By Kaitlyn McCarthy
Youngstown State University has been home to the McDonough Museum of Art for 30 years, and it offers a space for teaching and entertainment.
A fundraiser and celebration will take place Saturday, Oct. 16. Assistant museum director Angela DeLucia explained what to expect from the celebration.
“We are having a special virtual 30th anniversary benefit event that includes an online auction, a special musical performance and those purchasing tickets for the event will get a surprise filled swag bag. We have put a call out on social media for McDonough memories that we will highlight,” DeLucia said.
The museum will open new exhibits throughout the fall in preparation for the anniversary celebration. Different artists will exhibit their work at McDonough.
“We have three different artists from the Pittsburgh area … We have each of them doing their artist talks,” museum director Claudia Berlinski said.
Along with these artists, many previous YSU graduates and students show their works at the museum.
“Each year, I am amazed by the work by students from the department of art that is displayed in the fall and spring graduating BFA, as well as the Annual Juried Student Exhibition,” DeLucia said. “I feel lucky and privileged to get a chance to work with so many great colleagues, artists and students.”
The online fundraiser will take place between Oct. 16-18. Anyone is able to enter regardless if they are a ticket holder or not.
Berlinski chose which events will take place for the celebration. As museum director, she is responsible for planning these events and ensuring what should and should not be included.
“One of the primary functions that I have is to curate exhibitions. So, that involves finding artists, picking out artwork, coordinating the exhibitions so they work together,” Berlinski said.
Each year, McDonough exhibits different artwork, with each exhibition, show or display offering something new for visitors to see.
“I always look forward to the student exhibitions that we have and am always excited to see their work and their level of creativity. There are a lot of talented students here in YSU’s Department of Art and it is nice to be a part of showcasing their art,” DeLucia said.
Many guests will present during the fall 2021 semester, and student events will be held at McDonough.
“We have student honors recitals from the Dana School of Music … and then a film screening on the 21st,” Berlinski said. “At the end of each semester, we feature the work of our graduated BFA and MFA students from the department of art. So, we will also be having that exhibition at the end of the semester.”
Guest Patricia Bellan-Gillen will speak Sept. 16 at 5:10 p.m. Catie Dillon will speak Sept. 22 at 5:10 p.m. Diane Samuels will be the final speaker of the semester, arriving Oct. 5 at 5:10 p.m.
Events will be on assigned days throughout the semester until the final day of BFA Exhibition, which spans Dec. 3 – 18.
