McDonough Museum’s summer slate to begin with four exhibits by guest artists

YSU’s McDonough Museum of Art will begin its summer slate of events with four exhibits by visiting guest artists beginning Friday, May 30, through Saturday, July 19.

Jason Van Hoose, a landscape artist currently based in Youngstown, will present “Time, The Earth and The Dream – A Retrospective.” His artistic vision is rooted in the rural landscapes of the small, western Pennsylvania steel town of his childhood. Influenced by the Regionalist School, the Hudson River School, and popular imagery and science fiction illustrations from the 19th and 20th centuries, respectively, his paintings are found in corporate and private collections throughout the United States.

Van Hoose currently serves as gallery manager at the Lemon Grove Gallery in downtown Youngstown and is the creator of the popular Facebook page, Youngstown Archeology.

Jeffrey S. Piper, who will present “col·lo·cate,” is a multi-disciplinary artist with a passion for both teaching and creating. Though his primary focus is painting, he works in multiple mediums, including ceramics, often employing a mixed-media approach in his artwork. Currently an art teacher at Lakeview High School, Piper has also begun adjunct teaching at the university level for institutions such as Mount Union University, Eastern Gateway Community College, and YSU.

Piper was the first graduate student to earn a Master of Art Education degree from YSU, specializing in studio painting. His work is featured in numerous prestigious local and national exhibitions, including at The Butler Institute of American Art, The Hoyt, The Soap Gallery, Gallery 29, the Mac Worthington Gallery, and the Beta Gallery.

The third exhibition to be presented by the McDonough will be Mike Egan’s “Built By Death.” As a shy child born outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Egan found that art helped give him a voice. He studied fine art at Edinboro University, focusing on printmaking. After finishing school and without the supplies needed to continue creating prints, he turned to painting as his medium, allowing the linework and bold graphic quality of woodblock printing to influence his art.

Egan eventually attended mortuary school, finding a job as an embalmer while continuing to hone his painting skills. His style of bold lines and dark imagery is influenced by his past printmaking as well as an appreciation of traditional tattooing.

Inspiring Minds, a nonprofit organization that engages and empowers youth with afterschool and summer programs, will present the final exhibition in this group. Focusing on five areas of impact—education, college and career readiness, exposure to new experiences, health and wellness, and personal development—Inspiring Minds has partnered with the McDonough to encourage creativity and enhance the participants’ arts education.

An opening reception for these exhibits will be held Friday, May 30, at the museum from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Entry to the reception and exhibits is free and open to the public. Parking is available in the Wick Avenue Deck (M30) for a $5 fee payable in cash only.

The McDonough Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.