BOARDMAN — A sunflower-themed art sale today at Davis Family YMCA will benefit YMCA Ukraine, which operates in 26 Ukrainian cities.

The art sale features all mediums, and pieces that are realistic, expressionist or abstract.

Proceeds from this fundraiser, called “Sunflowers for Ukraine,” will get to the YMCA Ukraine in cities that include war-torn Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv and Odessa.

The Davis Family YMCA is at 45 McClurg Road.

Putting on the fundraiser is Suzanne Gray, the Davis Family Y’s art director. While she is well known for her various art shows at the YMCA, she has several personal reasons for getting involved with raising money.

One is those 26 YMCAs in Ukraine now are trying to help people there, and the local effort creates a link to ensure help arrives.

“One-hundred percent of the money raised will go to YMCA Ukraine,” Gray said. “Because we are able to work through YMCA International, we know the money will be going directly to areas in need.”

A second reason Gray cites for the art sale is her strong ties to Ukraine.

“My paternal grandparents emigrated from Ukraine, and we still have cousins living in Kharkiv,” she said. “Also, my boss at the Y adopted a baby from Ukraine about 20 years ago. With many artists in the area looking for a way to donate, it seemed logical to have a fundraiser here.”

Gray was able to meet her cousin, Boris Zayshlyy, about 20 years ago. She was taking part in a mission trip to several Russian orphanages in Petersburg. When Zayshlyy learned she was coming, he spent 22 hours on a train to travel to Petersburg to meet and surprise her. Since then, he has stayed in touch.

When Russian forces attacked Ukraine, Zayshlyy said he was fortunate enough to send his wife and daughter to another cousin in Germany.

Zayshlyy sent Gray photos from the city of Kharkiv, showing some of the devastation. Gray also pulled out a photo from 2021 that her cousin’s family took of a beautiful sunflower field located near a lake in Kharkiv. Ukraine is one of the largest growers / exporters of sunflowers in the world. The photo clearly showed the abundance of sunflowers around Kharkiv.

“He said that area is now littered with shell casings, debris and craters,” Gray said.

Because the sunflowers are the national flower of Ukraine, Gray thought it would be the proper subject matter for a themed art show and sale.

The fundraiser kicks off today with an open house from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Gray said the fundraiser will continue as long as art pieces keep coming in. As of early last week, Gray had received five dozen art pieces, with more promised.

“Each piece will be priced,” Gray said. “Some will be a few dollars, others in the hundreds depending on size, quality, and artist’s name recognition.”

She said anyone interested in donating to the cause should label their art with name, title, medium, and suggested price on the back. Works may be dropped off at the Davis Y front desk at any time after today.

The public is invited to purchase art at any time during regular YMCA hours. Pieces do not have to be framed, but must have a wire, sawtooth, or Command strips on the back.

For more information on the program, email Suzanne Gray at sgray@youngstownymca.org

“We are also in the process of working with the YWCA to increase the scope of awareness,” Gray said.

jtwhitehouse@vindy.com