The Butler Institute of American

Art

Visitors to Youngstown’s art museum, which Joseph G. Butler Jr. founded in 1919 as the first dedicated exclusively to American art, can now explore the Vincent and Phyllis Bacon Wing. The new exhibition space is connected to the historic museum building and named after two longtime museum supporters.

Inside the 3,810-square-foot Bacon Wing, the Bacon Grand Gallery provides a space for the display of large paintings and other works of art. In the $2 million addition designed by architect C. Robert Buchanan, visitors will see artist Pierre Soulages’ giant ceramic-tile mural, “14 May, 1968.” The 14-by-20-foot mural graces a wall facing floor-to-ceiling windows that allow sunlight to spill in and illuminate the art.

“People will love the way light is reflected,” says Louis Zona, executive director of The Butler Institute of American Art. “That’s the way the architect has designed it: directionally toward the sun.”

Along with Soulages’ work, the Bacon Grand Gallery will periodically house traveling exhibitions and pieces from the museum’s collection.

The Butler houses a permanent collection of more than 22,000 works, which is displayed across galleries that focus on the American West, sports and more. Known as the heart and soul of The Butler’s collection, Winslow Homer’s 1872 painting “Snap the Whip,” which was purchased the year the museum opened, depicts boys frolicking in front of a rural schoolhouse.

“Visitors will see one of the really great American collections with classic works that are often seen in textbooks,” Zona says. 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44502, 330/7431107, butlerart.com

More Fun

Wineries

Travelers looking for a glass of wine can go to Lowellville to relax and drink at L’uva Bella Winery. Other options include Woodland Cellars in Hubbard and D.O.P.E. Cider House and Winery in Youngstown. luvabella.com, woodlandcellars.com, dopethebrand.com

Kids Stuff

If you’re traveling with youngsters, Oh Wow! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology is a must visit. The hands-on museum includes an Earth & Weather Wow! Zone, where kids can do a TV weather report. ohwowkids.org

Live Music

Kid Rock headlines the fifth annual Y-Live concert on July 29 at Wean Park in downtown Youngstown. Other summer concerts include REO Speedwagon on June 21 and The Doobie Brothers on June 28, both at The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre. ylivemusic.com, theyoungstownfoundationamp.com