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Dayton Art Institiute

The Artistic Life of Aka Pereyma Exhibit Opens Feb 17th

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The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) kicks off its 2024 Special Exhibition season by showcasing the work of Aka Pereyma, an American artist of Ukrainian heritage who lived most of her life in Troy, Ohio. The Artistic Life ofAka Pereyma is on view from February 17–May 12, 2024.

“We are thrilled to present the works of an artist who has such a strong connection to the local community,” said DAI Director & President Michael R. Roediger. “Though Pereyma had a larger following internationally, she is truly a cherished name in the region, making this an exciting show for all. Whether you are familiar with her work or discovering it for the first time, this exhibition will be one you are glad you attended.”

Aka Pereyma’s unconventional and visionary art demonstrates a highly personal means of expression, conveying strong ties to her Ukrainian heritage. Pereyma would say, “I think it is my duty to introduce the world to my Ukrainian culture.” Pereyma’s art does precisely that, weaving folk-art traditions with Modern artistic styles.

Recurring themes include Ukrainian folk songs, depictions of birds to represent her love of nature and Adam and Eve (along with leaves and eggs) to symbolize men and women. The works tell stories, often through surreal, densely filled ornamentation.

Pereyma graduated from the School of the Dayton Art Institute with a degree in sculpture and attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Not tied to a single medium, she made paintings, drawings, wood and metal sculptures, needlework, woodblock prints, ceramics and exquisitely intricate designs on pysanky, the traditional Ukrainian eggs. The exhibition brings together works from throughout her career, from the early 1960s to the 21st century.

Celebrating a local artistic legend, this exhibition will highlight Pereyma’s love of color and bold design. “More is more” was a favorite saying of the artist. Guests can expect to find a wide selection of the artist’s work, each with an incredible amount of detail and symbolism, giving a look into the artist’s inspirations and passions

“Aka Pereyma was someone who was always creating,” said DAI Head Curator & Curatorial Affairs Director Jerry N. Smith. “She was known to have multiple workstations in her home, so she could simultaneously work on a painting at one station, and ceramics, welding or woodcarving at another. In this exhibition, you really get the chance to see what interested and fascinated her. Hers was a full and rich life, filled with family, love of heritage and art. It is why the exhibition is titled The Artistic Life of Aka Pereyma.”

 

Several related programs and educational resources will be offered in conjunction with The Artistic Life of Aka Pereyma exhibition. These include:

  • Community Guided Tour: Select Saturdays, March 9, April 20 and May 4, from 1:30–2:30 p.m. and Select Thursdays, February 29, March 28 and April 25, from 6–7 p.m.
  • Curatorial Conversation: March 30, from 1:30–2:30 p.m.
  • Exhibition Speaker Series: Iryna Voloshyna: Saturday, March 16, from 2–3 p.m. and Saturday, January 6, from 1:30–3 p.m.
  • Exhibition Speaker Series: Christina Pereyma O’Neal: Saturday, April 13, from 2–3 p.m.
  • Experience the Exhibition: Ukrainian Egg Painting: Saturday, March 23, from 1:30–3 p.m. Cost: $35 for members and $45 for non-members.
  • Experience the Exhibition: Family Story Telling: Saturday, April 27, from 1:30–3 p.m. Cost: $35 for members and $45 for non-members.

Admission to The Artistic Life of Aka Pereyma exhibition is included in the museum’s general admission, which includes access to all Special and Focus Exhibitions currently on view, as well as the museum collection galleries. General admission is $15 adults; $10 seniors (60+), active military and groups (10 or more); $5 students (18+ w/ID) and youth (ages 7–17); and free for children (ages 6 & younger). Admission is free for museum members. Membership information can be found online at www.daytonartinstitute.org/membership.

 

Other current and upcoming Special and Focus Exhibitions at the museum include Telling Stories: World Literature in Art (on view through May 26, 2024), James Pate, Techno-Cubism: The Art of Line Painting (on view from February 3–April 28, 2024), Hand-Colored Photographs(on view from March 23–September 22, 2024) and Captivating Clay: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Horvitz Collection (on view from April 13–September 29, 2024).

 

For more information about planning a visit, including current museum hours and updates, go to www.daytonartinstitute.org/visit or call 937-223-4ART (4278). Connect with the Dayton Art Institute on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest for additional information, behind-the-scenes photos and videos and exclusive offers.

 

ABOUT DAYTON ART INSTITUTE

MISSION: Through art, we create transformative and diverse experiences, strengthen community connections and inspire imagination.

 

VISION: Through art, we are dedicated to collection stewardship, creative engagement and inspirational experiences. With intentional momentum, we nurture inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.

 

Free Admission For Moms at DAI Sunday

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Mother’s Day is tomorrow and The Dayton Art Institute  has an extraordinary treat from the museum for all the amazing moms out there!

Bring your mom to the museum this Sunday, May 14th, as they extend our heartfelt appreciation to mothers everywhere with FREE admission for all moms! It’s their way of saying “thank you” for the love, care, and endless support you provide.The DAI  invite you to immerse yourselves in a world of inspiration, where art and love intersect. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to make your Mother’s Day truly special. Spread the word and invite your friends to join the celebration!

