Getting to know Youngstown’s art expert, Lou Zona
In 1981, Youngstown State University professor Louis Zona became executive director of The Butler Institute of American Art.
He’s held this title for over 40 years.
When you have the opportunity to meet Zona, he’ll probably show you his many framed photos of him smiling proudly with celebrity artists, such as Alan Bean, the fourth man on the moon.
“But he’d tell you he was the first artist on the moon,” Zona said.
What brought Louis Zona to The Butler Institute of American Art?
The art professor from New Castle, Pa., graduated in 1966 from YSU and received his doctorate at Carnegie Mellon University.
He brought twentieth-century art classes to the YSU Department of Art, specializing in painting for ten years before transitioning to the Butler on campus.
“The Butler is the first building that was created to house American art collection in the country,” Zona said. “We’re surrounded by the campus, and it is a blessing. Especially in terms of the security that they are offering students, and they look after us as well.”
What’s next for the Butler Institute of American Art.?
He’s focused on modernization and raising funds to keep the museum admission free.
“We’ve seen a lot of changes. The collection was always nice here, but the facilities were not always that great,” Zona said. “We put in an air conditioning system, new lighting system, surfaces, started different kinds of programs and educational programs. Then we’ve also added to the collection, brought some work aboard which seemed to fit us like a Norman Rockwell portrait of Abraham Lincoln.”
Current events at the museum include the 87th National Midyear Exhibition on display until Aug. 20 and the upcoming “Paul Stanley: The Other Side,” opening Aug. 13 at the Butler.
“I’m the medium between the Board of Trustees, which is about 30 people who set the policies and I execute their policies, so it’s challenging. But, you know, if you love what you do, it’s like not working,” said Zona.
His favorite memories include meeting celebrity artists and actors who have had exhibits at the Butler, like Peter Falk and Al Hirschfield, and being invited to the Rose Garden by Barbara Bush and featured on the Today Show.
Visit the museum to check out the Norman Rockwell painting of Abraham Lincoln and a 98-piece kinetic art collection given to the Butler by the David W. Bermant Foundation.
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This story was originally published July 7, 2023 at 3:40 PM.