The Butler Institute of American Art

06/02/2026

If you’ve visited the Butler recently, you may have noticed a striking addition in A Spark of Genius.

Barkley L. Hendricks’ celebrated painting “Tequila” is back home at the Butler after traveling over the past two years to exhibitions at Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, and Crocker Art Museum.

Now on view in A Spark of Genius, this iconic work welcomes visitors back with the bold presence and style that made it standout wherever it traveled.

Don’t miss your chance to see Tequila in person — the exhibition has been extended through July 19 in Davis Gallery.
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Barkley Leonard Hendricks, “Tequila,” 1978, Acrylic on canvas, Museum purchase 1980.

06/01/2026

LAST CHANCE—Accessible Expressions Ohio Exhibition is on view through June 7th 💫

The only annual state-wide arts event for disabled artists from youth to professional artists, celebrating talented artists from an array of backgrounds and skill sets.

We are thrilled to be awarded the Arts Partners in Accessibility from ❤️ for this exhibition we offer accessible labels in braille, audio descriptions, tactile artwork, and had an ASL interpreter for opening day.

We had on site so visitors could make their own “Flags for Health and Healing.” We rocked out to an awesome performance from The Feral Cats. And finally, ended the celebration with an awards ceremony.

Come see this exhibition before it travels to the next location ✨

05/30/2026

Happy ONE YEAR to 🎉 ⭐️

We are so proud to have you inside with us. You have truly transformed this space into a gathering place for the community, serving some amazing food and coffee. You offer visitors a place to rest and refuel, a place for students to study, a place for museum staff to take a break and share some laughs, and most of all—you add such a wonderful vibrancy to the museum setting.

Thank you to your incredible team for the care, creativity, and hospitality you bring each day. It has been a joy to watch this partnership grow and to see the connections you’ve helped foster within our museum community.

Cheers to many more! ☕️

05/29/2026

A new chapter is beginning ✨

Following a national search process, The Butler Institute of American Art has named Anastasia James its new executive director.

05/29/2026

Big news! 📣🏛️

The Butler Institute of American Art has named Anastasia James as its new executive director for the museum.

05/28/2026

Have you stopped by to see our America 250 exhibition? 💙🇺🇸

05/27/2026

☀️June Art Classes—now open for registration!
 
Discover new artistic endeavors at the Butler this summer. Remember our Sacred Landmarks exhibition by Lisa Frederick? She is teaching a special photography class exploring compositions of Youngstown churches. Come paint, draw, and take photographs with us!
 
🔗 Visit butlerart.com/programs for detailed class descriptions

📋 Reserve your spot today
Call: 330-743-1107 ext. 1155
Email: [email protected]
 

05/26/2026

📣 EXHIBITION EXTENDED — A Spark of Genius: Legacy & Lineage, African American Art from the Butler is now on view through July 19th.
 
Curated by Dr. Dee Banks and drawn from the museum’s permanent collection, the exhibition highlights historic and postwar American artwork from the Black perspective.
 
As we continue celebrating the impact of this exhibition, we’re also reflecting on the inspiring engagement from our Black History Month opening events. Visitors had the opportunity to learn from “Young Docents” representing Rayen Early College, Youngstown Community School, and Canfield middle & high school students, who completed a docent training program and shared their insights on works throughout the exhibition.
 
Thank you to these students for helping create meaningful conversations and connections through art. There’s still time to experience this powerful exhibition for yourself ✨
 

05/25/2026

Today we remember the courage, sacrifice, and service of the men and women who gave their lives for our country 🇺🇸

This Memorial Day, the Butler Institute of American Art reflects on Lee Teter’s powerful lithograph “Reflections,” an image that has become a lasting tribute to the experience and memory of Vietnam veterans. The work captures a quiet, emotional moment of remembrance at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, connecting past and present through reflection, honor, and sacrifice.

After Teter gave the copyright of “Reflections” to Vietnam Veterans of America, reproductions of the work have been sold to help raise funds and support programs serving veterans and their families.
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Lee Teter, “Reflections,” Offset Lithograph, 18x25 ½”, Gift of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., Chapter 172, 1992.

05/24/2026

✨ARTIST SPOTLIGHT — Danny Simmons
 
For more than four decades, Danny Simmons has created powerful paintings, works on paper, and assemblages inspired by the spirit and visual language of Indigenous and African cultures. As the founder of Neo-African Abstract Expressionism, Simmons reclaims traditional African motifs through layered textures, dots, textiles, and tribal markings that speak to history, identity, and cultural memory.
 
Beyond his studio practice, Simmons is also an author, poet, philanthropist, curator, co-creator of Def Poetry Jam, and co-founder of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation.
 
Experience Danny Simmons: “Visual Expressions” on view through June 28 in Segall Gallery.