Knack will be hosting an exhibit of portraits and quotes from the Dayton Immigrant Portrait Project, Oct. 4-6, 4-8 pm each evening. This show is presented in conjunction with the Distinguished Speaker: Rev. Dan Groody, which is co-sponsored by Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Catholic Social Action Office in partnership with Weavers of Justice, a Catholic parish social action collaborative.
Visual Arts
Rebecca Sargent – Artist and Educator
Rebecca Sargent spends her days at K12 Gallery & TEJAS, Dayton’s leading arts education organization, which is in Dayton’s most colorful building.
“I started volunteering at K12 eighteen years ago” Rebecca told me. “Then I went to college at Wright State and taught art part-time at K12. I left to go to grad school in Philadelphia and came back to Dayton at the perfect time. K12 had just doubled their space and was adding TEJAS (Teen Educational Adult Studio). I was hired to coordinate TEJAS on a part- time basis and I also did the “adjunct shuffle” – teaching at Wright State, Sinclair Community College and Stivers School for the Arts. Then eight years ago I started working at K12 full time. Recently I was promoted to Program Director.”
“Working for a non-profit can be challenging. There’s so much work to do and the financial rewards aren’t great. But I love it. I feel very fortunate to be here.”
“Anytime I feel low, I can just walk around the building and see young artists like these, and then I cheer right up.”
Rebecca makes her own art in a studio at her home. She and her husband live in this home on a quiet side street in Dayton.
Rebecca paints in a converted garage at the rear of her home. It’s an ideal space, with lots of light from skylights she’s added. With the windows and the roses, it reminded me of a rustic cottage.
When I entered, I looked for Rebecca’s work bench. I make a habit of photographing work benches whenever I get the chance. No two are ever alike. Rebecca’s work bench didn’t disappoint, with its pens, pencils, brushes, papers for her collages, some paints, and a pile of garlic bulbs from her garden.
Her painting work table was less individualistic, but more colorful.
Before she starts a painting, Rebecca creates a collage that guides her as she paints. This collage was taped to the wall to the right of her easel.
When I visit some artists, they pretend to paint while I take photos. But Rebecca didn’t want to waste time. She had a few free days and she was going to make them count.
When I started watching her work, this canvas only had a background color. But in a relatively short amount of time Rebecca brought it to life, loosely guided by the collage.
This painting was for an exhibition that Rebecca and Ann B. Kim were having at Dutoit Gallery called “Same Same but Different.”
I asked Rebecca how long it takes her to complete a painting. “Once I’ve made the collages and worked out ideas as a starting point, I typically finish an individual painting in a few weeks. I’m a pretty fast painter and tend work in bursts. However, an entire series of 12-14 paintings will take me an entire year to complete.”
“I create work in a series, working on several paintings at one time. I tend to stop working on a painting before I totally finish it. Sometimes I fear that I’ll “over-work” the piece, or need to work out a few more ideas before I feel like I can finish it.”
“My work typically involves structures and architectural spaces. This series is different for me because I have added figures into these spaces. This presents a new challenge so far as paint handling. But I like this addition because it provides me the opportunity to further explore a narrative in my work.
Before leaving, I asked Rebecca to lay down her brush and pose for me.
A month or two after this visit I went to Rebecca’s show at Dutoit Gallery. I loved her work, especially the piece I watched her work on. The title of the piece was great: “Is Bill Still Watching?”
More of her work can be found at: rebeccasargent.com
Meet Ann B. Kim – Mixed Media Artist
Ann B. Kim is an accomplished artist and an active member of the Dayton arts community, but I didn’t reach out to meet her until I learned she was participating in a two-person exhibition in the Dutoit Gallery this September with my friend Rebecca Sargent.
Ann’s studio is in one of Dayton’s Front Street buildings.
These Front Street buildings are filled with artists and interesting small businesses, but they were originally built for manufacturing. They were part of an early factory development project based on water power. A company called Dayton Hydraulic Company bought the land in the 1840s and built a water channel from the Mad River that eventually emptied into Dayton’s canal. They sold the lots to all kinds of manufacturers and leased the use of the water to power the plants.
I climbed the industrial staircase and then entered Ann’s large studio.
I asked Ann how she came to Dayton.
“I went to school in the San Francisco area, first at UC Berkeley and then at Mills College. I came to this area to teach at Indiana University East in Richmond. My husband is from Dayton and we decided to live here and for me to keep my studio practice here, and drive to Richmond to teach.”
“I was a bit reluctant to leave San Francisco but it’s worked out well. I love my teaching job, and there is an active arts scene here with a lot of great artists. Plus the low cost of living is great.”
As we talked Ann was busy cutting and pasting bits of paper to an issue of the New Yorker.
