Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Visual Arts

DAI Presents: Black Heritage Through Visual Rhythms

By

The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) has partnered with Dayton’s own African American Visual Artists Guild (AAVAG) to present the juried exhibitionBlack Heritage Through Visual Rhythms, on view at the DAI from February 26 through May 22.

This marks the seventh annual showcase of Black Heritage Through Visual Rhythmsorganized by the African American Visual Artists Guild and the first time the exhibition will be hosted at the Dayton Art Institute.

This national, juried exhibition highlights exceptional contemporary art–including paintings, sculpture, multi-media art, printmaking and photography–by nationally recognized and emerging African American artists from across the United States. Black Heritage Through Visual Rhythms features more than 80 works of art by 44 American artists of African descent working today.

“This exhibition has been several years in the making,” said DAI Chief Curator and Director of Education, Jerry N. Smith. “Initially planned for 2020, it is exciting to see it finally come to fruition. We now have the opportunity to present these vibrant works of individual expression by more than 40 artists to our guests. It will prove a memorable experience for those who visit.”

“African American art is so deeply intertwined with the history of race in the United States—from colonial enslavement, to the civil rights movement, to today,” said AAVAG President, B. Cato Mayberry. “The works presented at the Black Heritage Through Visual Rhythmsexhibition are far more than a group of personal statements about identity or recorded moments in history. They have power, beauty and meaning that extend beyond categorization to achieve timeless, universal appeal.”

The mix of local and national artists in the exhibition represents 11 different states. Responding to a call-for-entry, the final works were selected by internationally recognized artists Dean Mitchell (Florida) and Andrew Scott (Texas), with additions by AAVAG Exhibition Committee members.

As this exhibition demonstrates, there is no over-arching African American style or singular Black American aesthetic. The exhibition reflects the diverse backgrounds and different interests of the artists and includes art in in a variety of styles and media. Through personal expressions, the artists engage with and respond to different aspects of world history, African American culture and the shared legacy of African diaspora, the displacement from an ancestral land. There are also visual responses to present-day experiences, which are expressed through thought-provoking social commentaries.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a full-color catalog, available for purchase at the DAI’s Museum Store, and the exhibition’s Best in Show winner will be presented the opportunity to be featured in a 2023 Focus Exhibition at the Dayton Art Institute.

“It is exciting to bring this unique exhibition to the Dayton Art Institute and highlight both established and emerging African American artists,” said DAI Director & CEO, Michael R. Roediger. “This exhibition is a DAI exclusive, so it’s the only opportunity to see this amazingly diverse body of work. We encourage the entire community to support the exhibition and these artists!”

Several related programs and educational resources will be offered in conjunction withBlack Heritage Through Visual Rhythms. These include:

  • Curatorial Conversations talk on Zoom: March 24
  • Curatorial Conversations talk in person at the museum: May 7
  • Interactive Virtual Community Tours on Zoom:
    • March 5, 19 & 31
    • April 16 & 28
    • May 14, 19 & 21
    • Additional sessions available upon request; contact [email protected]for more information
  • Panel Discussion with members of the African American Visual Artists Guild: April 22
  • ARTventures at Home: Families can download an interactive art-making guide to create a work of art inspired by the exhibition.
  • At-Home Portrait Collage: Downloadable instructions to design a portrait collage inspired by the exhibition.

For more information about Black Heritage Through Visual Rhythms and its related programs, go to www.daytonartinstitute.org/blackheritage.

 

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition

By

A life-sized, up-close, never-before-seen perspective!

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Experience is true to size, hands free, and perfect for our socially distant yet innovative world. This exhibit is reproduced using state-of-the-art technology and is suitable for all audiences, relying on a spacious area where Michelangelo’s masterpieces stretch floor-to-ceiling and closer than ever. The experience will awaken visitors’ curiosity by presenting a never-before-seen perspective of his timeless masterpieces.
The Exhibition showcases the awe and wonder of arguably one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements while allowing its visitors to experience this art from an up-close, life-size, and never-before-seen perspective. With special expertise and care, the ceiling paintings from the Sistine Chapel have been reproduced in a truly unique way using licensed high-definition photos.

Brought to life using a special printing technique that emulates the look and feel of the original paintings, visitors are given a chance to engage with the artwork in ways that were never before possible: seeing every detail, every brushstroke, and every color of the artist’s 34 frescoes. Each image is accompanied by informative signage, and audio guides are available to rent for an even more in-depth experience. This globally successful exhibition is an innovative and unique interpretation of Michelangelo’s timeless masterpiece. Whether visitors have already been to the Sistine Chapel or not, everyone can admire the artwork up close, at their own pace, and with the ability to capture photographic memories of this iconic work. The average guest takes 60-90 minutes to view the exhibit.  This is a walkthrough exhibit but there are benches for seating at various points.
Tickets on sale at: https://sistinechapelexhibit.com/dayton/
Wednesday – Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Sunday: 11am – 5:30pm
Cost: Starting at $19 for adults and $13.30 for kids (Discounted tickets are available for seniors, students and military)
Display at Mall at Fairfield Commons (Upper level of previous Elder-Beerman) Beavercreek, OH.

