By SEAN BARRON

Correspondent

LIBERTY — When it comes to an interest in art, Karter Alexander Thompson is neither limiting nor restricting himself on the vast canvas of possibilities.

“I like a little bit of everything,” Karter, a Liberty High School freshman, said.

That general assessment also goes a long way in describing the setting, context and theme for which some of his artwork was a part. That’s because several of his works were on display for the third annual Taste of Liberty fundraiser Saturday at Liberty High School.

The packed 90-minute gathering gave attendees an opportunity to sample a little bit of everything from 13 vendors, many of which were local restaurants, who had brought everything from pizza to pasta to protein shake samples.

Proceeds are to benefit the Liberty Local School District.

Money raised during previous such gatherings has been used to help fund a new sound system for the football stadium and additional playground equipment, along with smaller items such as new books for classrooms, Elaine Jacobs, the Liberty Alumni Association’s president, noted. It was hoped Saturday’s Taste of Liberty would generate at least $4,000, she said.

Karter had five pieces of art hung during the gathering, including one with a first-place ribbon affixed, titled “Hair is your Crown,” which he created with acrylic paint and oil pastels outlined with pencil in three or four days. Serving as its inspiration was the American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, who rose to fame in the New York City art world in the 1980s with his works that fused graffiti and Abstract Expressionism.

Another source of inspiration for Karter is his art teacher, Sarah Frank, who has taught 14 years at the school.

Meleinah West, 15, who’s also a Liberty High ninth-grader, had three submissions for the Taste of Liberty — one of which earned first place and the others with third-place honors. One of her works was a piece of scratch art, Meleinah said.

In addition to the obvious food, another key part of the festivities was music. That’s where several students, including Vincent Ferrara, came in.

“I felt like my personality matched it. It’s loud and known by people, plus it’s brass, and I like brass,” Vincent, a William S. Guy Middle School seventh-grader, explained about his burgeoning interest in taking private lessons and playing the trumpet.

Vincent put some of that confidence to the test via playing a solo piece called “Enchanted Swing,” a Disney-related tune by KaGeE Swing Club. Several other middle and high school students played solos or as part of small ensembles.

“Our goal is to create a safe space for the community, with high expectations, and help people with their mindsets and health and wellness,” Dana Hughes said about the driving philosophy behind Liberty Nutrition, a business she opened two years ago on Belmont Avenue. “We offer health-and-wellness coaching, like a healthy cafe with a gym in back.”

As one of the Taste of Liberty’s vendors, Hughes and Carmen Makar, a trainer for the business, were offering samples of high-protein shakes, along with aloe water and macro-friendly baked goods.

Hughes, a former elementary school teacher, said she loves to educate her customers regarding their mental well-being while providing healthier alternatives for them — especially in a society in which stress and anxiety are pervasive among many.

Saturday’s Taste of Liberty was valuable also because it opened the door for the community to see more closely what the district has to offer. In addition, it provided an opportunity for local businesses to generate greater exposure, Superintendent Brian Knight said.

Also, the district partnered with Students Motivated by the Arts in Youngstown that included a shadow puppet skit, added.

“I give a shout-out to the students who showcase their talents through art and music,” Knight said. “It shows how powerful those programs can be.”