I asked Ann how much time she gets to spend working in her studio.
“I’m pretty busy teaching during the week, but I try to spend most of the weekend here in the studio in a typical week. But this year isn’t going to have too many typical weeks because I have so much scheduled. I have the show with Rebecca Sargent in September, plus I’m vice president of the Dayton Society of Artists. In addition I will be circling the globe.”
“My travels will start in Vladivostok Russia. That’s the closest place I can visit to where my grandfather was born. Then I will travel to the end of the Trans Siberian Railroad, stopping at two places. In preparation for this trip I plan to learn something new – paper making. I want to learn both Eastern style paper making and Western style. This paper in front of me is Korean style paper sent to me by my mother.”
“I also plan to gather newspapers on my travels and use them in my art, along with the New York Times for those exact dates.”
“This year I will also have two residencies – one in Southern Spain for 2 months and one in New Zealand for a month. Those two places are antipodes. They are completely opposite points on the globe and the art I make at these places will reflect that.”
I know that Ann has exhibited extensively nationally and internationally, and I recognized some of the pieces in the studio from exhibition brochures I had seen. I asked Ann to tell me something about her mixed media work.
” You can see that I’m creating work that is layered with symbols of all kinds – past, present, future, fragmentation, artifacts, imagination all looped together so that various cultures and moments in time seem to coexist. ”
Before leaving, I asked Kim to help me create my own works of art. We moved a pink studio chair in front of one of her art works and she posed for me.
Call For Artists: Musical Themed Mural Wanted
This is a request for proposals for a mural that has a music theme to be located on the City of Dayton Transportation Center Garage.
The site is located near the future home of the Levitt Pavilion, Dayton’s free outdoor amphitheater planned to open at Dave Hall Plaza in 2018. The mural should reflect the spirit or music, musicians, and musical performance. The inclusion of Dayton’s rich musical past, present, and future, as well as any other interpretation of how music plays a role in our city’s rich cultural fabric is highly encouraged.
Location
The City of Dayton Transportation Center Garage is located in Downtown Dayton and bounded by Jefferson, Fourth, St. Clair, and Stone streets
Specifically, the mural will be installed on the west face of the garage (along Jefferson Street) focusing on the inset cement block walls (see image on the next page). This location is across Jefferson Street from the Levitt Pavilion site.
Goal
To enliven the Jefferson streetscape with a mural that has a music theme, which is appropriate due to the site’s proximity to the Levitt Pavilion and other establishments that feature live music.
Timeline
Call for Submission Opens September 1, 2017
Submission Deadline: October 9, 2017 midnight
Notification of Semi-Finalists: October 13, 2017
Final Design Deadline: October 23, 2017
Notification of Design Selection: October 27, 2017
Project Production: October 30-November 10, 2017
The proposed mural shall encompass at least the center of the three bays. That center bay is approximately 389 square feet in area, with the glass block windows not included. The left bay has the same height and width, but also has the door area. The right bay is approximately 383 square feet in area.
Background Information
The City of Dayton Transportation Center Garage, completed in 1973, was part of the Mid-Town Mart Urban Renewal Area. Over the years, it has primarily served patrons of the Dayton Convention Center and the Crowne Plaza Hotel. However, a number of recent developments have increased its role and importance for not just the immediate area, but all of Downtown Dayton.
In addition to the Convention Center and hotel, the garage serves or has the ability to serve a number of other downtown employers, Levitt Pavilion patrons, as well as to potentially serve patrons of the Oregon District entertainment area. This puts the Transportation Garage, arguably overlooked and underutilized for decades, as now having a cornerstone role in the increased density of visitors and activity in Downtown Dayton.
In association with this expanded role, the City of Dayton and its partners seek to improve the convenience, functionality, and visual impact of the garage. The garage was designed from a predominately utilitarian perspective four decades ago—and it shows. By applying relatively low-cost/high impact improvements, such as signage, lighting, and public art, we can increase usage and improve visitor experience.
Eligibility
Eligibility for the project is as follows:
· Any amateur or professional artist or designer age 18 and older is eligible to apply. Artists under the age of 18 may apply if they are part of a team with at least one member that is 18 or older.
· Applications must have primary residence within a 40-mile radius of downtown Dayton.
· Applications must submit a complete proposal through the CAFÉ system (callforentry.org).
· Submissions can be made by individuals, groups, classes or teams.
· Submission fee is $10 per application and open to the public within the eligible geography.
· Three Semi-Finalists will be selected to submit a final design.
· Final Design will be selected by a committee made up of Dayton and Levitt Pavillion officials and arts professionals.
· If selected, be available for a consultation with K12’s mural team in early November 2017.
