By Syann Ellis / Jambar Contributor
An event that attracts more than 15,000 people a year is coming back to the Youngstown State University campus.
For the past three years, Summer Festival of the Arts has been held downtown at Wean Park. Shannon Tirone, associate vice president of University Relations, said YSU President Bill Johnson was looking for ways to bring people to campus, and the event meets that need.
“When President Johnson first started at YSU, he asked a few of us, ‘What sort of community engagement and involvement can we increase to expand our footprint?’” Tirone said. “We mentioned [the festival] to him, told him about its past success on campus and he was all in.”
Summer Festival of the Arts is an annual event held the second weekend in July. It features artists, both local and out-of-state, from different mediums, such as sculpture, ceramics and photography. Artistic performances include music, dancing and acting. Children’s activities, such as crafts, offer interactive experiences.
“Returning to the campus not only honors the festival’s rich history but also enhances the experience for both artists and attendees from throughout our region,” Johnson said. “We look forward to another year of celebrating creativity and community on our beautiful campus.”
Tirone said university officials have hoped to bring the festival back to campus for some time.
“We want students who may be considering Youngstown State for higher education to get a taste of the university while they attend this community event,” Tirone said.
Tirone also expressed hope that YSU will bring in different and recurring food vendors and community partners for the festival.
“We used to have a Food of the Nations event, and we hope to bring that back. We also want to engage a lot of our community partners, whether it’s The Butler, the library or some of those different nonprofit organizations that make our community so special,” Tirone said.
The festival plans to accept submissions not only from community members but also from students in various art programs.
Phyllis Paul, dean of the Cliffe College of Creative Arts, stated her support for the event returning to YSU.
“This festival is a testament to the Mahoning Valley’s deep appreciation for the arts,” Paul said. “We are delighted to continue this tradition at YSU and offer an inspiring and enriching experience for everyone involved.”
The Summer Festival of the Arts will be held July 12-13, 2025. According to Tirone, registration to participate as an artist opens Jan. 1.