McDonough Museum marks 30th with event on Oct. 16

Visit the website of Gwathmey Siegel & Associates, the internationally-acclaimed architectural firm, and there, right next to the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the New York Public Library and Guggenheim Museum, is Youngstown State University’s own John J. McDonough Museum of Art.

For 30 years, the museum, built on a sharply sloped site and featuring a spiral staircase and a slew of windows and skylights for an abundance of natural light, has provided a bit of modern architecture swagger to Wick Avenue.

To celebrate its three decades, the museum is hosting a virtual celebration fundraiser 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, that will include art, music, an online auction (available Oct. 16-18) and a shareable swag bag. 

The museum, dedicated on Oct. 26, 1991, was made possible by the generosity of local physician and avid art collector Dr. John J. McDonough. McDonough provided seed money for the museum by selling the painting, “Gloucester Harbor” by Childe Hassam, for just over $1 million. Youngtown architect Paul J. Ricciuti is credited with recruiting Gwathmey Siegel for the design.

The 30th anniversary celebration on Oct. 16 begins with a music performance by Kent J. Englehardt, a faculty member in YSU’s Dana School of Music, featuring Dana jazz playing in the McDonough galleries surrounded by the paintings of local legend Al Bright, who was renowned for his painting performances to live jazz music. 

Guests will also have an opportunity to bid on a variety of items in an online auction, including artworks from talented and generous local artists.

E-tickets are $60 and include a link for the performance and a swag bag that can be shared with a friend. Purchase tickets here.