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Jill Davis

Reflecting on 2019 through PK Dayton

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For so many of us, 2019 will be remembered through a series of unthinkable events.  However bleak our year, the optimistic spirit of Daytonians was unmistakable, and our community’s kindness and generosity far eclipsed hate and destruction. We often found ourselves converging to commemorate the good. As I reflect on 2019, I see many of these gatherings as reflective of our experiences, our desire to connect with each other, and a place for respect and appreciation as we process the world around us.   

Emcee Aaron Primm at The Plaza – Photo Knack Creative

Several times in 2019, we gathered to share our stories during a PechaKucha event. In case you aren’t familiar with PechaKucha (or PK), here is a quick overview: PK is an event that started in Tokyo in 2003 by architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham. Their purpose was to create a fun, informal social event where stories could be shared, but long, boring presentations would be eliminated.  They requested that speakers use a simple presentation format comprised of 20 visual slides that are timed at 20 seconds per slide.  In 400 seconds, a speaker visually and verbally conveys a story to a captive audience. The PK experience caught on, and now “PechaKucha Nights” are hosted in over 1,200 international cities, including Dayton.

Celebrating our community was one reason that Jill Davis and Matt Sauer brought PechaKucha to Dayton in 2009. Over the past 10 years, PK Dayton has presented over 41 events, and included hundreds of speakers and thousands of audience members.  Matt and Jill have since passed the PK baton to I, Katy Kelly, Mike Beerbower and Jason Antonick, and we continue to organize PK events four times a year.

In 2019, 37 people from our community presented their ideas, accomplishments, challenges and stories. As I looked back at 2019 through my PK Dayton lens, I connect what our speakers have shared to the spirit of our city.  Here are a few examples.

Dayton is populated with local heroes – individuals and groups that dedicate their time and energy to the betterment of our community. Naval veteran Chef Thomas Johnson created Dayton Cooks, a West Dayton-based culinary arts job training program, presenting “Food for Thought: The Life of a Culinarian” with Dayton Cooks students catering the event. Lisa Grigsby of the Dayton Film Commission shed light on what it takes to be a film commissioner and economic development driver in her talk “Daytonwood,” including scouting regional helipads for a Mariah Carey production. Jes McMillan, a mosaic artist, shared “Community Artreach,” where collaborative efforts to create large-scale public art pieces throughout the region are a team effort. Amaha Sellassie presented “We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For” as he reflected on community organizing and advocacy work including the development of the Gem City Market in West Dayton which broke ground this fall.

PK Speakers at the DAI. Photo by Knack Creative

Speakers often recognize the attributes that make Dayton unique. April Alford told the story of how local artists created a place for people of color to share their art in the Miami Valley and around the country, while offering arts education to community members in “Black Heritage through Visual Rhythms.”  Sean Mitchell recognized that the greatness of Dayton was possible because of our collaborative nature and desire to work together for the greater good in “Collaboration, Community, and a Sweater.” 

PK presentations are not always celebratory; presentations can be challenging and reflect our society’s shortcomings.  Jacqui Taylor asked us to consider the under-representation of diversity in children’s books in “Long Overdue: Representation in Children’s Literature,” sharing the statistics gathered over the past few years that demonstrate this disparity. Joshua Weston shared his deeply personal story about a family trauma, a scandal and the stigma that effected his childhood in “Pew Baby.”     

Other speakers shared humor: Samantha Enslen presented “The Secret Life of Barbie,” based on a childhood photo album that she and her sister created around three Darci Dolls and their documented adventures as models and martial arts experts.  Lindsay Gustafson’s colorful, artist-inspired clothing (think Keith Harring prints or neon unicorns) mirror the art projects she makes with her middle school students in “Teaching the Arts: Fashion Edition.” Kristen Wicker recounts being scammed in “My Two Hours as a Federal Fugitive (or: Never Return a Call from the Social Security Administration)” with incredible illustrations by Josh Koenig. 

Jacobee Rose Buchanan, an artist and librarian, shared “As NEVER Seen on TV” which chronicled her experience of leaving NY to move back to Dayton and help her HGTV-obsessed mom with rehabbing a fixer-upper – an ultimate test of DIY endurance along with unexpected critters, no plumbing, and insurance claims.

Poster by Tracey Obenour.

Another valuable aspect of PK is its nomadic nature. Taking place in different venues around the region helps motivate many of our audience members to visit a new neighborhood or building.  We began the year at the Dayton Art Institute and learned about its remarkable beginnings 100 years ago through a Daytonian’s passion for the arts. We then took over the sanctuary at Grace Church, a vibrant community-centered space in the historic Dayton View neighborhood on Salem Avenue.  We celebrated our 40th PK event at the newly renovated Liberty Tower (known previously as the Hulman Building) in downtown Dayton and admired the stunning art deco architectural details. We ended the year at The Plaza Theatre in Miamisburg, celebrating a 1919 movie theatre that was lovingly restored through community efforts.