· If selected, sign an agreement with project organizers.
Compensation
· Semi-Finalists will receive a modest stipend of $125 for to their final design.
· The selected artist will earn a $2,500 stipend for their design.
Proposal Requirements
Complete proposals shall include:
1. Application with complete contact information
2. Proposed site design – designs should be submitted as high resolution .jpg. Up to three images may be submitted from different vantage points, one of which should be rendered to scale applied to the intended building/surface.
3. In addition to submitting proposed designs, applicants may choose to include qualifications to install the mural, or submit designs only. If the submission is for design only, DVAC will contract with K12 Gallery Mural Production team to install the mural.
4. Résumé or brief biography of the artist/team’s experience with references
5. Examples of other relevant work samples – one minimum image, three maximum
6. Artist statement about the design, including a description of your design vision for the project, creative approach and other relevant information (one-page maximum)
7. $10.00 Application fee
Artist Morris T. Howard
Morris returned to his home town of Dayton a few years ago when his mother became ill. “I thought I would stay in Dayton for only a few weeks,” he told me. “That was a couple of years ago, and I’m still here.”
Since returning to Dayton, Morris has been welcomed into the area’s art community. He designed the mural that was installed at the Transportation Center Garage, across the street from The Neon Movie, last fall. Then he was chosen to paint a mural at Dayton Visual Arts Center called “Back in the Day When We Used to Dance.” Morris also teaches art for K12 Gallery and TEJAS at JCARE, one of the Montgomery County Juvenile Courts facilities where K12 coordinates art classes for court involved teens.
I saw that Morris was a perfectionist as he showed me some of his paintings. With each one, he told me what he could have done differently to make it better. The painting in this photo has already been shown in one exhibition, but Morris decided to change one small detail to improve the work.
This year his paintings have appeared in two Dayton exhibitions. The first, Dayton Skyscrapers, was shown at the Schuster Center, at the DP&L Headquarters, and at the Ebonia Gallery. The second, Breathing Deeply, Pushing Back, is currently at the Dayton Visual Arts Center.
I asked Morris if he planned to stay in Dayton. “I’m not sure if I will be staying here” he said “but it seems like people want me to stay. That’s a good feeling.”
Dayton Art Institute Names Chief Curator
The Dayton Art Institute has announced the appointment of Jerry N. Smith, Ph.D., as the museum’s Chief Curator, effective September 26.
“After an extensive national search, we are excited to welcome Dr. Jerry Smith to the museum and the Dayton community,” said The Dayton Art Institute’s Director & CEO Michael R. Roediger. “Dr. Smith possesses an extensive curatorial, scholarly and administrative background–skills that will be immediately utilized as the museum prepares for its centennial in 2019.”
In his role as Chief Curator, Smith will provide leadership to the museum’s curatorial department, guiding the vision of future collection installations and special exhibitions. A key part of that will be the reinstallation and reinterpretation of the museum’s permanent collection galleries, planned as part of The DAI’s centennial celebrations. The Dayton Art Institute’s permanent collection numbers more than 26,000 objects, with as many as 1,000 on view at any time.
“I’m excited to join the Dayton community and am looking forward to working with The Dayton Art Institute’s team,” Smith said. “With a world-class collection and storied history, The DAI has a tremendous amount to celebrate with its coming centennial. I’m honored to be part of that celebration.”
Smith most recently served as the Hazel and William Hough Chief Curator and Interim Director at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Florida. Prior, he held leadership positions at the Phoenix Art Museum for more than a decade, where he began as associate curator in 2005, was appointed to Curator of American and Western American Art in 2009, and later to Curator of American and European Art to 1950 and Art of the American West in 2014.
In these positions he introduced numerous works into the museums’ collections and oversaw more than 40 exhibitions that spanned the art of the Renaissance to American modernism and contemporary art of the American West. The diverse exhibitions he has curated or co-curated include Georgia O’Keeffe: Ingénue to Icon, Riding Tall: The Cowboy in Art, Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester and The Power of Observation and Andy Warhol: Portraits.
He was a contributing organizer and catalogue essayist for In Contemporary Rhythm: The Art of Ernest L. Blumenschein and Cézanne and American Modernism. Smith authored Howard Post: Western Perspectives, and was co-author of Don Coen: The Migrant Series. He recently collaborated on a chapter for Visitor-Centered Exhibitions and Edu-Curation in Art Museums (2017).
Smith holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in art history from Arizona State University and received his Ph.D. in the history of art from the University of Kansas. Active in The Association of Art Museum Curators, he serves in career support groups, as liaison between mentors and mentees, and currently sits on the governance and nominating committee.
Ladyfest Celebrates Dayton’s Female Creatives!
