BOARDMAN — The 12th annual But I Know What I Like art show featured 92 artists who submitted 194 pieces, all of which will be on display at the Davis YMCA through Nov. 9.

The opening and reception took place at the YMCA on Sunday. The art show was open to amateurs and professionals within a 40-mile radius.

This year’s show was dedicated to the memory of Missy Ciminelli, longtime YMCA staffer / preschool teacher and camp coordinator. Ciminelli died last month at age 49 after a long battle with cancer. A display honoring her is the YMCA lobby showcase.

Artist Suzanne Gray of Columbiana, coordinator of this year’s event, explained the show’s title.

“Entries are judged by nonartists. Winners, who are awarded cash prizes, are determined more by what catches the judge’s eye rather than knowledge of artistic techniques,” said Gray, who is the arts and humanities coordinator, and adult painting instructor for the Davis Family YMCA.

She talked about the variety of arts and humanities classes at the YMCA, all of which are taught by professionals in their fields. A diverse lineup of visual and performance art classes are available, rounded out by several workshops and informal clubs.

Proceeds from the annual But I Know What I Like art show fund the John Patterson Art Scholarship for adults with neurological disabilities. Though never diagnosed, Gray said many believed he struggled with some form of autism.

“John had a hard time interacting with others, sometimes lived at the Rescue Mission and was sometimes homeless, but he was a longtime member of the YMCA and took many art classes. He worked on hundreds of colorful paintings. When John died, his church donated some money to the Y, which we used to start the scholarship,” Gray said.

Artist Toni Jaric of Youngstown attended the opening and talked about her Jurors’ Choice graphite pencil drawing, “Steel Gypsy,” which is based on a photograph of Steven Tyler of the rock band Aerosmith. The drawing depicts Tyler draped lovingly over his motorcycle.

Though not on display, Jaric did a color pencil caricature of metal band Twisted Sister’s front man Dee Snider. Snider signed the caricature when she presented it to him during a concert. Jaric said she has her greatest moment of satisfaction when someone else sees her art and is moved by it. “I want to give back to others what God has given me through my gift,” she stated.

Jaric is developing her skills at the Butler Institute of American Art under the tutelage of Nick Galipo of Youngstown, whose acrylic painting, “Morning Glories,” took Best of Show.

Galipo was inspired one morning to do his plein air painting when he saw his tulips in full bloom. Plein air painting is the practice of creating art outdoors, directly from life, capturing the natural light and atmosphere.

Galipo noted that he usually does not do floral paintings; he leans toward objects and science fiction themes. One of Galipo’s science fiction themed paintings now hangs in the home of “Star Trek” actor William Shatner, who he met at a science fiction convention.

“I am Fire,” another Jurors’ Choice, is the title artist Angela Garner, of Youngstown, gave her portrait of an African woman bathed in golden light with a mane of flaming hair. Garner said she usually is a referential artist, who finds her subjects outside of herself, but this painting came from her imagination.

A former NYC principal, Garner took up painting nine years ago when she retired and moved to Youngstown.

“I always want there to be soul in my art,” she said,”but it’s a challenge to get that on canvas.” She is developing her talent under the tutelage of renowned painter Chris Leeper of Canfield.

Art Outside the Lines — an art class at the Davis YMCA for those with special needs and disabilities — was represented at the show by roommates Renee Raich and Jennifer Mikovich, both of Canfield. They attend art classes together and both commented on how calming the act of painting is. Mikovich submitted two paintings to the art show, “Peter Rabbit,” and “Pippin’ Pumpkin.” Raich won an honorable mention with her painting of a whimsical portrayal of a cow in “Blue Moo.”

Other awards went to Dorothy School, Jurors’ Award for “Time Packed,” and Mary Sinclair, Jurors’ Award for “The Weight of Silence.” Merit Awards went to Diane Beatty for “The Ghost of Image,” Rebecca Hawkins for “Good Old Farmall,” Ray Laret for “Last Round Up,” and Noreen Yazac for “Standing Tall.”

Honorable Mentions went to Jeff Beebe for “Fight! Fight! Fight,” Dina Liguore for “Patina and Owl,” Megan Marstellar for “What’s Up Doc?,” Cynthia Shaun for “Golden City Under the Sea,” Crystal Schreiber for “Busted Canvas Santa,” Penelope Senyak for “Mushroom Madness, Robert Tupac for “Melody in the Key of Z,” Lana VanAuker for “Serenity in Blue,” Linda Vasconi for “Bob’s Brush” and Tom Welsh for “Nativity.”

More information about future art shows and art classes can be found by contacting Gray at the Davis YMCA.