The Butler Institute of American Art is offering an early weekend escape from the winter blues as it will be among several venues hosting the February First Fridays Youngstown event.

 On February 7, 2025, from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM, the evening, themed "Date with an Artist," offers attendees the opportunity to engage with art through guided and self-guided tours of the museum’s current exhibitions.  Visitors can also express their appreciation for specific works by placing cutout hearts next to their favorites.

The Butler’s featured exhibitions include the Black History Month Exhibition: Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. “The Art is on the Wall, Not the Posters,” the 85th Area Artist Annual Exhibition, Charlee Brodsky's "The Audacity of the Mundane," and the Pastel Society of America's 52nd Annual Exhibition- "Enduring Brilliance!"  Art activities during the event will connect with the Sally Weber & Craig Newswanger “Entangled Attraction” light installation, the Charlee Brodsky photography exhibition, and the Black History Month exhibition.

Live art creation will be presented by artist Daniel Rauschenbach.  Music will be provided by violinist Erick Ramos and pianist Aaron White.

In addition to the Butler event, other venues will participate on Friday. The McDonough Museum of Art will be open until 4:00 PM, showcasing their Spring Exhibitions, including Julia Betts | The Dams are Broken, Anna Chapman | Underworld/Otherworld, Emerging Artist Abby Cipar | Sometime, Somehow, For You, Will Hutnick | QUEER HORIZONS, and Sidney Mullis | Caught Skies and Pillowed Pines (Black Forest). The Solomon Gallery at Cliffe College’s Department of Art will be open until 7:30 PM, featuring the Black History Month Exhibition: Crystal Miller- Adornment.  The Ward Beecher Planetarium will conclude the evening with the “We are Stars” planetarium show from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

All First Friday events are free and open to the public.