This weekend, don’t miss out on Ladyfest Dayton, the music & art festival that highlights the fabulous women of Dayton! The annual celebration is hosted over Labor Day weekend at Yellow Cab Tavern. Organizers state that they hope to bring together and inspire people through music, art, and education. While the festival itself is a celebration of women in the arts, their goal is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, regardless of gender identity.
Attending Ladyfest is not just cool, it’s also a way to give back directly to the community. Past Ladyfests have benefited PUSH Dayton, Artemis Center, and Planned Parenthood. In 2015, the festival raised $6,584.14 for WE CARE ARTS. In 2016 they raised $8,300 for the Dayton YWCA Shelter Services. LADYFEST 2017 will benefit Oak Tree Corner.
Keep scrolling for details on how to go to the event, who will be there, and what to enjoy!
How to Go:
FRIDAY SEPT 1: 7pm-1am
SATURDAY SEPT 2: 5pm-1am
at Yellow Cab Tavern
Cost: $10 pre-sale
Children under 12 are free
Friday September 1st, 2017
8pm – Spanish Tony Sanchez
8:30 – Cricketbows
9 – Team Void
9:30 – ThunderTaker
10 – Fairmount Girls
10:30 – Counterfeit Madison
11 – Enzo
11:30 – Mary Lynn
12 – SKRT
12:30 – Yikes a Band
From Ladyfest 2016
Saturday September 2nd, 2017
5:30pm – Talking About the Young Sound Showcase
6:30 – Rite of Venus
7 – Kyleen Downes Band
7:30 – Jess Lamb and The Factory.
8 – Lipstick Fiction
8:30 – Calamity Day
9 – Cherubim
9:30 – The Jettisons
10 – Moira
10:30 – Jasper the Colossal
11 – Lung
11:30 – Ladyfest Announcements/Thank yous
11:45 – Erika Wennerstrom
12:30 – Abertooth Lincoln
Visual Art Presented by:
Presley Wells
Ava Roseberry
Johnna LaFaith
Whitney Marie
Sam Chamberlain
Viktoria K Dekay
Jes McMillan
Erin Manning
Fe Meier
Amber Gwin
Amberlynne Crain
Aria-Blair Bottorff
Emily Lux
Erica Blackstock
Gabrielle Renee Ross
Hannah Buchanan
Jimmy Nabler
Kara Macko
Kelsey Lynn Tyree
Theresa F Lopez
Jen Dyke
Alyshia Alagiak Osborn
Michelle A. Carr
Clara Coleman
Chyanne Moore
Ellen Bukvic
Misty Dawn Brothers
Jess Fecke
Tiffany Clark
Kelsey Esken
Jordan Contway
Abigail Ryan Carpenter
Rachael Lare
Khrys Blank, Sharon A. Lane and Jennifer Taylor at Ladyfest 2016.
Local Vendors:
Lady Creepshow Couture, Jessica Dubis Jewelr,
Dottie P, Miss Motleys, Moonlit Glass
Pam’s Stepping Stones, Ohio Henna,
Flower Child Face Painting Co,
Lissa Lush, Rusty Clementine, Quilted Kat
Pining For Signs, Earthly Rearrangements ,
Tasha’s Common Scents, Barefoot Girl Soap Company ,
lstonerocksesigns ,Vintage Lady Vinyl
Food Trucks:
Zombie Dogz
Wicked ‘Wich
Comedy Showcase hosted by Karen Jaffe
Poetry Showcase from Dayton Poetry Slam
CeCe, Nicole Combs Alex Montgomery, Tina Puntasecca, Sima, Quiet Storm, Page Turner, Furaha, Kaity Lovitt. Sydny, CoCo
Acoustic Stage
Mandy Jewell , Pamela Baugham
Kat & Geoff, Blossom Hall
Kate Wakefield , Georgia Goad, Moriah Haven , Sharon Lane, Reyna Spears
Luminaries of Dayton: The Dog as a Cemetery Symbol
The dog symbolizes loyalty, fidelity, watchfulness and vigilance.
The most famous dog at Woodland is the one found atop the monument of Johnny Morehouse, one of the most well-known and visited monuments at Woodland.
There are more than one hundred thousand of Dayton’s finest citizens buried at Woodland Cemetery, but no tombstone or monument commands as much respect and attention as “The Boy & Dog.”
The monument, with 5 year old Johnny and his large canine friend, has been at Woodland for over 155 years. The stone is still in excellent condition. A number of years ago, a large tree nearby fell during a storm and knocked the head off the dog. It was quite an undertaking but the head was re-attached by then Woodland horticulturist, Jim Sandegren, and the monument was once again, as good as new.
