Youngstown Radio Reading Members Enjoy Day at Art Museum

YOUNGSTOWN — Members of Goodwill’s Youngstown Radio Reading Service enjoyed a special exhibit Wednesday at The Butler Institute of American Art. 

The exhibit, titled “Hands On! The Sculpture of Michael Naranjo” allows those who are visually impaired the opportunity to feel the art on display. The sculptures are on display from July 14 through Sept. 22.

“I’m really impressed with the Butler Art Museum and Joy Mistovich in getting artists who are blind so that their work can be displayed for people who are blind,” said Mike Bosela, a visually impaired part-time employee and former director with YRRS. “I’m really intrigued, and it’s exciting to find out. We’re all going to have different opinions, and we’re going to have programs about it for our radio reading service.”

Mistovich, assistant education director with Butler Institute, is a member of Goodwill’s board of directors. 

Naranjo is a Native American who was blinded by war and was left with one hand with which to create art. He has carved out sculptures for decades solely with his left hand. His bronze works include Earth, Fire and Wind, Catherine’s Hands, Migraine, Geronimo and Daydream.

Otho Mae Braziel, another visually impaired employee of YRRS, enjoyed her first trip to the museum since she was a student at Youngstown State University. 

“It was a beautiful experience at that time when I was able to see,” she said. “Because I did see some things, when they explain to me what I’m feeling, it’ll come to a picture for me. I think this is something everyone was looking forward to.”

Along with Bosela and Braziel, other YRRS members on hand were Coordinator Mike Muder and Erik Stovall, as well as Patty Poorman, a volunteer and listener.

Photo (front, from left): Patty Poorman and Mike Muder. (Back, from left): Erik Stovall, Mike Bosela and Otho Mae Braziel.