Walking the halls of Front Street on a weekday morning, and things are fairly quiet. The art galleries are closed and the artists are working in their studios. Then I follow the sound of accordion music and find Charlie Campbell. Charlie and his wife recently sold their Oakwood home and moved to a downtown apartment. He’s using a small space at Front Street as an accordion practice area.
Years ago, when I had my first solo exhibition in Dayton, Charlie played his accordion at the opening. People probably enjoyed Charlie’s personality and his music more than they enjoyed my photos. I visited Charlie at Front Street to thank him because he’s doing the same thing again. Charlie will play the accordion at the opening of “In The Neighborhood” featuring my photos from 66 Dayton neighborhoods and Doug Fiely’s paintings inspired by scenes from Dayton’s neighborhoods. The show opens at K12 Gallery and TEJAS (341 South Jefferson) Thursday, April 2, 6:30 to 8:30.
Many of you know Charlie as one of Dayton’s biggest boosters. Each week he sends his online newsletter “It’s Great in Dayton” to more than 7,000 people. If you’d like to get the newsletter, go to http://