“New Year New Art” at the ARTery

By

Well 2021 is in the rearview mirror and 2022 is on our horizon!  The ARTery will be presenting “New Year, New Art”, a New Gallery show containing NEW art created by our artists and artisans that has never been on display in our Gallery before.  This New Year, New Art exhibit will be on display for the month of January so drop in during our monthly open gallery times, 1st Fridays from 5 – 9pm, and 3rd Sundays from 11am – 4pm.

The ARTery would also like to introduce our highlighted Artist of the Month for January, Fabienne Bee. Bee is a colorful, and imaginative painter whose dynamic work appears to be glowing with light and adorned with rich, luscious colors.  Part of her secret is in her unique use of complementary colors and layering techniques.   We do hope you will take time to come check out her amazing body of paintings currently on display at the ARTery in January, and meet this very personable artist.

Fa

“Spring Morning“ Acrylic Painting by Fabienne Bee

Fabienne Bee is an Ohio based artist who has been honing her artistic talents off and on for most of her life.  As a military spouse, she and her family have traveled and seen and lived in many places around the world.  Her French heritage coupled with being exposed to many different styles of art through her years of living abroad bring a unique approach to her paintings.  Bee said her work is greatly inspired and influenced by the great Impressionist painters of old like Monet, for his use of color, Pissarro for his landscapes and Cezanne’s early work in particular in regard to his use of color and his landscape paintings.

Fabienne’s art begins with a classical approach in landscapes, but she doesn’t stop there.  She finds inspiration in playing with the mood of a scene and exaggerating colors to achieve a heightened sense of her awe for nature and its many hidden beauties.  Her hope is that her paintings will transport the viewer to another place and time, filling them with a sense of peace and calm, giving them an opportunity to escape the fast pace and hecticness of our world today.  “Spring Morning” is a 15”x18” Acrylic Painting of Bee’s capturing the quite stillness and serene beauty of a forest at daybreak.  This piece and many more are currently on display at the ARTery Gallery.

The ARTery Gallery currently has Artists and Artisans with work on display including Watercolor, Acrylic, and Oil Painting, Digital art, Photography, Mixed Media, Printmaking, Ceramics, Jewelry, Fiber Art and Sculpture. Open Each Month 1st Friday 5-9 & 3rd Sunday, 11-4.

Current ARTery Artists include:  Fabienne Bee, Alison Bour, Rosalie Campbell, Samantha Farkas, Bob Farley, Carol Farley, Jim Hayes, Kelly Ingerson, Bonnie Kuntz, Sarah Maxwell, Melanie Morrett, Ashley Simons, Ryan Taylor, Jo Anne Vincent, Leonard Williams, and David Zawisa.

 

Article submitted by Melanie Morrett, the ARTery Gallery Marketing  Coordinator

DAI Announces Special Exhibitions For 2022

By

As the new year approaches, the Dayton Art Institute (DAI) is excited to announce a diverse lineup of exhibitions for 2022, highlighted by the Special Exhibition Black Heritage Through Visual Rhythms and the Focus Exhibition Van Gogh and European Landscapes, as well as several other DAI-exclusive exhibitions.

“The exhibitions for 2022 will be memorable and enjoyable,” said DAI Chief Curator & Director of Education, Jerry N. Smith. “We will introduce works by living artists from across the country, celebrate how conservation helps us preserve the many treasures within our outstanding collection and will feature one of the most intriguing photographers working today. We will also bring a pair of remarkable paintings by Vincent van Gogh to Dayton, along with a host of diverse offerings.”

2022 SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS

The DAI will return to presenting three large Special Exhibitions in 2022.

The Special Exhibition season kicks off in February, with the DAI exclusive Black Heritage Through Visual Rhythms, on view February 26–May 22. Presented in collaboration with Dayton’s own African American Visual Artists Guild, this juried exhibition will feature exceptional contemporary art by African American artists from across the United States. This will mark the seventh annual presentation of Black Heritage Through Visual Rhythms and its first time being hosted at DAI. The exhibition’s Best in Show winner will be featured in a 2023 Focus Exhibition at the DAI.

A close look at how conservation protects artworks for future generations will be the subject of DAI’s summer exhibition, Art for the Ages: Conservation at DAI, on view June 25–September 11. Organized by the Dayton Art Institute, the museum will be the exclusive venue for this exhibition. Presenting rarely displayed works, as well as favorites seen in a new light, it includes examples from a variety of time periods, cultures and materials.

