LOOP Youngstown dedicates new arts and culture center (original) (raw)

YOUNGSTOWN — A long-held dream for local artists became a reality Sunday as LOOP Youngstown Arts & Culture officially dedicated its new home at 805 Mahoning Ave., creating a permanent space where artists can work, collaborate, teach, perform and share their talents with the community.

Sunday’s dedication ceremony welcomed visitors to tour the building, meet members of LOOP’s board and advisory council, learn about the history of the structure, and celebrate a new chapter for arts and culture in the Mahoning Valley.

The event marked a significant milestone for the nonprofit organization, which formed three years ago with a mission of supporting artists and creative programming in the region. While the name “LOOP” does not stand for any specific phrase, organizers say the organization represents connection, collaboration and the ongoing growth of the area’s creative community.

The new center arrives at an important time for local artists. Sunday’s celebration came nearly two years after the closure of the former Ward Bakery building, which had housed artist studios for decades. Its loss highlighted the need for a new creative hub in Youngstown.

Located along Mahoning Avenue, the new center joins what organizers describe as a growing arts and culture corridor that includes the Calvin Center for the Arts, Nexus Sound Studio and Hopewell Theatre.

“This feels like just the beginning of the adventure and certainly not the culmination,” said Melissa Miller, a member of LOOP’s advisory council. “We’ve gone from dreaming about what could be possible if there was a space dedicated to arts and culture in the Mahoning Valley, through the challenges of finding a place that might work, to working toward funding and finally making the purchase of a building.”

LOOP purchased the building in April after a search that took more than two years. Karen Schubert, chair of the organization, previously noted that finding the right location was a lengthy process, but members believe they have found a space perfectly suited to the community’s needs.

Miller said the organization has been encouraged by the support it has received from residents, businesses and community organizations.

“What happens at 805 Mahoning Avenue wouldn’t be possible without the community who has and continues to buoy us up with encouragement, feedback and positive vibes,” she said.

The center includes approximately 30 artist studios and is designed to provide affordable space for artists and creative businesses. Organizers envision the building serving as a gathering place where artists can create, teach classes, host workshops, present exhibitions and collaborate with one another.

Regina Rees, a LOOP board member and costumer, said about 28 artists have already committed to the building. Their work spans a wide variety of disciplines, including textiles, painting, photography and other artistic mediums.

“There will be gallery shows and other kinds of performances,” Rees said. “The aim is to give artists the opportunity to teach, to learn from master persons in their field and show their work.”

In addition to visual artists, the building also will welcome writers and collectors. Rees noted that two spaces are being used by an art collector while three others will be occupied by poets.

“This building will give artists the perfect spot to create and display their work,” she said. “The layout and location provide many opportunities for collaboration.”

The idea for LOOP emerged from a conversation among local artists concerned about diminishing opportunities for creative expression in the area.

Tony Nicholas, a photographer, educator and LOOP building manager, recalled meeting with fellow artists more than two years ago at Westside Bowl. What began as a casual gathering quickly became a discussion about cuts to arts programming and the challenges facing the local arts community.

“We were venting about how Youngstown State University was cutting classes in the art and writing programs and opportunities for artists were disappearing in Youngstown,” Nicholas said. “Especially after the closing of the Ward Bakery Building.”

Nicholas remembers expressing a desire to simply find a room where he could offer photography workshops.

“Karen answered with, ‘We should have a building, a center, where we can all do that and nurture the arts in this community,'” he said. “I told Karen, ‘You find a building and I’m all in.’ That is pretty much how this all got started.”

Nicholas believes arts centers play an important role in successful communities.

“Almost every prosperous city has an arts or cultural center,” he said. “A home for the arts to bring all that they bring to a city — education, inclusion, diversity and creativity.”

The building itself also carries a rich local history. During Sunday’s dedication, David Mirkin, president and CEO of Mirkin and Associates Inc., shared stories about his family’s connection to the property.

The building was constructed in 1946 by William Mirkin, who immigrated to the United States from Russia in the early 1900s to escape persecution during the Russo-Japanese War era. The structure originally housed Mirkin Auto Sales and remained in the family for 80 years, serving several family-operated businesses before being sold earlier this year.

As LOOP begins its next chapter, leaders are focused on fundraising, grant writing and completing improvements throughout the facility. Miller encouraged community members to continue supporting the organization by attending events such as Day in the LOOP, gallery openings, markets, classes and workshops.

She also noted that supporters can contribute financially by sponsoring studios, helping fund emerging artist fellowships or assisting with building improvements such as installing utility sinks, upgrading lighting and improving accessibility.

“I’m most grateful that we’ve found a place in the City of Youngstown that feels like we landed in just the right spot,” Miller said. “The building and location are so great for the uses the community of artists and arts patrons have told us they wanted.”

Adding momentum to the project, LOOP recently received a $5,000 donation from the Slanina Family Fund of The Youngstown Foundation to help support its mission of incubating artists and strengthening the arts throughout the Mahoning Valley.

For organizers, the dedication represented more than the opening of a building. It marked the beginning of what they hope will become a lasting investment in creativity, education and community for generations to come.