For visitor attraction, perhaps the “Boy & Dog” has caused more tears and aroused more interest than any other at the cemetery. The monument, faithful in detail, shows Johnny’s top and his ball, his mouth harp and his little cap. On the base of the monument is the inscription, “In Slumber Sweet.” The monument stands about five feet high, has the dog, perhaps an Irish setter, watching over his sleeping master and Johnny’s head is gently resting against the body of his pet.
Little Johnny Morehouse lived at the SW corner of East Third and June Streets. The truth concerning the death of Johnny and his pet are not known. Two accounts have been speculated. One account speaks to how Johnny, who was five years old, had fallen into the river and the dog jumped in and saved his little master’s life by pulling him from the river. Walter W. Morehouse, a relative of the little boy, and former Director of the City Water Department, believed that the story was true, at least that he always heard it was true. The second account, whether truth or legend cannot be said, is that the boy was drowning and the dog also perished trying to save him, and that the ball, jacks, toy top and the and the mouth harp that are represented on the stone in granite, supposedly were in the boy’s pockets when he was recovered from the water. Investigators trying to trace the truth of this legend, in spite of their detailed search, have found no evidence to support either account. Friends of the family interviewed during the later 1890s say merely that the monument only symbolizes the deep love between the child and his pet. Johnny Morehouse died on August 14, 1860 at five years of age. He is located in Section 82 Lot 546.
Another story passed down is that the dog, still faithful to his master, would come to the cemetery and lay at the grave site of Johnny. Local artist and sculptor, Daniel La Dow, who is also buried at Woodland was the creator of the beautiful and peaceful monument. Many people who come to visit “The Boy & Dog” bring a gift for both Johnny and his canine friend such as small toys, pennies, candy and even biscuits for the dog.
Woodland Cemetery, founded in 1841, is one of the nation’s oldest rural garden cemeteries and a unique cultural, botanical and educational resource in the heart of Dayton, Ohio. Visit the cemetery and arboretum and take one of the many tours Woodland offers free of charge. Most of Dayton’s aviation heroes, inventors and business barons are buried at Woodland.
Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is located at 118 Woodland Avenue off of Brown Street near the University of Dayton Campus. The Woodland Office is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to 12 pm. The Cemetery and Arboretum are open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. The Mausoleum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, call 937-228-3221 or visit the Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum website.
Five Ways to Enjoy Art on the Commons
Rosewood Arts Centre’s premier annual event, Art on the Commons, is almost here! This fine arts and crafts festival has been going strong for 29 years – next year, we celebrate the big 3-0. The festival features over 100 artists in a variety of media. All the artwork is juried to make sure the quality is top notch. Perusing the booths is a great way to spend a Sunday. Here are some of the many fun things to check out at the event, affectionately known around here as AOTC!
1. All the art
So, 100 artists. As always, it’s a great mix of new folks and returning favorites. This year’s categories are ceramics, digital art, fiber/leather, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture, works on paper and wood.
We mentioned jurying – wondering what that means? Our three jurors, Lisa Goldberg, owner of Lisa Goldberg Ceramics, Mary Gray, Director of the Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery, and Pat Higgins, Vice President of the Kettering Arts Council, reviewed all the AOTC submissions and ranked each artist based on design, originality, presentation, audience appeal and eligibility. Come see (and buy) the artwork that stood out from the crowd.
2. The setting
You might have noticed that we’re all about Kettering’s parks. And why wouldn’t we be? Lincoln Park is home to
beautiful flowers, Kettering’s iconic fountains, lots of public art, and it features plenty of green spaces, shade trees and benches for resting your feet. Come enjoy the park while it’s bustling with people and full of even more great artwork.
3. Live music
Art on the Commons has featured live music for several years now. This year, we’re changing things up a little to bring you the sweet sounds of the WYSO Excursions Stage with Niki Dakota. Bringing listeners eclectic sounds from around the world and from closer to home, WYSO especially loves to champion local artists and music that embodies the diversity of the Miami Valley. Rosewood Arts Centre and WYSO are delighted to showcase the uniqueness of Art on the Commons and of our local music heroes. The stage will feature Daniel Dye & the Miller Road Band, Shrug, Lioness and The Pullouts. Give it a listen – it’s free!
4. Food trucks
The region is home to some pretty fabulous food trucks. A tasty selection will be at AOTC, so come hungry. Harvest Mobile offers chef-prepared, locally sourced favorites; Sweet P’s Handcrafted Ice Pops will keep you cool in the August heat (we’ve never met a Sweet P’s flavor we didn’t like, by the way); Bella Sorella Pizza is serving up wood-fired deliciousness; and BJ Events has the Greek food we dream about the other 364, non-AOTC days of the year. Seriously, the gyros.
