Anthony Angelilli covers his canvases with string, fabric and found and salvaged objects as well as paint.

He still considers the final result a painting rather than a mixed media work.

“I really approach them as paintings,” he said. “The materials are colors in themselves or shapes in themselves. I wanted to break away from the frame of the canvas.”

Angelilli’s “Bone, Meat and Spirit” is one of two exhibitions opening Saturday at Trumbull Art Gallery.

In his artist statement, Angelilli writes, “There is interest in a variety of subjects such as alchemy, architecture, anthropology, history and construction, but it feels impossible to ignore the fact that I am merely intrigued by the act of making.”

The Youngstown native graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Youngstown State University. While YSU professors like Dragana Crnjak were important in shaping his education, Angelilli said, he draws inspiration from unexpected sources, like David Blaine, who became popular for his street magic when Angelilli was growing up.

“What I liked the most was he got a reaction out of people,” he said. “I like the misdirection that he created … I think I try to get a reaction.”

Also opening Saturday is the Trumbull Area Artists Exhibition, which features 121 works by 35 artists.

Participating artists include Diane Beatty, Mark Cappabianco, Lori Caldwell, Scott Chopko, Cheryl Deibel, Marie Dippolito, Beth Ensign, Dennis Freet, Robert Galick, Angela Garner, Jeanie Gordon, Elaine Green, James Hardy, Jane Hogan, Kathryn Infante, Susan Jacobs, Salli Kowalski, Ron Krygowski, Carol Liebschner, Sheri Liebschner, Nancy McLean, Suzy Mikusevich, Jacki Mountan, Rebecca Nan, Karen Nelson, Jody Nudell, Lynn Parry, Mary Ellen Pilgrim, Jeff Piper, Lynne Provance, Ann Ryser, James Shuttic, Elise McKeown Skolnick, Pete Vouvounas and David Wheeler.

Both shows run through March 27 with an opening reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.