The PK Audience at Grace Church. Photo Knack Creative

This year was challenging, but this year also reminded me of why the people of our region are extraordinary. I remember the diverse stories our brave PK speakers shared, and the many connections that occurred with new and familiar faces in a crowd of people, I know we move into the New Year with hope, respect and compassion.

Save the Date for the first PK Night of 2020- Thurs, Feb 20th at the Dayton Art Institute

PK33: LOVE & DEATH

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The objective of PechaKucha is to introduce the creative community to each other and Dayton’s PK Nights have done exactly that!

It all started for Dayton Pecha Kucha August of 2009 at c{space.  A crowd of 75 gathered to hear speakers do a 20×20, which means each talk is illustrated by 20 images that show for 20 seconds each, a total of six minutes and 40 seconds.

It was South Park resident Jill Davis that brought the concept to Dayton, entering into a verbal licensing to present these PK Nights 4 times a year.  In a 2013 interview with Meredith Moss Davis claimed, “despite my shyness, I harbored a fantasy of maintaining a salon, like Madame de Recamier, so I would be surrounded regularly by really interesting people,” she said.
Yet tonight, at the 33rd Dayton PK night Jill and her PK partner Matt Sauer will hand over the reigns to a new leadership team (Shayna, Katy + Ryan).  We owe them both a huge round of applause for creating such an amazing quarterly tradition that has become a must attend event for eight years.  They’ve carefully cultivated an amazing group of speakers, exposed us to some amazing venues and found sponsors to keep it free to the public and even included free beer! 
THANK YOU JILL & MATT!
When asked to share her thoughts on this transition, Jill says, “I’ll always be glad I took the plunge and am happy PKDayton is always a surprise to me. It keeps re-assembling itself into a bit of a new experience each time–with each venue, each new mix of speakers and each new audience. On we go!”

So now it’s time to  celebrate this hallowed time of year with our 33rd set of intense but transient 20x20s. Thursday at 7:30pm at Top of the Market, 32 Webster Street.

Ancient rituals to celebrate the dead have meaning today. We love to dress, parade, feast, prank, remember past loves and tell stories in the dark. Like life, a 20×20 is fleeting, lasting a mere 400 seconds. Emcee Juliet Fromholt will be with us in the flesh to introduce these presenters:

Mary Sanders – Observing Halloween
Carolyn Bohler – Every Recipe in the Book
Angelina Hoschouer – Dayton’s Notorious Dead
Casey Moninghoff – Fermentation is our Friend
Tim Waggoner – The Art of the Horror Story
Justin Risner – The Late Great Dayton Triangles
Joy Levett – Festivals that Honor the Spirits
Tony Kroeger – Haunted Dayton
…others may walk among us…

 

There will be beer. Free to attend. Kind donations and spirits welcome.

 

Pecha Kucha presents Hack Your City

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Art by Kelley Booze

Hack Your City Returns!

Thursday, May 18, 7:30pm at 33 Barnett Street
Dakota Center – one block south of W Fifth

Shayna, Matt & Jill

Pecha Kucha (PK)   was devised in Tokyo in February 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work publicly. It has turned into a massive celebration, with events happening in 455 cities around the world, inspiring creative people worldwide. Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of “chit chat,” PK rests on a presentation format of 20 images x 20 seconds. In 2009, Jill Davis started Dayton’s PK Nights, partnering with Matt Sauer and Shayna McConville and presenting these nights of quarterly presentations and rotating locations.  Over the years we’ve heard about creative candy making, illegal trips to Cuba, Evel Knievel and and how lunches are delivered in India.  The beauty of these nights is for 6 minutes and 40 seconds you’ll be exposed to a presenters world and then another and another.  
For this month’s PK night head to the Dakota Center for a special welcome and a night of knowledge hosted by  Yvette Kelly-Fields of Wesley Community Center. Come be inspired!  Topics will include:

  • Amaha Sellassie – Building a cooperative grocery in a food desert
  • Bryan Stewart – Improving race relations
  • Jared Grandy – Reducing gun violence
  • Charlie Setterfield – Auditing Dayton architecture with students
  • Elizabeth Koproski – Voices of immigrants
  • Dot Schnering – Revitalizing a neighborhood
  • Trudy Elder – Creating equitable housing and homeless solutions
  • Nick Christian – Taking action against the opioid epidemic
  • Amy Lee – Promoting community democracy
  • Lela Klein – Enabling worker-owned manufacturing

PARKING: The Dakota Center has a small lot, so expect to use the plentiful free street parking nearby. There’s also public parking at W. 4th and S. Broadway behind Chase Bank. (You are just steps away from Texas Beef + Cattle if you’d like to eat before PKing)

Pecha Kucha #30 Tonight in South Park

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It all started for Dayton Pecha Kucha August of 2009 at c{space.  A crowd of 75 gathered to hear speakers do a 20×20, which means each talk is illustrated by 20 images that show for 20 seconds each, a total of six minutes and 40 seconds.

