Live painting, aerial artists, video shorts, an art auction, musical and dance performances produced an evening of creativity at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center Sept. 17.

CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT

The impetus for the event was to raise money that will cover one year's rent for the multiple non- profits housed within the Youngstown Center.

The evening was made possible by SKIFFLE, a collaboration of Blank Canvas, All Access- the youth focused art program within the Youngstown Center- and partnerships with, Arts Corp, Rock School, Youth Media Institute, and the Nature Consortium.

Skiffle is an old English term for people coming together to raise rent money for an individual or group.

In 2009 Skiffle was able to raise $15,000 toward rent for non- profits at the Youngstown Center.

Blank Canvas is a cadre of creative people that believe a charitable contribution can mean more than a monetary one. With that in mind the Blank Canvas Artist Throwdowns materialized.

Artist Throwdowns are acts of spontaneous and collaborative paintings done all in one day, in one place, in the service of charity.

Blank Canvas is exactly what it means. They supply the location and general art supplies. The team dynamics and creativity are supplied by the organization being sponsored.

The artwork created during the event was auctioned off later in the evening by All Access teaching artist Roberto Ascalon and Founder/Executive Director of Blank Canvas, Kristen Young. Over $500.00 was raised during the auction that will benefit All Access at Youngstown.

Some of the many performers last night were rappers Los Tainos, the break dancing troupe Vicious Puppies, aerial artists Cabiri, KEXP DJ Sharlese, and the always sultry Christina Orbe’.

All of the artists and performers last were All Access students and/or teaching artists.

For more information about the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center and what they do go to www.youngstownarts.org