Correspondent photo / Karla Dines Jessica Gibbs, YWCA Mahoning Valley Events Manager, addresses those attending the 44th annual “Women Artists: A Celebration” at the YWCA Mahoning Valley in Youngstown. A celebration party took place Thursday for artists whose art was selected for the event, which began June 26, when the artworks became available to the public. The art will remain on display at the YWCA until July 23. The event, created in 1982, recognizes the work of area women artists and their contributions to the arts in the community, while also raising funds for the YWCA. The proceeds from the art show benefit the YWCA supportive housing program for women.

An annual art show was established in Youngstown at the Mahoning Valley YWCA in 1982 because women on the YWCA board at that time wished to showcase women’s art, which was not being shown at the same rate as men’s art.

The show has been such a success that it has been held each year since then. The 44th annual “Women Artists: A Celebration” was Thursday evening at the YWCA Mahoning Valley. The show was attended by 190 area artists and guests.

Of all the art submitted for the show, 132 pieces were accepted. It gives women the opportunity not only to showcase and sell their artwork but also to receive awards for their work. This year, there is nearly $4,000 in the award fund for prizes and 25 artists received awards ranging from $50 to $500.

The show serves as a fundraiser for the YWCA supportive housing program, which provides many types of supportive housing, including for women who have been homeless, as well as providing affordable housing in the community. There are 20 apartments at the YWCA.

Lana VanAuker of Canfield has entered her artwork into the show each year since its inception 44 years ago.

“I have been doing photography since I was a child in 4-H. I attended Youngstown State (University) and am a recreational therapist. I use photography in my field as a therapist,” VanAuker said.

VanAuker’s “Secret Window” was one of the pieces accepted in this year’s show. She said she was driving when she saw an Amish girl looking through a window at a dog, and she stopped to take a photograph of her.

Michelle Hillier of Boardman has five pieces of her mixed media art in the show. Hillier uses acrylic paint mixed with plaster. Her work is then sealed with epoxy.

“I am a self-taught artist. My dad used to do murals when he worked for the post office. He did a mural at the Niles post office. I guess it just kind of rubbed off on me,” Hillier said.

One of William Hilliard’s murals was of the United States flag.

“Artists Under 17” had their own area in the art show. Eleven young artists from Kinsman, McDonald, Newton Falls, Salem, Niles, Leetonia and Youngstown had their work on display.

Greenleigh Sedoris, 16, of McDonald, has two self-portraits in this year’s art show. She said this is the first year she has submitted an entry.

Poland resident Lindy McMurray said her husband is in the scrap industry, and she likes to take pictures of his inventory and does watercolors of that subject matter. Her medium is watercolors and the two pieces accepted into the show are titled “Railroad Rhetoric” and “End of the Line.”

“My neighbor asked me if I would like to learn how to paint when I was 60 years old, ” McMurray said, noting that it shows it is never too late to learn.

Virginia Banks of Youngstown has a photograph of flowers she saw at Atwood Lake in Carroll County. Banks said she was married to Al Bright, an art professor at YSU. Banks said that many people at the show claim that Bright trained them.

“Photography is about a picture, a story and color. You do not need a special camera. All was taken with a phone camera,” Banks said.

The show will be available for public viewing noon to 4 p.m. through July 24, but is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. For information, call 330-746-6361 x122 or visit ywcamahoningvalley.org.