Entering the Age of Aquarius
Larry Sassone shows off part of a Marc Fogel art piece on Wednesday, Feb. 12, that is slated to be unveiled at the Age of Aquarius Art and Music Festival, opening at the Butler Art Center & Gallery on Saturday, Feb. 15. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
The feeling of looking at the visual art piece “Home” has changed for Tom Mosser, and many of the artists who contributed a square to it, now that its subject, Marc Fogel, is returning to Butler after being detained in a Russian prison for more than three years.
Mosser, an artist from Penn Hills, said the piece will make its debut at the Butler Art Center & Gallery on Saturday, Feb. 15, to help kick off the gallery’s Age of Aquarius Art and Music Festival. Mosser said the piece was an effort to bring attention to Fogel and his family, to keep their plight front and center in hopes that U.S. officials would eventually bring him home.
Although the piece debuted at a gallery in Allegheny County in January, Mosser said the fact that it is being unveiled in Butler this weekend gives it an even deeper meaning. He also said Fogel’s mother, Malphine Fogel, said she would be at the art center for the debut Saturday evening.
“I called the piece ‘Home,’ and it says ‘Home’ at the bottom. It is incredible timing that we are unveiling the piece in Butler Saturday,” Mosser said. “Now it’s going to have a very special meaning. The whole vibe is changed now — he’s home and that’s the title of the piece.”
The Age of Aquarius show at the Butler Art Center & Gallery is an event being brought back after a 20-year absence. Larry Sassone, chairman for the Age of Aquarius event, said the event originally took place in 2005, when the artists brought 1960s-influenced visual and music arts to the center.
This year’s Age of Aquarius show runs from Feb. 15 to 22, and will feature more than 60 art pieces from 30 visual artists and several performances throughout the week. Additionally, businesses in Butler are getting involved in the event, according to Sassone.
“We’ve got things going on all week at the art center,” Sassone said. “And this year, to bring it back, we’re including all the businesses on Main Street. There’s 50 businesses participating in a crawl.”
The Age of Aquarius opens with a gallery reception beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, which will be a costume party featuring a DJ. On Sunday, there will be a time capsule show featuring archived photos from the Butler Eagle; on Monday, there will be an event honoring veterans from Butler County who served in the Vietnam War; on Tuesday, there will be performances by bands from Butler and beyond; on Wednesday, Hobnob Theatre Company will host an improv performance; and on Thursday and Friday, local musicians will perform at the gallery.
On Friday, the local band Old School will open for the band Burn the Jukebox at Butler Intermediate High School, which Sassone said will likely be a highlight of the week.
“You’ve got to stop and see it to really understand it,” Sassone said.
People also can buy a “passport” from the art center, which they can get stamped at about 50 businesses in Butler, to earn a reward for collecting them all.
Sassone said the art center is heavily promoting Age of Aquarius because it is an event attempting to try to involve the Butler community.
“I think the reason why is it’s so inclusive with everything downtown,” Sassone said. “We’re trying to get all the businesses downtown.”
Mosser said the event will be permeated by a feeling of joy because of Marc Fogel’s return. He said many of the artists who worked on “Home” and the last gallery he organized are eager to speak with the Fogel family, and Marc, if given the chance.
“It’s just surreal,” he said. “Now he has a bunch of friends he hasn’t met yet. About 130 people who want to meet him.”
For more information on the Age of Aquarius, visit the Butler Art Center & Gallery’s website at butlerartcenterandgallery.org.
The Age of Aquarius will promote events throughout the eight days of its run time at Butler Art Center & Gallery, 344 S. Main St. in Butler. Below are events included in the Age of Aquarius.
Saturday, Feb. 15
The art exhibit opening night reception begins at 7 p.m. at the gallery. The theme is a 1960s costume party, and it will feature DJ Pat Gallagher.
Sunday, Feb. 16
Ed Nebel’s Butler Eagle time capsule presentation begins at 1 p.m. at the gallery. Coffee and sweets will be served.
Monday, Feb. 17
Project 19 honoring Butler County Vietnam veterans begins at 7 p.m. at the gallery.
Tuesday, Feb. 18
“The Root of Rock: Butler Style,” a panel discussion between local musicians, begins at 7 p.m. in the gallery.
Wednesday, Feb. 19
Hobnob Theatre Company will perform an improv show that begins at 7 p.m. in the gallery.
Thursday, Feb. 20
Vince Tavolorio will perform live music at 7 p.m. in the gallery.
Friday, Feb. 21
Washboard Tony will perform live music with a special guest starting at 7 p.m. in the gallery.
Saturday, Feb. 22
Butler band Old School and touring band Burn the Jukebox will perform a concert that begins at 7 p.m. at Butler Intermediate High School, 551 Fairground Hill Road in Butler Township. Tickets are $20 pre-sale, and $25 at the door, and can be purchased online at burnthejukebox.com.
Larry Sassone poses with a piece of his own artwork on Wednesday, Feb. 12, which is part of the Age of Aquarius art show at the Butler Art Center & Gallery. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Larry Sassone demonstrates the pinball machines on Wednesday, Feb. 12, set up for the Age of Aquarius art show at the Butler Art Center & Gallery. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Larry Sassone discusses the artwork on display for the Age of Aquarius art show at the Butler Art Center & Gallery. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Larry Sassone demonstrates the pinball machines set up Wednesday, Feb. 12, in the Butler Art Center & Gallery, which will be up for use through the Age of Aquarius art show at the gallery from Feb. 15 to 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Larry Sassone demonstrates the pinball machines set up Wednesday, Feb. 12, in the Butler Art Center & Gallery, which will be up for use through the Age of Aquarius art show at the gallery from Feb. 15 to 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Larry Sassone points out the Vietnam War memorial on Wednesday, Feb. 12, that will be on display for the Age of Aquarius art show at the Butler Art Center & Gallery from Feb. 15 to 22. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips