WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren OhioAmerican art auction to benefit the Butler Institute of American Art

American art auction to benefit the Butler Institute of American Art

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - American art took center stage in Youngstown Friday night.

The Butler Institute of American Art auctioned off pieces by nationally-known artists and regional talent to benefit the museum.

The Butler does not charge admission to visitors, so they're raising money to fund its operations.

Dr. Louis Zona, Director of The Butler Institute of American Art Director, said, "The Butler will use these funds to take care of the Butler's permanent collection. When we house works of art we have to store them in acid free material so these things are expensive, but we're also going to use some of the funds for free community programs."

Artists donated prints, drawings, photographs, and major paintings to help the museum.

Some local artists like Mary Kay D'Isa gave works to the Butler.

Zona says a few years ago they raised nearly $50,000 dollars and they hoped to reach that amount again Friday.