



Dayton Ohio Habitat for Humanity ReStore
115 W Riverview Ave.
Dayton, Ohio 45405
Hours of Operation
Tuesday through Saturday
OPEN. 9:00 a.m.- Noon &
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Dayton ReStore is closed Noon- 1:00 p.m. daily for lunch
In retirement Bill Franz bought a camera, learned how to use it, and became a volunteer photographer. He has done photo projects for the Humane Society of Greater Dayton and for almost two dozen other local organizations.
In 2013 Bill started a project of his own – photographing people at work. Since then he has photographed hundreds of workers, from butchers and bakers and candy makers to clowns and sculptors and fire eaters. The photos have appeared in solo and group art exhibitions and also in less traditional venues such as hospitals, retail stores, nature centers and breweries. They have been seen by hundreds of thousands of people. Profits from photo sales go to Dayton area nonprofits.
By Bill Franz
Dayton Ohio Habitat for Humanity ReStore
115 W Riverview Ave.
Dayton, Ohio 45405
Hours of Operation
Tuesday through Saturday
OPEN. 9:00 a.m.- Noon &
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Dayton ReStore is closed Noon- 1:00 p.m. daily for lunch
By Bill Franz
By Bill Franz
Conversation with Chef Cece of The Burger Bistro, one of the four restaurants at The Silos (801 East First). I asked Chef Cece about her food background.
By Bill Franz
This series was inspired by words – President Trump’s lies about the Haitian immigrants in Springfield. I’ve decided that I should try to include words in the images I’m creating. I should use my words to combat those of the president.
Lies and slander are part of the president’s schtick, the comedic style he uses to entertain his followers. Wikipedia lists more than 80 of his derogatory nicknames, like calling his predecessor “Crooked Joe.” The president uses those nicknames to demean other powerful people. It’s different when his slurs are directed at the most vulnerable.
When powerful people direct hate speech against the vulnerable I hear echoes of some of history’s worst events. Calling Haitians criminals who eat people’s dogs and cats makes me think of the Tutsis who were called cockroaches before the killings in Rwanda, or the Jews who were called vermin before their German citizenship was stripped away. Words aimed at dehumanizing the vulnerable can be a first step towards abuse. When we hear those words we need to shout them down.
Miguel’s parents brought him here to escape the violence in his native country. He has no documentation, so the president labels him a criminal. We cannot let that label stand. It can be used to justify abuses, claiming they were acceptable because they were directed only against criminals.
If the president wants to label some people as criminals, we should insist that he use the word accurately. A criminal is a person who has been found guilty in a court of law of committing a crime. The president is a criminal. Miguel is not.
By Bill Franz
By Bill Franz
By Bill Franz
Salona, part of my series Hidden Figures. Salona is a Haitian name that means “rare ruby” or “most beautiful.”
President Trump said the Haitians in Springfield are criminals who eat people’s dogs and cats. In fact they are legal, documented immigrants recruited by local businesses and supported by city officials as being good for the community.
The Springfield News-Sun quoted one of the Haitian immigrants: “No one wants to leave their native country, but a lot of bad things are happening right now because of the gangsters. We’re working here, we’re paying taxes here. We’re just trying to pursue a better life.”
The president says he is taking away the Haitian’s status as legal immigrants in August. That would force them to choose between returning to a violent, dangerous homeland and becoming “hidden figures” unable to work, drive or do other things legally. If he carries through with this threat the president will be hurting our local economy and increasing the number of undocumented immigrants.
It’s clear to me that the president’s attitude towards the Haitians employed in Springfield would be different if they were white. Just compare his statements about those Haitians with his statements about white farmers who are citizens of South Africa. He offered those white farmers a rapid pathway to U.S. citizenship if the South African government took actions that made them feel unsafe.
The president has always been in favor of immigration – as long as the immigrants are white. During his first time in office he repeatedly said he wanted more immigrants from “nice” (white) countries like Norway. Some of the people closest to the president are white immigrants, including his first wife, his current wife and his most important advisor, Elon Musk.
Facing discrimination because they are not white is nothing new for black undocumented immigrants. They have always been more likely to be deported than other immigrants, and more likely to suffer abuse during the process. I hope Salona and her family stay safe.
By Bill Franz
authentic noodles, bao buns, and dumplings, a celebration of Asian cuisine
By Bill Franz
The inspiration for this series was President Trump’s lies about the Haitian immigrants in Springfield. His statement that they are criminals who eat people’s cats and dogs caused even Ohio’s Republican officials to complain. When a powerful person lies it makes me wonder what he’s hiding. It makes me want to know more about all of the immigrants he’s threatened and lied about. That eventually led me to this series.