While it was new for Dayton, Pecha Kucha was actually created in Tokyo in 2003 by a couple of architects, Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham, who were seeking a way to encourage student presenters to use PowerPoint in a more organized and succinct manner. The format works best when the presenter picks a main idea, writes a script for his presentation that supports that main idea and then breaks the script into twenty “scenes” that become slides. Only at this point should the presenter begin to think about finding or creating images to go with each slide. Part of the spirit of pecha kucha is that an image on a slide should support what the speaker is saying and not be something the audience has to read.

It was South Park resident Jill Davis that brought the concept to Dayton, entering into a verbal licensing to present these PK Nights 4 times a year.  In a 2013 interview with Meredith Moss Davis claimed, “despite my shyness, I harbored a fantasy of maintaining a salon, like Madame de Recamier, so I would be surrounded regularly by really interesting people,” she said. Going into the eighth year for these events, Davis has created a must attend event, that are fun, interesting and inspiring 
With her partners Matt Sauer andShayna McConville they’ve continued to find unique spaces to host the event, recruited speakers from all over the region, made sure that beeer is part of the mix.

Tonight is the  30th PKDayton and will be held at Hope Lutheran Church, 500 Hickory St, Dayton, OH 45410.  The event starts at 7:30pm, but it’s usually best to arrive early and find a seat. About half way through the speakers  there is usually an intermission (for beer and networking) and the presentations usually wrap up about 9:30pm

Elom grew up in Senegal, West Africa before making Dayton her home.

The lively Elom Dossa will be the  emcee. Speakers (not in this order) are:

Kevin Uppstrom – Photos from my world travels as a cargo pilot
Kristina Bilberry – My Catholic University Educated, Black, Female, Daytonian Privilege
Pat Santucci – Creative candy making
Aaron Glett – How to accomplish things when you are different
E. Andi Woods-Fasimpaur – Visual journaling
Marsha Theresa Danzig – Amputee yoga teacher and memoirist
Jude Walsh Whelley – Why I dance
Jill Davis – PK Dayton Founder

Slow Down Fast: How to Give a PK Presentation

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Pecha Kucha Dayton Volume 7 is at Yellow Cab, 700 East 4th, next Thursday, June 30 at 7:30pm. It’s free. Our sponsor, Dragonfly Editorial, is providing the beer. Eight speakers will present their

creations and ideas using the fast-paced 20×20 presentation style. Twenty slides that roll by at 20 seconds each, forcing the speaker to be brief but intense. Like a shot of espresso. You should try it.

PK has been called “beat the clock performance art,” a “chaotic culture mash with a relaxed vibe,” and “both an art form and competitive sport.” If the presenter tries to say too much, the slides can get ahead of them, “like they are being dragged down the street by a big dog chasing a squirrel.”

Strangely, despite the strict 20×20 rule, there’s freedom to innovate. It’s one of those things artists understand: you can be adventurous within tight boundaries. Which is maybe another reason you should try it.

PK Night 3 at The Cannery

The goal of Pecha Kucha is to highlight the energy of ideas in a party atmosphere. PK speakers are thinkers and doers from all walks. Designers, artists, writers, activists and anyone passionate about their work who can tell a story. Storytelling is key. Architects don’t just show pictures of their work. They reveal their inspirations, the creative process, their mistakes, their epiphanies and their hopes. Or gourd art. Or funk, as has happened. And it was fascinating.

Your topic can consist of anything that has grabbed your imagination and compels you to share. At Volume 7, artist and art professor Kevin Harris has titled his presentation “Tread.” Kevin creates drawings and prints combining traditional and digital art media, mind and body, eye and hand, camera and computer, printer and press. Writer J.T. Ryder will tell how he ended up producing the “Dirty Little Secret Variety Show.” Idea guy/politico David Esrati presents “The end of coin flip politics” or how to put the people you really want in charge. Actress Megan Cooper will tell of life without a car, restaurateur Kimberly Collett will share the ongoing saga of Olive, Kidtee Hello will treat us to her strikingly beautiful photography and Jeff Opt, Creative Circus, will explain how we all ended up at the Yellow Cab building listening to him and drinking beer.

Pecha Kucha Night is one of those things that feels different every time. It’s dependent on the space, the speakers, the beer (beer is the other PK rule) and the zeitgeist. So you never know. But seriously? You should try it.

The worldwide phenomenon Pecha Kucha (Japanese for “chatter”), devised in 2003 by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Tokyo‘s Klein-Dytham Architecture, has gone around the world virally. Today, PK nights are 418 cities worldwide. www.pecha-kucha.org. Dayton was granted its own PKN via a handshake agreement with Klein-Dytham for four volume per year minimum. Matt Sauer, architect with Rogero-Buckman, serves as Dayton’s PK coordinator with the help of Jill Davis, a local freelance writer. Jason Sheets, architect at Moda4 Design is the MC, which seems to be a more agreeable term than smartass. They’ve all tried it. It was fun.

This post submitted by guest columnist Jill Davis, one of the driving forces that brought Pecha Kucha to Dayton, and who continues to recruit, promote and nurture the presenters that make each PK night a unique sensation.