation is brewing downtown. Weekly I am contacted by people who have opened or will soon open businesses. Much of their financing is very good and they receive government grants and other "free" money. I often hear sentiments from them as I did from the above mentioned "art connoisseur". Many of them seem to believe that any art will do and the cheaper the better. Some have purchased work that is low quality and amateurish and proudly display it. I sincerely wish that these people would consider our position in the National and International landscape and buy art accordingly. We have some of the most powerful and culturally sophisticated people in the ENTIRE WORLD checking out the downtown. People like Nancy Pelosi and a myriad of presidential candidates! I have spent time with people like this and I guarantee you one thing: On the trip back to DC in Air Force One they will be laughing their asses off at the crap from Wal-Mart or Goodwill that you hung in your office and lobby. I can just hear Barrack Obama solemnly state "When these small town people lose their hope in government, they cling to their bad art".
Remember: Your choice of art will determine how people will perceive you, your motivations and your business.