The following listings include educational and cultural events at Youngstown State University, local art museums and branches of the Warren and Youngstown public libraries. Consult the Metro Monthly calendar for other cultural events.
Ongoing: Celebrating Black History Month with Art. Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Michael Kusalaba Library, Youngstown. Each week, participants will learn about and make a craft for a featured African-American historical figure. For children of all ages. Occurs during Library hours in February.
Ongoing: Black History Month Scavenger Hunt. Austintown Lirbary. Learn about famous African Americans by searching the Library for three objects that represent famous athletes, entertainers, and innovators. One selected winner will receive a gift card. For children of all ages. During Library hours in February.
Ongoing: Grab & Go Craft: Celebrate Black History Month. East and Newport Library branches. Make a craft to take home. Children of all ages. During Library hours in February.
Southern Roots: The Paintings of Winfred Rembert Exhibition. Butler Museum of American Art, 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44502. 330-743-1107. This traveling exhibit of carved and dyed-leather works by Winfred Rembert creates a vibrant, rhythmic imagery of the African-American artist’s life in 1950s-’60s Georgia. Featuring 29 works, including the premiere of several recent paintings by Rembert, the exhibit predominantly depicts the grueling task of cotton picking that the artist endured in childhood and later while on a prison chain gang. Rembert learned to work leather while serving seven years in state prison, following an arrest from a 1960s civil rights protest, a jail escape and near lynching. Years later, he turned his leather-tooling skill to the creation of art as an outlet for the traumas of his life in the South. Now through Feb. 17.
Resilience: Surviving the Middle Passage Seeking to Live a Privileged Life. Jenne Glover’s mixed-media collages illustrate the African experience on its way to the New World. Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts. 124 E. Leasure Ave., New Castle 16101. 724-652-2882. Through March 28.
Special Screening: All Me: The Life and Times of Winfred Rembert. Zona Auditorium, Beecher Center, Butler Museum of American Art, 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44502. 330-743-1107. Presented in conjunction with “Southern Roots: The Paintings of Winfred Rembert Exhibition.” 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 3.
Justin Coleman: Artist Lecture and Opening Reception. McDonough Museum of Art, YSU, 525 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44555; and the Judith Rae Solomon Gallery, Bliss Hall, YSU, Wick Avenue at Spring Street, Youngstown 44555. ysu.edu… For more information, contact Dr. Samuel Adu-Poku at 330-941-1866. Justin Coleman is assistant professor of Studio Art at Denison University, and a practicing artist working in sculpture and ceramics. Coleman is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (BFA 05) and the University of Delaware (MFA 17). His work includes experience as an arts educator, professional studio assistant, and a practicing artist. His work has been shown in galleries and exhibitions, including the Occupy Museums “Debtfair” show at the 2017 Whitney Biennial. He most recently created an installation for the 2018 Brickscape Residency and is the recipient of a 2018 individual artist grant from The Pittsburgh Foundation. The exhibition occurs from Feb. 4-28. Coleman’s exhibition will include a lecture from 5-6:15 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 4 at the McDonough Museum of Art. An opening reception follows from 6:15-7 p.m. at the Judith Rae Solomon Gallery in Bliss Hall. 5-7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 4.
Step Afrika! Chestnut Room, first floor, Kilcawley Center, YSU, One University Plaza at Elm Street, Youngstown 44555. For more information, contact Ahjah Johnson, 330-941-3582. Step Afrika! was founded in 1994 as the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of “stepping.” It now ranks as one of the top 10 African-American dance companies in the United States. 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 12.
Sogbety Diomande, African Drummer and Dancer. Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, Main Library, 444 Mahoning Ave., N.W., Warren 44483. For more information, call 330-399-8807. The Warren-Trumbull County Public Library will present Diomande, a professional drummer and dancer, who will provide an interactive program featuring drumming and dance of West African culture. 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16.
Black History Month Author Meet and Greet: Nic Stone. Newport Library, 3730 Market St., Youngstown 44507. For more information, call 330-744-8636, ext. 50063 or 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org…. Stone is a New York Times best-selling author. She is the author of “Dear Martin” and “Odd One Out.” She has also worked with students involved with the local Project Lit. She will discuss her works, sign books, and have a question-and-answer segment. 10-11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 19.
Black History Month Author Meet and Greet: Nic Stone. Campbell High School Auditorium (enter through D’Amato Field House), 2002 Community Circle, Campbell 44405. For more information, call 330-744-8636, ext. 50063. Stone is a New York Times best-selling author. She is the author of “Dear Martin” and “Odd One Out.” She will discuss her works, sign books, and have a question-and-answer segment. 1-2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 19.
Black History Month Presents Movie Night: Green Book. Cafaro House, Madison Avenue at Elm Street, YSU, Youngstown 44555. For more information, contact Ahjah Johnson at 330-941-3582 or Ani Solomon at 330-941-1692. When Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen), a bouncer from an Italian-American neighborhood in the Bronx, is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), a world-class black pianist, on a concert tour from Manhattan to the Deep South, they must rely on “The Green Book” to guide them to the few establishments that were then safe for African-Americans. 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 21.
Youngstown Harambee Dancers. Main Library, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44503. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org…. This family event features a performance by the Harambee Dancers. 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 23.
I Am Not Your Negro – A Celebration of James Baldwin. East Branch, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, 430 Early Road, Youngstown 44505. 330-941-2333. This event features a celebration of James Baldwin, American novelist and social critic. There will be a showing of the documentary, “I Am Not Your Negro,” 2016 award winning film directed by Raoul Peck, based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript, “Remember This House.” Narrated by actor Samuel L. Jackson, the film explores the history of racism in the United States through Baldwin’s reminiscences of civil rights leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as his personal observations of American history. There will also be a book discussion of “I Am Not Your Negro” following the film. Sponsored by the YSU Black Alumni Chapter. Seating is limited seating. To reserve a space or for more information, contact Arlene Floyd at 330-941-2333. 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23.
Storytelling in the African American Oral Tradition. Tyler History Center, 325 W. Federal St., Youngstown 44503. 330-743-2589. For more information, contact Traci Manning at
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…. This free event will explore African-American history and culture through song, poetry, and spoken word with Jocelyn and Robert Dabney, Jocelyn is a storyteller, actress, and retired high school librarian from Youngstown. She performs with her husband, Robert, who accompanies her with singing and lively drumming. They are charter members of the Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers and members of the National Association of Black Storytellers. Free adjacent parking is available at the Tyler History Center. 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 26.
Compiled from local reports.
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