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LOOP artists exhibit work at TAG

Thirty artists affiliated with LOOP Youngstown Arts + Culture Center will display their work in an exhibition opening Saturday at Trumbull Art Gallery.

TAG Gallery Director William Mullane said a sound-focused exhibition curated by Jim Conti originally was planned for October, but the technical demands of that installation were too difficult to complete in time, and that show is rescheduled for next year.

A show with LOOP, planned for 2027, was moved up to fill the slot.

After a years-long search and fundraising effort, LOOP Youngstown acquired a building at 805 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown, that features studio spaces and other tools to support artists and provide creative programming for the region.

Mullane contacted all of the artists who have studios at LOOP as well as those who use its website to increase exposure for their work. Each artist submitted up to three pieces to display.

Participating artists include: Laurie J. Anderson, Anthony J. Armeni, Joelene Barb, Dei Bilunka, Heather Bowser, Christina Bunevich, Dieter Chance, Carole Conaster, Joy Cotton, Peyton Cram, Tom Cvetkovich, Dante DelBene, Willie Duck Jr., Elizabeth Ford, Ed Hallahan, Ashley Kellar, Kellie Kirksey, Rick Knight, Connie Kolarik, Julie Martin, Annamarie Mastrey, Wayne Niemi, Tony Nicholas, AJ Pascoe, Jeffrey Puccini, Tom Ritter, Lauren Sandor, Sarah Sharber, Abby Wendle and Thomas Witte.

"There's 10 sculptural pieces, and seven of them actually sit on the floor," Mullane said. "They're that big."

Photography, painting and mixed media works also are well-represented.

The exhibition is the first of what Mullane expects to be a long partnership between TAG and LOOP.

"I've always been involved with LOOP as an advisor, and one of the things that we always talked about was that TAG could become a gallery for the LOOP artists, because they don't have a gallery space (of its own), at least not a substantial one ... I think it's good to have that affiliation for us too, because it just broadens the pool of people and the artists who are coming in and utilizing the space and know about it and eventually become part of it."

Mullane said he believes LOOP fills a valuable need in the community, not only by offering studio spaces after many area artists were displaced for their studios after the Ward Bakery building was sold in 2024.

"They (the artists) have become really good at working with each other," he said. "You have some very experienced artists, like Ed Hallahan, for instance, who's been around for a long time, and you've got young artists watching them. They critique each other's work or help each other understand how you get into art shows and introduce each other to their contacts. It's really fruitful."

Those kinds of interactions are more important as the traditional paths for artists are changing. Musicians no longer need expensive studios to record and release music. Some recent successful films were made by directors who got their start, not in film school, but by posting short videos on YouTube.

Those changes are coming for those who pursue fine art, Mullane said.

"When you look at the art schools now, especially in this region with the exception of maybe Kent State, they're very focused on career," he said. "Graphic design goes over to business. Things are connected to advertising or public relations, and there's nothing wrong with that. But when it comes to pure ceramics or painting or drawing, those programs -- either because of low enrollment or predisposition as to how it contributes to the overall bottom line of a university -- those things are disappearing.

"People who came up through the old system and young people are getting together, and you're developing what was the 19th century model of working with or in the environs of a master and learning your trade that way."

If you go …

WHAT: Artists of the LOOP exhibition

WHEN: Saturday through Nov. 5 with opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

WHERE: Trumbull Art Gallery, 158 N. Park Ave., Warren

HOW MUCH: Admission is free. For more information, go to www.trumbullartgallery.com or call 330-395-4876.