As I post the pieces in this series I’ll share some of the things I’ve learned about our country’s immigrants. In this piece some basic facts are built into the image. The boy is standing on an orange floor that takes up 11% of the image because 11% of the people now in the U.S. were born elsewhere and have documents that show they are now U.S. citizens or legal residents.
The gold band represents the 3% of people in the U.S. who were born elsewhere and don’t have documents. These are the millions of “hidden figures” President Trump says he’ll round up, imprison and send out of the country.
The background in blue refers to the 85% of people in the U.S. who are descendants of immigrants.
The top line is 1% of the image. It represents the only U.S. residents who are not immigrants or their descendants – Native Americans.
This series is about undocumented immigrants – hidden figures – and in this piece I’m using a photo of the boy I call Mateo to represent one of them. I have no idea whether this boy is actually an undocumented immigrant. He could be a fifth generation American. When I’m given the opportunity to photograph a child like this I don’t ask about his immigration status. I just say thank you and take the photo.
By Bill Franz
Sugarcreek Photography Gallery
15 West Franklin St.
Bellbrook, OH 45305
Hours:
By Bill Franz
810 E. First
Dayton, OH 45402
Tuesday – Thursday 4-10 PM
Friday 4 PM – Midnight
Saturday 11 AM – Midnight
Sunday 11 AM – 7 PM
By Bill Franz
I remember showing some of my work at the gallery’s original location near the Arcade. Now it is in a great space near RiverScape.
Ed’s gallery is best known for its annual “We’re Doing it ALL Wrong” exhibition that runs from August 1 to September 28 this year. Artists from across the country submit work that highlights important social issues. I asked Ed where he got the idea for this annual show.
“I started my gallery 7 years ago” he told me. “From the first I wanted to do an exhibition with art work that was thoughtful and thought provoking – maybe even art that spurred people to take action. I didn’t want it to be political. I wanted it focused on issues. During that annual exhibition we sometimes have nonprofit nights, where people can learn more about the local groups that are addressing the issues referenced by the artists in the show.”
There is an interesting mix of art currently in the gallery, with prices ranging from $100 to $8,500. In the first photo above, Ed is standing in front of a beautiful painting by Beavercreek resident Alisa H Workman. She describes her work as lightly abstract floral art.
A group of colorful abstracts currently in the gallery was painted in Cuba by the late Julio Antonio Pino Varens. He had a friend in Dayton who arranged to have the work sent here.
Also traveling a fair distance are the two pieces currently in the corner by California artist Juko. “She grew up in Dayton” Ed told me. “We went to school together. We lost touch when she moved away and only recently reconnected. In California she got a PhD and has had a great career in forest conservation. And she paints amazing abstract works that I’m happy to bring to Dayton.”
“One of the things I like most about having a gallery is choosing what work to show. This spring we’ll be showing work by Dayton’s Susanne Scherette King. I’ll enjoy being surrounded by her work for a month.”
Next time you’re downtown you should stop by Edward A Dixon Gallery and see what art Ed is currently surrounding himself with.
222 North St Clair
Dayton, OH 45402
Hours:
Thurs, Sat & Sun 12pm – 5pm
Friday 3pm – 8pm
Can’t visit during normal hours? Make an appointment!
Click here to make an appointment or
You can also call 937-985-2115 or email info@eadgallery.com.
By Bill Franz
As a former businessman, I like the strategy of Miami Valley Meals. I like that you do only what you’re best at and then work with others to do everything else. But how do you do your part? How can anyone make 700 meals each day out of whatever food is donated?
Join the scoop squad! The culinary team can always use an extra hand in the kitchen. Weekly, monthly, twice-a-year, whatever works for you.
They have volunteer opportunities for individuals or groups!
If you would like to register a GROUP to volunteer, please email taylor@miamivalleymeals.org to get started.
By Bill Franz
Kathleen has many more products.
You should drop by and see if she has an interesting story to go with each one.
Historic Huffman Neighborhood
2027 East Fifth Street
Dayton, Ohio 45403
937-999-4231
Shop Hours:
Tuesday – Friday 11am – 6pm
Saturday 12 – 5pm
By Bill Franz
Hours
Sun – Fri 12:00 – 5:30
Saturday 11:00 – 5:30
By Bill Franz
Carin Solganik
This week’s Buy Local Monday conversation is with Carin Solganik of All The Best Delicatessen.