“This is Not Nostalgia: Works of James and Adrien Lucas” opens tonight with a 6-8 p.m. reception at Trumbull Art Gallery, 158 N. Park Ave., Warren. The exhibition runs through March 29.

The display features original paintings and sculptures by James Lucas, a Youngstown State University art professor who died from COVID-19 in 2020. The exhibit was co-curated by Robyn E. Maas and Adrien Lucas. James Lucas was Adrien’s father.

The exhibit celebrates Lucas’ art and is accompanied by numerous pieces of art from colleagues who worked with him at Youngstown State from the 1960s until his 1990s retirement. The exhibit also includes work from former students who were influenced by him, many of whom became close friends.

Participating artists include: Nancy Bizzarri Aleman, Mary Lou Alexander, Corinne Bishara Bako, Lynn Cardwell, Kate Ramunno Finney, Susan J. Klein, Nancy Sontich Lenhart, Maryann Limmer, Robyn E. Maas, Margo Miller, Carol Opatken, Susan Russo, Tracy Segreti, Georgia Tambasis, Karen Bizzarri Timlin, Clara K. Wick, Tony Armeni, Al Bright, Jack Carlton, Patrick Crowe, Bob LaCivita, Carl Leet, James Lepore, Russ Maddick, Richard C. Mitchell, Michael T. Moseley, Scott Pergande, James Pernotto, Redhand, Michael J. Walusis, Jason Van Hoose, and Bryn Zellers.

Lucas was known for his detailed, textured style in both paintings and artwork. Unfortunately, he destroyed much of the artwork from his lengthy career. By accident, Adrien Lucas found a box of her father’s slides, containing images from his vast history that were headed for disposal. Adrien asked if she could have the slides digitized and her father agreed. Many representations of his artwork would have been lost had he not agreed to let Adrien save the slides.

Adrien Lucas had been working in what she calls her “thread art,” which focused mainly on portraits of famous people who had died in tragic endings. The series is titled “Bad Exits.” After she found her father’s slides, Adrien was inspired to recreate pieces she had remembered from her childhood and 1990s works that had been destroyed. Adrien’s recreations are smaller and decorative.

James Lucas got to see all of Adrien’s pieces before he died. It was only recently that she completed them with a push from Maas, who co-curated the show.

“Considering that arts and music in higher institutions and public schools are under attack, under funded and being neutered in this nation, this is an art show that illustrates that art is an act that brings people together, forms lifetime communities and continues to inspire the ones left living,” said organizers in an exhibit release.

For more information about the exhibit contact William E. Mulane at 330-719-1199 or email

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Trumbull Art Gallery

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