Dayton Art Institute
456 Belmonte Park North
Dayton, Ohio 45405

Wednesday 11 AM – 5 PM
Thursday 11 AM – 8 PM
Friday 11 AM – 5 PM
Saturday 11 AM – 5 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 5 PM

Admission:
Adults: $15
Seniors (60+), Active Military, Groups (10 or more): $10
College Students (18+ with ID) & Youth (ages 7-17): $5
Children (ages 6 & younger): Free
Museum Members: Free

Dayton Art Institute Launches “Virtual Oktoberfest”

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The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) recently made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Oktoberfest–the first time in its 49-year history the event has been canceled–due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the museum still wants to spread some Oktoberfest cheer.

Today, the DAI launched its first ever “Virtual Oktoberfest” fundraiser, offering a unique way to celebrate the popular festival and raise important operating revenue for the museum.

“Oktoberfest is an immensely popular community festival, and we wanted to make certain the spirit of the event continues, even though we can’t celebrate at the museum this year,” DAI Director & CEO Michael R. Roediger said. “This virtual fundraiser offers the opportunity to keep the tradition of the Oktoberfest mugs, t-shirts and hat pins alive, while also generating much-needed support for the museum.”

 

Virtual Oktoberfest offers an exclusive, limited-edition 2020 Oktoberfest mug and hat pin, as well as three different Oktoberfest t-shirts, and an invitation to a special livestream event to take place on September 26.

“Even though you can’t spend the traditional weekend at the museum, listening to polka bands, perusing the artisans and having a pretzel with a mug of beer, you can take the DAI’s ‘party-in-a-box’ and have your own Oktoberfest celebration at home,” Roediger said. “Many collect the Oktoberfest mugs–a tradition dating back to the late 1970s–and you definitely won’t want to miss out on the 2020 mug, created specifically for this event. A very limited number are being produced, and they will only be available through this online fundraiser.”

 

Three different Virtual Oktoberfest Party Packs are being offered:

 

  • VIP Party Pack ($200): Contains the exclusive 2020 Oktoberfest mug, two Oktoberfest hat pins, two Oktoberfest logo t-shirts and an invitation to the Virtual Oktoberfest livestream event on September 26.
  • General Admission Party Pack ($100): Contains the exclusive 2020 Oktoberfest mug, one Oktoberfest hat pin, one Oktoberfest logo t-shirt and an invitation to the Virtual Oktoberfest livestream event on September 26.
  • Starter Party Pack ($50): Contains one Oktoberfest hat pin, one Oktoberfest logo t-shirt and an invitation to the Virtual Oktoberfest livestream event on September 26.

 

Each Party Pack offers the option to purchase two other Oktoberfest t-shirts designs: a “Dayton Strong” shirt and a “Beer Eye Chart” shirt.

All three t-shirts may also be purchased individually, and a specially priced three-pack of Oktoberfest logo t-shirts is available. The Party Packs are the only way to purchase the Oktoberfest hat pin, and the VIP and General Admission Party Packs are the only way to purchase the 2020 Oktoberfest mug.

The virtual livestream event on September 26 will feature music and other special surprises. More details about the livestream event will be released in September.

All Virtual Oktoberfest merchandise will only be available, in limited quantities and for a limited time, via the museum’s online store, at www.daytonartinstitute.org/shopdai. Virtual Oktoberfest sales will end on August 31. All purchases will be curbside pickup at the DAI: VIP Party Packs will be available for pickup on September 18; all other items must be picked up on September 26. The museum will provide pickup instructions after orders are placed. No Virtual Oktoberfest items will be shipped.

The DAI, which recently reopened after being closed four months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has canceled all three of its 2020 Signature Events–Oktoberfest, Art Ball and Bourbon & Bubbles–and faces a projected budget deficit of more than $1 million in 2020. Oktoberfest is the museum’s largest annual fundraiser, and its cancellation means the loss of more than $400,000 in revenue,” Roediger said. “This Virtual Oktoberfest fundraiser will play a critical role in offsetting some of that loss and helping to fund museum operations during this difficult time. Oktoberfest will be back in 2021, but we need the community’s support to help make that happen.”

 

$5 First Thursday at DAI

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Beginning next Thursday, September 5, the Dayton Art Institute will offer a discounted general admission rate of $5 per person on the first Thursday of each month. This initiative, part of the museum’s ongoing centennial celebrations in 2019, will continue through December. Upcoming $5 Thursdays will take place on September 5, October 3, November 7 and December 5.

 

Due to popular demand, the highly attended Focus Exhibition Monet and Impressionism, featuring a special Monet on loan from the Denver Art Museum, has been extended through September 22, as part of the museum’s ongoing centennial celebration!

Monet and Impressionism provides a spotlight on 14 works highlighting Impressionism in France, including works by Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, Berthe Morisot and Henri Matisse.

Read more about the exhibition

“We are thrilled to be able to extend this absolute gem of an exhibition, which is based around Monet and the lasting achievements of the Impressionists. It is a great part of our year-long centennial celebration, and we are excited our community has additional time to enjoy it,” said Jerry N. Smith, DAI’s Chief Curator.

Be sure to also visit The Moon Museum (on view through September 8) and Our Century: Dayton Area Collects (on view through September 22) while visiting the museum!