When it comes to Dayton Creatives, Rodney Veal is top of list. Along with a group of area artists, Veal has created EPIC, “ART Matters, Dayton Art and Design Symposium” to be held on February 28, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM at The Tank Theatre inside the historic Dayton Arcade.Renowned artists, architects, designers, city leaders, and creative visionaries will come together to explore opportunities for artists and the economic impact and importance art has at the intersections of innovation, culture, and community. Dayton Mayor Jeffrey J. Mims, Jr., will provide opening remarks, and closing remarks will be made by Dayton City Manager Shelley Dickstein. The keynote address “Empowering Creativity: Advancing Art and Design in Ohio” will be presented by Donna Collins, executive director of the Ohio Arts Council.
I was fortunate enough to catch up with Rodney Veal to get the lowdown on the event.
D9: Hi Rodney! Thanks for meeting me. Tell me how this event got its wings….and what exactly is the goal?
RV: Hi Josh! The Epic Committee came together just under a year ago, which we didn’t name ourselves right away. We all came together from a variety of professions, mostly creatives who had the crazy idea that we create events and activities to support the arts in a more organic and grassroots way. One of biggest goals was to help was to assist Dana L. Wiley galleries activate their spaces with events to help that convene artists and lovers of art.
D9: The spaces are beautiful in the gallery and the Arcade in general. I’m wondering why ‘Art Matters’ as the theme for the event?
RV: The theme for our upcoming Art and Design Symposium is “Art Matters” with a series individual presentations and group panel discussions that explore the various aspects of the arts and design world, from the Artistic Director of Dayton ballet, to architects and visual artists and even a philanthropist. All of them speaking about their experiences and how the arts have shaped their careers and indeed lives. The passion these individuals possess for their chosen careers is astonishing and we hope that people who attend will be inspired by what they hear and witness that day. Now more than ever the arts serve a powerful role in a fractured world and have the power to restore our collective humanity…. which would be another awesome outcome of the symposium.
D9: Definitely in a strange time relating to the Arts. Any work artists can create towards bridging the gap is so appreciated. What will people experience at the event?
RV: There will not be massive showing of artworks, but there will be an opportunity to hear from some of the most amazing artist and creatives who live in the Miami Valley. They will speak powerfully and from the heart about the personal impact the arts have and will continue to have on our world. And there will be even five person panel discussions about creating and painting spaces for creativity to thrive and flourish.
D9: Now that sounds cool!! And again, who are we likely to rub shoulders with at this event?
RV: We have people from all walks of life, artists , dancers, photographers, architects, interior designers. we are excited that the Executive Director of the Ohio Arts Council , Donna Collins will be our Keynote speaker for the day. Donna will share with us the state of the arts in our state. There is a lot to celebrate and be inspired by and we hope our panelists speakers will do just that.
D9: What a great choice for keynote!! So, I have to ask…why the name EPIC?
RV: The EPIC name is really an acronym for our core tenet, to educate, promote, inspire and connect; and we took a chance believing anyone can make a change and do something really quite amazing! Considering that none of us has ever planned a event of this size is a game-changer, but we dared to dream and we feel pretty cool about what we are doing in service of our love for the arts!
D9: Best to you Rodney….excited to be there!
And you can too: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-matters-dayton-art-and-design-symposium-tickets-1144784283609