The 2022 Special Exhibition season concludes in the fall with American Myth and Memory: David Levinthal Photographs, on view October 15, 2022–January 15, 2023. This touring exhibition, organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, brings together highlights from Levinthal’s fascinating photographs of toys as a way to examine American stories.

 

2022 FOCUS EXHIBITIONS

The DAI’s Focus Exhibition lineup presents a series of smaller, intimate exhibitions, based around a variety of themes.

The 2022 Focus Exhibition season will be highlighted by the work of the world’s most famous artist, Vincent van Gogh. In Van Gogh and European Landscapes, on view March 5–September 4, a remarkable pair of Van Gogh paintings, on loan to the DAI, will be at the center of this look at European landscape painting.

Other planned Focus Exhibitions include:

Fired Imagination: Ancient Chinese Ceramics from the Nancy and Ed Rosenthal Family Collection, on view February 5–July 24, presents a private collection of ceramics, ranging from figures to vessels and spanning more than 3,000 years of Chinese history.

Mysteries abound in Something Unknown, on view March 12–June 5, a display of photographs and works on paper in which details about the work, such as the identity of the artist, the subject matter, the location, etc., are unknown to the museum. Maybe you can help the DAI solve a mystery!

Netsuke and the Art of Little Wonders, on view August 27, 2022–February 12, 2023, features netsuke, which are delicately carved personal accessories that depict subjects from popular culture–such as heroes, monsters and folk tales–in Japan during the Edo period (1615–1868).

Additional Focus Exhibitions will be announced in the new year. For more information and updates about both Special and Focus Exhibitions at the DAI, go to www.daytonartinstitute.org/exhibitions.

“Our curatorial team has put together an outstanding selection of exhibitions for 2022,” said DAI Director & CEO Michael R. Roediger. “You won’t want to miss any of these, especially the rare opportunity to see the work of Vincent van Gogh here in Dayton. I encourage you to consider becoming a museum member, which gives you unlimited free admission to the museum, as well as many other benefits.”

Through the end of this year, the DAI is offering a special holiday membership discount–get 15% off the cost of select new and gift memberships through December 31, 2021. To take advantage of this offer, visit the DAI Guest Services Desk or call 937-223-4278 during regular museum hours, or purchase online at www.daytonartinstitute.org/membership using the discount code HOLIDAY2021 at checkout.

Be sure to also include a visit to the DAI in your holiday plans. Current exhibitions at the museum include Ralston Crawford: Air + Space + War, on view through January 23, Norman Rockwell: Stories of Emotion, on view through February 13, Formless Form V: The Calligraphy of Ronald Y. Nakasone andSpotlight on Africa: Gifts from Dianne Komminsk, both on view through January 2, Within Reach of All: Early Dayton Photography, on view through February 6, and Beyond the Woodblock, on view through March 6.

 

Dayton at Work and Play: Abiona Venee Pleasant

By

I heard that my friend Abi, of Art Glass by Abiona had a new studio, so I paid her a visit.
“I’ve wanted my own glass shop for quite a while” she told me. “I had planned to buy a building in the city with a partner who is a great glass artist. But when the pandemic hit we decided against it. I started renting space all over – in Springfield, Cincinnati, even up to Toledo.”
“Then I decided to build my own glass shop here in the garage of my home. I put in new electrical service and got the ovens set up and everything was operational in September. It’s been great.”
“Lately I’ve been doing a lot of blown glass ornaments. I’ll be selling them at Front Street Saturday 4 to 9 and Sunday 11 to 4 with my friends at Yahweh & Sons Art Studio: (Building 100 Door A: first floor suite 1160). It’s part of Front Street’s Christkindl Market on Small Business Saturday.”

Dayton at Work and Play Artist of the Week: Samanta Farkas

By

ARTIST OF THE WEEK Samantha Farkas of Art by Samantha Farkas making one of her delightful bird paintings. When I visited her work space recently I watched her create some work and then I became the proud owner of one of her bird paintings. When my wife saw the piece she quickly put it up in her office, but she says I have visitation privileges.

After art school, Samantha told me she worked in preschool for fifteen years before deciding to do something new. She says she enjoyed doing art projects with the kids, but found she wasn’t doing much of her own art. Now she’s making a lot of work and also teaching at Raise Your Brush in Centerville.

You can see Samantha’s bird paintings and more at https://www.samanthafarkasart.com/

 

The ARTery Gallery Artist of the Month: David Zawisa

By

The ARTery Gallery at Front Street invites you to come see our New ”RUSTIC” Members Exhibition on display through October, a collection of rural, country scenes, objects, activities, people and landscapes. We would like to introduce our Gallery’s Highlighted Artist of the Month, David Zawisa, an exceptional painter and sculptor as well as our Visiting Artist for October, Leah Mendenhall, also a very talented local painter.