The Fraze Pavilion’s Ernie’s Concessions will also be open for business with festival favorites like hot dogs, nachos and pretzels.
5. Family fun
Families with littles are more than welcome at AOTC. There’s even a selection of free activities just for you! Kids are welcome to make finger puppets, beaded jewelry and an amazing origami Viking ship. The new Kaleidoscope van will make its first trip to AOTC to lead a fun art and nature activity all about the butterfly! The talented Rosewood faculty will also be on hand to show off their skills at fiber arts, jewelry making, painting and drawing.
This piece was written by Sara Thomas and originally appeared on www.playkettering.org and is reprinted with permission.
Dayton Visual Arts: Community Supported Art- Harvest Party
For DVAC’s 2017 CSA, fifty shares are made available to the public for $350 per share. Four amazing artists are commissioned to create an image (at least 8 x 10 inches in size and not larger than 11 x 17) for shareholders in an edition of 50.
Shareholders receive two original, signed photographs and two original, signed prints, totaling four images, at a late summer Harvest Party.
Nigerian Artist Showcases his Jazz Series
Ben Ibebe is an internationally known African artist based in Nigeria. His works are held in major museums and private collections around the world.
Ben focuses on images of West Africa using vibrant, captivating and very tactile paintings in oil and mixed media. Featuring everyday scenes of Nigerian life, Ben’s unique impasto technique give each art work an almost three-dimensional surface, adding character to bright colors and geocentric composition.
Ben has returned to Dayton for the third straight year with 18 new works, including the first six pieces from his powerful “Jazz” series. You can catch a preview of the exhibit tonight, Thurs, July 6th from 5-8pm at The Front Street Building
Dayton At Work and Play: Connie Hanselman
ARTIST OF THE WEEK Connie Hanselman in her home studio.
When I first met Connie she had an easel set up in front of a friend’s house. She was doing a painting of the house, but when it was done it somehow showed more than just the house. In Connie’s words, “My paintings of real objects give solid form to spiritual ideas – like the struggles of life and the gifts that emerge from those struggles.”
Connie received her art training at Wright State, and then worked for nearly two decades illustrating at WPAFB. Some of her art can be found at Gallery 510 Fine Art (508 E 5th St in the Oregon District).
Connie is in a group called “Lady Painters of Dayton” that had an exhibition at the Dayton Society of Artists last year. I asked her about that group.
“We get together once a month. We show a painting we’re working on and get ideas from the group about that painting. Members include Bridgette Bogle Tina Eisenhart Michele BonDurant Mychaelyn Michalec Sabrina Pryor Jennifer Bristol and Rebecca Sargent.”
US Debut for Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence Is At DAI
The Dayton Art Institute will be the first museum in the United States to host the new touring exhibitionUbuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence.
Ubuhle Women presents a spectacular overview of a new form of bead art, called the ndwango (“cloth”), developed by a community of women living and working together in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The special exhibition opens June 24 and will be on view at the museum through September 10.
Ubuhle (pronounced Uh-Buk-lay) means “beauty” in the Xhosa and Zulu languages and describes the shimmering quality of light on glass that for the Xhosa people has a special spiritual significance. From a distance, each panel of the ndwango seems to present a continuous surface; but as the viewer moves closer and each tiny, individual bead catches the light, the meticulous skill and labor that went into each work—the sheer scale of ambition—becomes stunningly apparent. A single panel can take more than 10 months to complete.
“Like all art, the works on display in Ubuhle Women are products of their context, providing guests with an opportunity to experience a new perspective,” said Katherine Ryckman Siegwarth, The Dayton Art Institute’s in-house curator for the exhibition. “These artworks present various topics relevant to the artists’ lives—financial stability, health issues, and importance of family, as well as how artworks can serve as memorials to those lost. These themes are universal and relatable topics to our guests, making the artworks accessible as well as impactful.”
The plain black fabric that serves as a foundation for the Ubuhle women’s exquisite beadwork is reminiscent of the Xhosa headscarves and skirts that many of them wore growing up. By stretching this textile like a canvas, the artists use colored Czech glass beads to transform the flat cloth into a contemporary art form of remarkable visual depth. Using skills handed down through generations, and working in their own unique style “directly from the soul” (in the words of artist Ntombephi Ntobela), the women create abstract as well as figurative subjects for their ndwangos.
Migration has defined the history of modern South Africa. The late-19th-century discovery of gold and diamonds—and, to a lesser extent, the cultivation of sugar cane—transfigured South African society with its demands for a large, flexible workforce of able men. As workers left their homesteads in rural areas to earn cash salaries, traditional social systems based on direct production from the land began to change. Low pay and harsh working conditions forced many cane cutters to live apart from their wives and families for up to nine months of the year, which led to a breakdown of family life and traditional values. Ubuhle was conceived in response to this social and cultural transformation.
