Of the many great things that Youngstown has been home to over the years--art has been competing at the top of that list.

However, the last few years have seen the passing of some of the city's pioneers when it comes to art culture including Jim Lepore, Al Bright, Frederick Molden, Scott Pergande, Sarena Polite, Maple Turner III, and Chris Yambar.

On Sunday, folks near and far occupied the second and third floors of the Knox Building, while the walls occupied with art from those Youngstown legends, along with internationally-known names that still call the valley home.

"We wanted to pay tribute to those artists we lost and also celebrate their legacy, and celebrate the artists who had a personal bond, a professional bond, and also learned in the classroom.", said Jacob Harver, owner of Knox Building along West Federal Street in downtown Youngstown.

Artists like Daniel Rauschenbach who attribute their success to those they leaned on at one time.

"Jim Lepore honored today at the Butler and here. Mr. Lepore was a heavy hitter. Al Bright taught you to wear nice clothing in present yourself to the community and love where you're from.", said Rausechenbach, whose works of art were also on display.

Lepore was recognized earlier in the day at the Butler Institute of American Art, where his passion began. His daughter, former Ohio State Representative Michele Lepore-Hagan spent the evening taking in her father's art collection.

"When my father was a child, he would take a bus and walk from the east side of Youngstown, into the Butler Art Museum.", said Lepore-Hagan. That's where he would walk into a cigar-filled room in the basement and study.

"He studied with Joe Butler, and this was in 1938--and it just hit him right then: 'This is what I want to do, live in a world that's possible, a world where you can just be a part of vision and love", an emotional Lepore-Hagan explained. Joseph Butler founded the Butler Institute of American Art in 1919.

A professor at Youngstown College and subsequently Youngstown State empowering his students to excel. A time often referred to as the Golden Age of the Arts.

"For all these people that were coming in for the Jim Lepore show...we just wanted to welcome them and show them that we're alive and well, and that we're still working at a national and international level.", said Jason Van Hoose, who wants to remind the city that the seeds that these pioneers planted years ago, are still growing today.