Whether you're a newbie, local, or traveler passing through the city with your family, make time to visit the stunning museum, The Butler Institute of American Art. This prestigious art institute is located inside the Youngstown State University, where you can explore the various exhibits, programs, and events to enrich your mind and appreciate beautiful art pieces.
Our team at Boardman Mitsubishi has gathered important information to help you get to know The Butler Institute of American Art on Wick Avenue in Youngstown, Ohio.
The History of The Butler Institute of American Art
Established in 1919 by Joseph G. Butler, Jr., The Butler Institute of American Art was the first museum exclusively dedicated to American art. In fact, many individuals around the globe refer to this extraordinary museum as America's Museum. Butler was a local industrialist and philanthropist. The museum focused on collecting, preserving, and displaying art created only by American citizens. Today, the museum has over 22,000 art pieces from four centuries and still growing its collection. The oldest art piece in the collection is from 1710.
A McKim, Mead, and White masterpiece, the original museum structure is constructed from Georgian marble in the Italian Renaissance Revival style. There is only one addition to the museum, the Beecher Center, which is dedicated to new media, like computers, holography, lasers, and electronic art. The Bitonte Skywalk connects the museum to the Butler North Education Center, which the museum purchased in 2006. This education center is an old First Christian Church that the museum converted, where you can look at the Americana Collection, attend art classes, and participate in other art institute programs.
Some famous artists that the art museum houses include:
- Winslow Homer.
- John Singer Sargent.
- Mary Cassatt.
- Fitz Hugh Lane.
- Georgia O'Keefe.
- Chuck Close.
The art institute is free to enter, and it's closed on Mondays and all major holidays. The hours you can visit are:
- Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
Address: 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown
Various Art Pieces and Exhibits To Explore
There are various art pieces and exhibits to explore at The Butler Institute of American Art. However, the most famous and prestigious painting in the museum is Snap the Whip by Winslow Homer. Homer is considered the greatest American artist of the 19th century. The museum is home to another iconic painting, Tragedy at Sea, by George Inness. You can also find fun pop artists' work, such as Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.
Additionally, view art pieces by social realists like Jack Levine, Ben Shahn, and Edward Hopper. Some other fascinating art scenes you can see here are the wedding depiction of George Washington and the Oakland Athletics world series win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974.
The current exhibit you can view is Mark Perrott: Billboards. It's on display from Nov. 6, 2022, to Jan. 22, 2023. At this exhibit, you can expect to find photographs of half-painted billboards from 1975 to 1990. The billboards showcase various aspects of American life, from cigarette advertisements to state Supreme Court billboards to formerly trendy velvet couches.
Tour the Art Institute
When you visit The Butler Institute of American Art, you can explore the exhibits on your own or schedule a free tour with a dedicated and educated staff member. During the tour, you'll get to see the art from a new perspective. You can also ask questions to learn more information about the artists and their pieces than what might be on the label.
To schedule a tour, you can call the museum to discuss how many people are in your party and what days you prefer. If you forget to schedule a tour and want one when you arrive, the art institute offers non-reserved tours on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from noon to 2 p.m.
After the tour, visit the museum's gift shop to pick up a souvenir to commemorate your trip or purchase a gift to bring back to a loved one. You can also visit the Fine Arts Sales Gallery. Here, you can look at and buy art from local artists to display in your home. Additionally, you can get a snack or drink from the Collections Cafe.
Attend Some of These Events and Programs
The art institute takes pride in community outreach and educating the public with free resources and educated staff members. The Butler Institute of American Art has several events and programs to attend and get to know the art more. To help accommodate as many schedules as possible, the museum has programs in the morning, afternoon, and evening. This way, everyone can enjoy the programs and art. Some types of events you can attend include:
- Art classes.
- Director's Lecture Series.
- Day camps.
- Family Days.
- Senior Art and Learn.
- Film Art.
There are several programs to enrich kids' minds, no matter their age. For example, the museum hosts a free event called Stroller Art on the first Thursday of every month except in December. This event is for infants and children up to 24 months, accompanied by their parents or guardians. Here, your young children can interact with the art through an interactive gallery tour, which helps stimulate their brains and encourages learning. Parents and guardians can enjoy tea and coffee at this event.
Now that you've become acquainted with this esteemed art institute, it's time to schedule your trip and see the art in person. Take the short 10-minute drive from Boardman, Ohio, to Youngstown, Ohio, and visit The Butler Institute of American Art. Do you have any other questions about the museum? Contact us online or give us a call at (888) 891-9049 and ask us about it.
Visit our dealership in Boardman, Ohio, to speak with our sales experts about our services. You can schedule a service ahead of time, drop your vehicle off with us, and explore the museum while you wait. Or you can explore our new and pre-owned inventory. Here at Boardman Mitsubishi, we value our customers and want to help get you the best deals when you purchase or finance your dream car with us.
Image Credits: Image via Butler Institute of American Art