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Richmond artist Dave Barnhouse work among features of the interior of the Inn

Local artist Dave Barnhouse unveiled his painting of Franciscan University of Steubenville during an open house Thursday evening at the Inn at Franciscan Square. The painting, showing various scenes at the university, was painted on a piece of old wood. — Dave Gossett

STEUBENVILLE — Visitors to the Inn at Franciscan Square on Thursday had an opportunity to view the latest work by Richmond artist Dave Barnhouse.

Several hours after a grand opening for the new hotel on University Boulevard, a private open house in collaboration with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce offered tours of the 113-room facility and the unveiling of the Barnhouse painting in the main lobby seating area.

“Many of you have probably had those thoughts that keep you awake at night. Then you get the light bulb moment. I called Dave Barnhouse with a crazy idea and we got together on May 18. We had a good first talk about our faith life. We came to terms on the painting and he started coming up with different ideas,” Joe McGurn of the university’s physical plant services related.

“I got the idea to do a painting on wood. I had wanted to do something different for this project so we went out and found an antique piece of wood, sanded it and primed it and started working on the painting. It took me about two and a half months to complete the painting, and I hope it will be a blessing to the community,” Barnhouse told the dozens of people gathered in the lobby.

“I used my granddaughter to pose as one of the people in the painting. Then I changed her into a nun and then into a Franciscan friar,” added Barnhouse.

The two-hour open house offered tours of the building and hints of what is coming in the future.

Franco Carapellotti of 68 Properties said several proposed fast food and a sit-down restaurant are planned for what he called Marketplace at Franciscan Square.

“There are a lot of rumors out there, but I can’t tell you tonight what businesses will be there because we are still talking to prospective tenants. This is exciting for our community. Without Franciscan University, Steubenville would not be the community it is now. I am thankful for the opportunity to be involved in this project and to carry on our family tradition of working with the university,” stated Carapellotti.

“This is a very special new property. I hope you will be happy to send your family, friends and colleagues to the Inn at Franciscan Square to spend a night here,” said David Skiviat, vice president of finance and administration at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

“Best Western gave us an opportunity to brand this property with the Franciscan and Steubenville flavor, as you will see when you tour the hotel. I still see exciting things happening on this property with the restaurants and office space,” continued Skiviat.

The hotel is expected to start accepting guests early next week.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)

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