Local artists help transform the Rust Belt into an Art Belt
From the Rust Belt to now an Art Belt — Youngstown is continuing to change and come back to life. Recently artists in the Valley have come together to create a thriving art community with pop up markets, art galleries and public art around town.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - From the Rust Belt to now an Art Belt — Youngstown is continuing to change and come back to life.
Recently artists in the Valley have come together to create a thriving art community with pop up markets, art galleries and public art around town.
Many artists in Youngstown say they have had dreams to share their art with the community, but just never had the place to do so.
Now those dreams have come true with three art groups in Youngstown.
“We have a history of people making a living using their hands, and so I thought it was a great way of kind of reviving interest in handmade craft,” said Melissa Smith, Rust Belt Made co-founder
Louis Zona, executive director at the Butler Institute of American Art said having art in a city is a key part to life, and if the arts are healthy, then people will be a part of the city.
“We human beings need diversions, and we need diversions that deal with things like beauty,” Zona said.
With two majors cities in about an hours distance from Youngstown, what makes these vendors stay here in the Valley?
Youngstown is our home, so we want to see our home thrive, our home grow. We want to show love for our home,” said Kevin Coppel, co-owner of Manda Made LLC. “It was exciting to come back to my hometown, and I love the atmosphere here.
“It's so close to home is the main reason. Our company is right down the road, so its a no brainer,” said Ross Converser, owner of Converser Custom Metal Design.
A no brianer to help their city thrive and watch Youngstown do well, while benefiting so many businesses.
The arts always seem to lead a revitalization,” said Tony Nicholas, executive director of Artists of the Rust Belt. “They make a city cool or whatever you want to call it, and then it brings people.”
The artists say the amount of people at every event stays steady and is even increasing.
These artists see this community starting to appreciate art.
“It's fantastic to see the level of creativity that's here in Youngstown and being able to showcase it right here in downtown,” said Curtis Petrey of Austintown.
Many of these artists sell their art as a side hobby from their full-time jobs, but so many want to continue to grow their business in hopes to sell their art completely full time.
The entire concept of these art groups is all about where these artists and Youngstown are heading.
“This isn't about what we were, what we are now, this is about what we are becoming,” said Derrick McDowell, founder of Youngstown Flea.
Because of all these artists, these three art groups continue to bring beauty to the Valley.
