A piece of art inspired an exhibition opening Saturday in Youngstown.

Youngstown artist Tony Nicholas created a poster he shared on social media earlier this year.

“I made this poster of a mannequin I have in my studio with the gas mask on it, and in Photoshop, I superimposed an American flag on it all because I found this quote somewhere that just said, ‘Use Art as a Weapon,'” he said. “I posted that picture on Instagram with that quote in the comment. And a friend of mine, Gail Trunick from Hartford, another artist, she made a comment and said, ‘Tony, that’s a great title for a show.'”

Nicholas started contacting artist friends who in turn suggested other participants.

“I tried to get everyone to make something new on this general topic of the times we now live in,” Nicholas said. “I don’t care what side you’re on, that’s not the point. The point is just to express yourself while you can.

“I picked the artists that were friends of mine, and some of them, some of them are older than me, then it runs the gamut of from my generation on down to, like, I have a girl that was a student of mine last year at YSU … The only guideline was make a comment on the world and what might bother you or makes you feel good and say something through your work instead of just making hateful comments on Facebook.”

In addition to Nicholas, participating artists include Eric Alleman, Steph Blair, Michael Green, Alex Infante, Robert W. Walker, Jim Pernotto, Terence M. Fetchet, Sam Perry, Doug Meyer, James Rogers Jr., David Wheeler, Tony Armeni, Venise Abell, Asia Mahon, Shawn Crum, Daniel Horne, Kristina Rule and Trunick.

Some participants will display one or two pieces, others will have several works. Most of the work will be for sale.

The exhibit, which is sponsored by Westside Bowl and LOOP Youngstown, will be shown at the former South High School building at 1833 Market St., Youngstown. It was purchased in 2023 by Youngstown Jubilee Urban Development with plans to revitalize it and spark development in the surrounding neighborhood.

“They want to show people that the building is being used and it’s alive and so on and so forth,” Nicholas said. “They’ve been great.”

Nicholas would like to use the space for future exhibitions and said he hopes “Use Art as a Weapon” provides a positive outlet for both artists and viewers.

“I know a lot of people are angry about the way things are and some people don’t know how to express that,” he said. “Art is a good way to, and you don’t have to be an artist to do it. It’s a good way to let it out and express yourself. Use art as the weapon instead of bricks and stones and guns. There are other ways to resolve things and have discourse than just screaming at each other. Let’s see what happens when you see what these artists have to say and what conversations that can start.”

If you go …

WHAT: “Use Art as a Weapon” exhibition

WHEN: Opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday followed by hours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in August.

WHERE: Former South High School building, 1833 Market St., Youngstown

HOW MUCH: Admission is free.