John J. McDonough Museum of Art announces Summer Exhibitions

The John J. McDonough Museum of Art, Youngstown State University's Center of Contemporary Art, will open its summer schedule May 30 and run through July 19 with four exhibitions. Ronald Jason Van Hoose's Time, The Earth and The Dream-A Retrospective, Jeffrey S. Piper's col·lo·cate and Mike Egan's Built By Death and an exhibition of work from the Inspiring Minds program will be on display. An opening reception for all the exhibitions will be held 5 - 7 p.m., Friday, May 30.

A landscape artist currently based in Youngstown Ronald Jason Van Hoose’s artistic vision is rooted in the rural landscapes of the small, western Pennsylvania steel town of his childhood. A graduate of Youngstown State University's Fine Arts program, Van Hoose received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Ceramics in 1993. Influenced by the Regionalist School, the Hudson River School and 19th-century popular imagery and 20th-century Science Fiction illustration, Van Hoose’s paintings are found in corporate and private collections throughout the United States. His work has been exhibited in galleries in Columbus, Cleveland, Montreal, and New York City. In addition to his studio practice, Van Hoose serves as Gallery Manager at the Lemon Grove Gallery in downtown Youngstown and is the creator of the popular Facebook page, Youngstown Archeology.

Jeffrey S. Piper is a multi-disciplinary artist with a passion for both teaching and creating. He earned his BFA from Kent State University in 2002, with a minor in education. He currently teaches art at Lakeview High School. In 2010, Piper became the first graduate student to earn a Master of Art Education degree from Youngstown State University, specializing in studio painting. He also began adjunct teaching at the university level for various institutions including Mount Union University, Eastern Gateway Community College and Youngstown State University. Though his primary focus is painting, he works in multiple mediums, including ceramics, often employing a mixed-media approach in his artwork. Piper’s work has been featured in numerous prestigious local and national exhibitions, including at The Butler Institute of American Art, The Hoyt, The Soap Gallery, Gallery 29, The Mac Worthington Gallery, and the Beta Gallery.

Mike Egan was born outside of Pittsburgh and as a shy child found that art helped give him a voice. He studied fine art at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania focusing on printmaking and learning about artists like Jose Guadalupe Posada and the German Expressionists like Kathe Kollwitz. The linework and bold graphic quality of woodblock printing would come to influence his later painting. After finishing school and without the supplies to continue creating prints he turned to painting as his medium. Egan would eventually attend mortuary school and get a job as an embalmer. During this time, he continued to hone his painting skills. His style of bold lines and dark imagery is influenced by his past printmaking as well as an appreciation of traditional tattooing. He uses his love of religious imagery, his experiences dealing with life and death, and his love for skeletons and devils to create his unique vision.

Inspiring Minds is a nonprofit organization that engages and empowers youth with after-school and summer programs that focus on five areas of impact: education, college & career readiness, exposure to new experiences, health & wellness and personal development. The McDonough is excited to support and promote this vital community organization by featuring artwork by area students. This partnership allows the McDonough to encourage creativity and enhance the participants arts education as well as inspiring these youths to help foster a new generation of art enthusiasts.

The McDonough Museum galleries are open 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The McDonough is free and open to the public.