Youngstown Radio Readers celebrate ‘Hands-on day’ at Butler Institute of Art
Members of Goodwill’s Youngstown Radio Reading Service enjoyed a special exhibit Wednesday at The Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown.
The exhibit, titled “Hands On! The Sculpture of Michael Naranjo” allows those who are visually impaired the opportunity to feel the art on display.
“I’m really impressed with the Butler Art Museum and Joy Mistovich in getting artists who are blind so that their work can be displayed for people who are blind,” said Mike Bosela, a visually impaired part-time employee and former director with YRRS. “I’m really intrigued, and it’s exciting to find out. We’re all going to have different opinions, and we’re going to have programs about it for our radio reading service.”
Mistovich is the assistant education director with Butler Institute, as well as a member of Goodwill’s board of directors.
Otho Mae Braziel, another visually impaired employee of YRRS, said this was her first trip to the museum since she was a student at Youngstown State University.
“It was a beautiful experience at that time when I was able to see,” she said. “Because I did see some things, when they explain to me what I’m feeling, it’ll come to a picture for me. I think this is something everyone was looking forward to.”
About “Hands On! The Sculpture of Michael Naranjo”
The sculptures are on display through Sept. 22 at the Butler Institute of American Art at YSU.
Naranjo is Native American; he was blinded by war and left with one hand with which to create art.
He has carved out sculptures for decades solely with his left hand.
His bronze works include Earth, Fire and Wind, Catherine’s Hands, Migraine, Geronimo and Daydream.
Visit the Butler for free from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon - 4 p.m. Sunday at 524 Wick Ave. in Youngstown.
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This story was originally published September 12, 2024 at 12:29 PM.