Monday, August 4, 2008

Art sale benefits from Italian Fest traffic, weather

By Katie Libecco

YOUNGSTOWN – It was the third such fine art and craft sale at Cedars Lounge, but it was the first time the weather cooperated.

Some 20 artists showcased and sold their work Sunday on Cedars’ outdoor patio with the sun shining.

Coordinators Patrick Hyland and Marcie Applegate say they hoped the downtown Youngstown Italian Festival would help draw in more people.

They say the participating artists were split half-and-half: 10 were part of the Artists of the Mahoning Commons (in the Ward Bakery Building, 1024 Mahoning Ave.) and 10 were invited. Most were local artists, but two were from Hermitage, they say.

Applegate and Hyland say they tried to incorporate a “little of all different mediums.” Those on hand sold jewelry, textiles, paintings, drawings and sculptures, among other work.

The artists included Donna Bostardi (jewelry), Ed O’Malley (caricatures), Shelly Krok (glass bead jewelry), Jody Odom (prints and paintings), Daniel Horne (metal sculptures) and Tony Armeni (ceramic sculptures.)

Cedars got involved by offering a small menu of food from their soon-to-be-reopened kitchen and Sonny Hopcheck played guitar and sang for the crowd of visitors at the art sale.

Cedars was the venue of choice, Hyland says, because of their patrons’ history with the art community. Hyland and Applegate also sold their work: For Hyland, it was photographic prints on photo paper and canvas. For Applegate, it was a collection of delicate glass and silver jewelry.

Applegate will host an open house with sculptor Lynn Cardwell Aug. 16-17 at the Ward Bakery Building from noon to 5 p.m. The flier for the open house reads, “Go to Lynn Cardwell’s Pottery Studio and make a textured wall vase or leaf dish. Stop in Marcie Applegate’s Jewelry Studio to make a pendant or a pair of earrings from silver clay.”

Upcoming events that will features the Artists of the Mahoning Commons include a holiday open studio and art sale at the Ward Bakery Building Nov. 22, 23 and 29 and the SAA Craft Sale December 6-7.