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.