Established in 1999 by two women—Ntombephi “Induna” Ntobela and Bev Gibson—on a former sugar plantation in KwaZulu-Natal, Ubuhle began as a way of creating employment for rural women by combining traditional skills and making them profitable. By incorporating a skill that many local women already had—beadwork, a customary form of artistic expression for generations of South African women—and teaching it to those who did not, they began to provide women with a private source of income and a route to financial independence.
Since 2006, the Ubuhle community has lost five artists to HIV/AIDS and other illnesses, nearly halving the number of active artists. Many of the ndwangos thus function as memorials to Ubuhle sisters who have lost their lives. Remembering the dead is a key motivation for the creation of many of these artworks, and it imbues them with a spiritual significance.
Due to the slow, meticulous process of creating a ndwango, the act of beading itself becomes a form of therapy: a way of setting down the issues that are closest to the artists’ hearts; a way of grieving; and a place to encode feelings and memories. In a sense—through their presence in the artist’s thoughts during the act of creation—the deceased enter the very fabric of the work, and so the ndwango becomes a site of memory.
The Ubuhle community exists today due mainly to the determination of Bev Gibson and Ntombephi Ntobela. Ntombephi is a master beader from the Eastern Cape whose tremendous skill, both as artist and teacher, has been the foundation block of this community. Ntombephi is known as “Induna,” which means “leader,” a term of great respect in South Africa. The title also suggests the responsibility she feels for the community as guardian of its future. Bev herself does not bead, but she has created the space for Ubuhle artists to explore, experiment, and transform the traditional art form. Bev has also been an indomitable source of energy and persistence in the emergence of Ubuhle’s growing vision. She and Ntombephi each bring their own unique skills to the establishment of the community, and it is largely thanks to them that these works exist at all.
“The Dayton Art Institute is thrilled to be the first venue for this new touring exhibition, which was originally developed by the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum,” said The Dayton Art Institute’s Director and CEO Michael R. Roediger. “Not only is the artwork beautiful, but the stories of the artists are also extremely moving. These dazzling artworks will amaze everyone who sees them—you do not want to miss this exhibition!”
The Dayton Art Institute’s presentation of Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence receives support from Benefactor Sponsor Premier Health; Patron Sponsor Macy’s; Supporting Sponsors Liberty Health Care Corporation, Miller-Valentine Group and Synchrony Financial; Community Partner Central State University; Media Partners Dayton Daily News and WHIO-TV; with additional support from American Medical Response, Bead Stash, Dayton Chapter of Links, Inc., and Dr. Grace L. DeVelbiss, Frownies Skin Care, IGS Energy, School of Advertising Art, Taft/, and University of Dayton; JPS Preview Reception Sponsor is Jessup Wealth Management.
A number of events and programs will be held in conjunction with the exhibition, including:
- ARTventures: Beaded Butterflies, July 8, 1–3 p.m.
- Vine & Canvas Wine Tasting Series: Women & Wine, July 14, 6:30–9 p.m.
- Draw from the Collection: Contemporary Beading, July 15, 1–3 p.m.
- Curatorial Conversations: Ubuhle Women Exhibition Tour, July 20, 6–7 p.m.
- Tony West and the Imani Dancers, August 12, 1–2 p.m.
- Behind the Scenes of Ubuhle Women, August 31, 1–3 p.m.
For more about the exhibition and related programs, visit daytonartinstitute.org/ubuhlewomen. Use the hashtag #UbuhleWomen to join the conversation on social media.
Admission to Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence is free for museum members. Non-member admission is $14 adults; $11 seniors (60+), students (18+ w/ID), active military and groups (10 or more); $6 youth (ages 7-17); and free for children (ages 6 & under). Prices include admission to the special exhibition and the museum’s permanent collection. Guided tours are available for individuals, groups and schools. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Rique Hagen, at 937-223-4278, ext. 332 or schooltours@daytonart.org.
Tickets for the exhibitions and related programs may be purchased at the museum’s Guest Services Desk or by phone at 937-223-4ART (4278) during regular hours, or online at daytonartinstitute.org. Connect with The Dayton Art Institute on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for additional information, behind-the-scenes photos and exclusive offers.
Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence was developed by the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, Washington, D.C., in cooperation with Curators Bev Gibson, Ubuhle Beads, and James Green, and is organized for tour by International Arts & Artists, Washington, D.C.
