Submitted photo “Images of Youngstown Past — The Central Square Era • 1926-1964” is the latest work by Austintown artist Bob Barko Jr.

Bob Barko Jr.’s new artwork, “Images of Youngstown Past — The Central Square Era • 1926-1964” is scheduled to debut for public sale at the Summer Festival of the Arts at Youngstown State University on July 11 and 12.

Since 1996, Barko has been creating pieces of Youngstown-themed fine graphic artwork. Over the past 30 years, his catalog has grown from a single short-run print in honor of Youngstown’s bicentennial to many works celebrating the city. To mark 30 years of his Youngstown-themed art, the 230th anniversary of Youngstown and the 250th birthday of the United States, he is launching a new series of pieces titled “Images of Youngstown Past.”

The inaugural piece in this series focuses on the heart of downtown Youngstown at the height of its historic glory. This new piece of artwork is a 16-inch-by-12-inch limited-edition print using a four-color process with a gloss Aquas flood coat on 100-pound white gloss cover stock.

The original color pencil and ink illustration featured in this piece was drawn on a hot-press illustration board, taking about two months to complete, while working from a collection of historic photographs, postcard reproductions and modern digital photography. The artwork features the iconic architecture of the city’s Central Square, including skyscrapers that grace the skyline today and the buildings of our past, gone but not forgotten. The run is limited to 125 prints, at $20 each.

“If Youngstown’s Central Square lives in your memory, there is something in this artwork for you… The Dollar and Union National Bank buildings; the Stambaugh, Realty and Mahoning Bank buildings; the Palace Theater, the Tod Hotel and the Central Tower,” Barko said. “Plus, the Man on the Monument and the Public Library downtown branch as well as insets of McCrory’s, the Strand Theater and the Central Square Isaly’s. It’s all here to bring back an era that lives on today in the hearts of Youngstowners everywhere.”

For more information about Steel Town Studios, Barko’s fine graphic artwork, upcoming community show schedule and the studio’s Virtual Storefront, call Barko at 330-881-5819 or go to www.steeltownstudios.com.