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New Butler exhibit honors Clyde Singer’s art

By Mahoning Matters staff
Youngstown artist Clyde Singer painted this self-portrait. His artwork is featured in a new exhibit at the Butler Institute of American Art. (Contributed by Butler Institute of American Art)
Youngstown artist Clyde Singer painted this self-portrait. His artwork is featured in a new exhibit at the Butler Institute of American Art. (Contributed by Butler Institute of American Art)

YOUNGSTOWN — The Butler Institute of American Art has created a new exhibition honoring the city's beloved artist Clyde Singer.

"Clyde Singer's World!" is curated from the Butler Permanent Collection and opens Sunday.

Singer, a Social Realist artist, was Youngstown's expert on the art world for much of the 20th century. The artist, who for many years wrote a weekly art column for The Youngstown Vindicator, died in 1999.

He was born in 1908 and grew up in Malvern in nearby Carroll County.

Singer was educated at the Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts, then received a scholarship in 1933 to the Arts Students' League in New York where his mentors included Thomas Hart Benton and John Steuart Curry.

Singer's early works focused on rural and small town life in Ohio, using oils and watercolors. Later, he painted contemporary urban life scenes.

Singer created more than 3,000 works and was well known for his American Scene paintings.

For the Butler Institute of American Art, he served as associate director and curator of the Permanent Collection for decades.

From 1940–81, Singer worked closely and shared an office with museum director Joseph Butler III. He then worked alongside Dr. Lou Zona, Butler's successor and the current museum director.

The museum at 524 Wick Ave. is open to visitors Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.

This story was originally published September 26, 2020 at 1:10 PM with the headline "New Butler exhibit honors Clyde Singer’s art."