By VIRGINIA SHANK
Tribune Chronicle
Rebecca Miller said there's just something extra special about attending a craft show at a museum. Miller, 13, of Austintown, explained that she typically enjoys looking at various arts and crafts displayed at local craft shows. On Sunday, she also had an opportunity to view the paintings and other artwork at the Butler Institute of American Art.
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The art museum, on Wick Avenue in downtown Youngstown, held its 42nd annual American Holiday Fine Arts & Crafts Show Saturday and Sunday.
Sunday marked Miller's first time at the show. She attended the event with her mom, Lisa.
"It's just really classy here," said the 13-year-old. "The art's so beautiful and everything's just so nice. It's all very special."
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Virginia Shank / Tribune Chronicle
Natasha Rantilla, 12, of Cortland, far left, examines a piece of jewelry crafted by Nancy A. Habel of McMurray, center, as her grandmother, MiMi Rantilla of Hartford, looks on during the annual craft show Sunday at the Butler Institute of American Art.
The event featured dozens of vendors who displayed and sold a variety of works ranging from photographs and paintings, to jewelry and glassware. Live performances by area musicians and dancers were also featured. Food vendors were on hand, as were bakers and candymakers.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Butler's free education programs.
"It's the atmosphere that really makes it," said Natasha Rantilla, 12, of Cortland. She and her grandmother, MiMi Rantilla of Hartford, spent several minutes examining jewelry created by Nancy Habel of McMurray, Pa.
"Everything is so nice," Natasha Rantilla said. "It's so elegant. It makes you feel special to be here."
Mary Maendel, a face painter from Alliance, said the Butler show is one of the most enjoyable ones she attends.
"It's the one time of the year that I can say I display my artwork at the Butler," she said with a chuckle. "You can see it everywhere as the kids walk around the museum with their faces painted. I can't beat that."
Like Maendel, Marilyn Thomas of Sharpsville, Pa., said the atmosphere at the museum provides a nice backdrop for setting the mood for the holiday season.
"It really is a great show," said Thomas, who creates small figures from clay. "I go to a lot of shows but this is a really nice one because it feels like Christmas. It feels like the holidays. It's a really enjoyable time."