The West Room, Butler Institute of American Art

Dear Gentle Readers,
     Yesterday was a beautiful day for a day trip, so we went to the Butler Institute of American Art on Wick Ave. in Youngstown, Ohio.  The Butler is never the same place twice.  I look forward to seeing my old favorites, but am always finding something new to admire.  Yesterday I found some delightful pastel nature paintings by actress Kim Novak and my husband, being a woodcarver himself, was really impressed with the Carousel Horse room.

     Above is a photo of the dear overworked and under-appreciated man in my life at the Butler.  He is perusing the Indian Chiefs in the West Room, Exploring the American West.  The layout and colors are fantastic.  The collection has never been displayed so perfectly. 







 This gallery on the American West is fabulous. They are not quite finished displaying the woven rugs yet, as it is just settling in to its new home on the second floor and it accessible through the new glass SKYWALK.  If you haven't been to the Butler lately, you haven't been to the Butler!
     

This is just one piece of the Navajo woven collection, beautifully flanked by portraits of the early chiefs and  the plexiglass box of handwoven baskets . 

There's more to see at the Butler than George Washington's wedding portrait and the famous Winslow Homer's Crack the Whip!

The Portraits of the West Collection is stunning and worth the trip.

The Butler Institute of American Art was the first museum dedicated exclusively to American art.  The curator is Dr. Louis A. Zona.  It was established by a local industrialist, philanthropist, avid reader, and humanitarian Joseph G. Butler.  It has been open since its dedication in 1919.  The beautiful structure is a McKim, Mead, and White design in the Second Renaissance Revival style.  It is free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 11A.M. to 4 P.M.  A docent is available for group tours.  Have coffee is Winslow's cafe and talk a look in the little gift shop.


The Butler Institute of American Art
524 Wick Ave,
Youngstown, OH
330.743.1107


References:
wikipedia
Butler Institute of American Art website
cleveland.about.com