Annual DeWeese Art in the Garden Affaire – Call For Artists
The DeWeese Ridgecrest Civic Association is looking for artists to become a part of the Annual DeWeese Art in the Garden Affaire, which will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2017 from 10am – 5pm. If you’d like to show and sell your artwork contact the arts ambassador at artinthegardenaffaire@gmail.com Booth space runs $25, which includes a tent, a table and one chair.
Welcome to DeWeese-Ridgecrest… A unique neighborhood of which we’re proud!
DeWeese-Ridgecrest is a nature preserve located along the banks of the renowned Stillwater River and is the only neighborhood in Dayton that is almost completely surrounded by parks and just five minutes from downtown Dayton. The neighborhood is a picturesque showcase reflecting the care that its residents have shown in preserving the character and attractiveness of its green space. From the turn of the century to the present, people from all walks of life have been attracted to the neighborhood with its wide variety of homes, wooded lots, and recreational facilities. As we move toward the future we’re even more aware of the importance of preserving our unique neighborhood while realizing the importance of keeping pace with progress. You are important to this process! Only by remaining a strong neighborhood group can we influence decisions affecting our area. We invite you to become a member of the DeWeese-Ridgecrest Civic Association.
Artist Amy Deal Depicts Dayton
Amy Deal with her winning designs. Photo by Val Beerbower
Oakwood artist Amy Deal’s art continues to decorate our city.
In 2015 her design was selected as the winner from over 80 submissions to grace the flood wall at RiverScape. Her 1000 foot mural that depicts biking, hiking and paddling also pays homage to the Wright brothers and the Dayton area’s history with bicycles.
You may have also seen her work on the walls of White-Allen Chevrolet on North Main Street. This two year project has gone up in stages, with the south side wall being put up last November.
K12/TEJAS is transferring art this week for the North side of building. It will be a mural of Dayton inventions. In this section you can see a stackable precast concrete stairwell unit, backpack parachute, all steel propeller, part of the self-starter, and part of the pop top. Here’s a sneak peek from Amy’s Facebook page:
Just this week the brand new Kroger in Centerville has installed a piece of Amy’s work “A Great Place To Live.” This project in conjunction with Dayton Visual Arts Center (DVAC) represents Amy’s vision of the region’s great assets, including stone buildings, paved bike paths, parks, fishing, and our rivers.
A sign hanging next to the installation reads:
Amy Deal was born and raised in St. Henry, Oh, received her BFA from Kent State University, and resides in Dayton. She is a fine artist and freelance visual communicator. Amy’s work weaves typography and pigment to create poetic, layered landscapes.
A Great Place To Live illustrates the welcoming spirit of Centerville, alone with nearby Bellbrook and Sugarcreek Township. Taking great pride in the excellent schools, parks and historic buildings and bridges, recreational offerings, and events, our residents are devoted to our community. Scenes of blue skies, neighborhood concerts, sugar maple tapping, fishing, canoeing , and its celebrated network of trails, are painted atop vintage cookbook pages from Centerville schools, churches and lady’s organizations. The cookbook pages are also used for cut letterforms that spell out some of the area’s favorite activities and events. See if you can find ART ON THE TRACE or SUGAR MAPLE FESTIVAL.
Want to see more of Amy’s work? The Dayton Society of Artist (DSA) Spring Show is on display through Saturday at 48 High Street.
Thanks to Bill Franz for the cover photo for this story. Mural pictures came from Amy’s Facebook page.
It’s Art Museum Day!
The DAI will waive its suggested admission and offer free general admission to the permanent collection on Thursday, May 18, 11:00 am – 8:00 pm, as part of the celebration of the Association of Art Museum Directors’ (AAMD) Art Museum Day, coinciding with International Museum Day.
Free Meet the Museum tours will be offered at 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. (meet in the Entrance Rotunda). From 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., guests can sample art studio programs in The Lange Family Experiencenter studio.
The DAI will also offer $10 off the purchase of a new Individual, Duo or Family Membership on May 18.
In addition, special pricing of $5 will be offered for that evening’s Curatorial Conversations gallery talk, which will look at the focus exhibition Red: Endless Attraction in Gallery 218. The talk begins at 6:00 p.m. and is limited to 20 people; advance reservations are recommended by calling 937-223-4278.
The theme of this year’s Art Museum Day is Art Museums Foster Vibrant Communities. AAMD members across the United States, Canada, and Mexico will offer programs and initiatives to celebrate the arts and the important role art museums play in their communities. In addition to bringing the best of human creativity to people across North America, museums serve as engines for the creative economy, partners with school systems and civic organizations, and anchors for public spaces and neighborhoods, making their regions better places for everyone who lives and works there.
Share your experiences on Art Museum Day via social media, using the hashtags #ArtMuseumDay and #DAIselfie.
