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Butler Midyear keeps it real

Realism reigns in the 85th National Midyear Exhibition at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown.

"In small town America, realism is the art of the people," Butler Executive Director Louis A. Zona said. "If you're an artist with skills, you want to show them off with a realist work. Most people don't understand the success or failure of an abstraction."

The exhibition includes two-dimensional works in oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, drawing, prints, photographs, mixed media and digital works depicting a wide range of styles and thematic influences. However, one theme that doesn't emerge in this year's show is the COVID-19 pandemic.

"In the Frontline 2," an oil-on-canvas painting by Florida artist Alberto Jorge Carol that depicts a person wearing a mask, face shield and protective garb, is one of the only pieces that directly addresses the reality of life in 2020-21.

"Art generally is a reflection of the time," Zona said. "Maybe, like the rest of us, the artists are sick of it, want it to be over and don't want to be reminded of it."

Zona decided to use a two-tiered system this year for the juried exhibition. New York based artist Paul Ching Bor selected the works that will be shown, picking 140 entries by 126 artists from the 727 entries by 269 artists that were submitted for consideration.

While the selected artists represent 18 states, local talent makes a strong showing with more than 20 artists from the Mahoning and Trumbull counties included.

"He's had a couple exhibitions here and is a wonderful talent," Zona said of Bor. "He was born in China, raised in Hawaii and has been living in New York for a number of years. I was introduced to him by (artist) Gary Erbe, and I couldn't get over how wonderful his art was. I asked if he could judge the Midyear, and he was just thrilled."

Zona then tapped H. Anderson Turner, director of galleries at Kent State University's school of art, to pick the award winners from the works chosen by Bor.

"I don't know what I was thinking -- the more eyes on it the better," he said. "In the old days, there used to be a committee (that made the selections)."

Turner selected 10 artists for awards, which will be announced during an opening reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The pandemic forced the cancellation of last year's Midyear, and Sunday's opening reception will be the largest gathering at the Butler since the coronavirus forced the museum to close in March 2020. Zona said the Butler will follow all current guidelines for the event.

"It does make me nervous, but we're supposed to be safe with our shots," he said.

If you go …

WHAT: 85th National Midyear Exhibition

WHEN: Sunday through Sept. 5, with opening reception 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

WHERE: Butler Institute of American Art, 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown

HOW MUCH: Admission is free. For more information, go to butlerart.com or call 330-743-1107.