Guest artist Steve Ehret to present as part of Department of Art Lecture Series

September 11, 2026

YSU’s Department of Art will welcome guest artist Steve Ehret to campus as he presents as part of the Department of Art Lecture Series Wednesday, September 16, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM at the McDonough Museum of Art.  

Ehret (“Monster Steve”) makes careful observations of moss spreading over fallen trees, or the way Terry talks to his lonely neighbor. He takes mental notes, snapshots of these scenes that can often inspire the phantasmal settings of his paintings.

Characters or beings of all shapes and sizes pop up often just to interact or hang within these places. On varying surfaces, he often breaks apart these settings in a way that speaks to the randomness of each passing mile. His goal is not realism, but rather a sense of gravity, atmosphere, wonder, nostalgia, grief and the humor in it all.

Ehret enjoys digging for the magic in the small moments. The throw aways. Whether working in oils, mixed media, or on a mural project, his pieces can almost be viewed as an escape from everyday life—but underneath it all, there we are.

Ehret will also host a mural workshop September 16 at Bliss Hall beginning at 1:30 PM.

Entry to these events is free and open to the public. Parking is available at the Wick Avenue Deck (M30) for a $5 fee payable in cash only.