David Zawisa’s earliest recollection of creating art was at the age of 2 while drawing murals on his parents walls.  The artist said  “Without a care in the world, using crayon as my medium of choice, I learned then that art can evoke strong emotions, and that art is not permanent. So, I’ve been on a life-long quest to make my art timeless. I now work with oil-based paint, metal and wood as these materials seem to have lasting qualities. I may still use crayon, but I will never again admit to it.”

In his teens the artist painted murals on vans with an airbrush while working for Juan Parker in Columbus Ohio who was a very nationally known airbrush artist. Zawisa says his genre is eclectic because he is not bound to one type of work or a set style.  The artist paints and creates whatever comes to mind that sparks his interest or imagination, so the sky is the limit! 

He is both a unique and talented Painter as well as Sculptor at the ARTery Gallery at Front Street in Downtown Dayton, OH.  Zawisa has studied and taken a variety of painting classes at the Cranbrook Art Center in Michigan, Middletown Art Center in Middletown, OH, and at the Rosewood Art Center in Kettering, OH. He enjoys creating 2-D paintings in oils on canvas but has been known to paint on a variety of materials including copper to create a unique relief with his paint colors replicating the look of patina.

David Zawisa’s “Perceptual Motion”

Zawisa gained sculpture experience through the creative process itself, figuring things out as he went along, visualizing ideas and then discovering logistical ways to bring his projects into reality whether it be a 2-D or 3-D piece. He is a creative, natural innovator and problem solver in life, so sculpting seemed a natural outlet for his special gifts, abilities, and insatiable imagination.  Years ago, Zawisa was commissioned to draw some military aircraft by John Navitsky who was the US government military liaison, and he suggested Zawisa re-create a small re-sculpture of the well-known Vietnam Memorial statue of the three soldiers facing the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.  The original artist approved it, as well as the US government, so David created his very first sculpture and the artist gained a lot of confidence in his sculptural abilities.

The fascinating piece of art pictured with this article by David Zawisa is entitled “Perceptual Motion”.  It is an 11” x 15” framed Pen & Ink original drawing.  The perpetual motion effect is more perceptible when seen in person, and it is currently hanging at The ARTery Gallery at Front Street.   While you are there be sure to look for a moving metal sculpture he named “Sputnik” after the Russia satellite which has been sold, but is still currently hanging in the ARTery.   Zawisa is currently working on Sputnik II which will not only include movement, but it will also include lights on the end of each of the metal antennas.   

Come Meet Zawisa in person, our ARTery Artist of the month for October as well as our Guest Artist, Leah Mendenhall,  and check out their current work on 3rd Sunday from 11am to 4pm.

The ARTery Gallery at Front Street currently has 16 member artists and artisans, and hosts a variety of work from Jewelry and Ceramics to Textile art, Printmaking, Sculpture, Painting, Photography, and Digital Art.  The ARTery Gallery is located in the Front Street Bldg, Door B-C, 3rd Floor, and OPEN EVERY 1st Friday from 5-9pm,  and also 3rd Sunday from 11am-4pm. Come join in the fun, rich in art, entertainment, and community.  There will be lots of art studios open including the ARTery Gallery, Individual and Group exhibitions, live music, Outdoor vendors and food available via local food trucks in the parking lot. 

*Current ARTery Artists include: Alison Bour, Amy O’Hearn, Ashley Simons, Rosalie Campbell, Bob Farley, Carol Farley, Jim Hayes, Kelly Ingerson, Bonnie Kuntz, Sarah Maxwell, Melanie Morrett, Ryan Taylor, Jo Anne Vincent, Leonard Williams, and David Zawisa.

Check out the PORTOPIA Art Exhibit in Middletown

By

Portopia is Ohio’s newest immersive art exhibit that includes collective work from 14 artists who have altered over 5,000 square feet with powerful, visionary art.

Opening in historic downtown Middletown in the Torchlight Pass building (1131 Central Ave), Portopia is the vision of a group of over 15 community stakeholders committed to spurring economic development and creating space for nontraditional art. Visitors will experience dimensional art that titillate the senses of sound, sight, smell, touch, and even taste. The unconventional exhibit also includes 14 hidden “portal gems” for discovery and 3 portal doors for decoding that lead to unexpected surprises. Portopia is a temporary show that will appeal to guests of all ages and will runs through  December 19, 2021.

“The overarching goal was to leverage Middletown’s long commitment to the arts and create an unexpected experience that can be enjoyed by all ages,” said Mary Huttlinger, executive director of the Middletown Visitors Bureau and project manager. “We wanted to create a sustainable concept that could be repeated annually with a different team of artists, keeping the experience fresh and relevant.”

The immersive experience is more than just painting on the walls. Guests will encounter fun passageways, video displays, puzzles to solve, and interactive components. Each room presents the visitor with an entire new experience to discover and enjoy. The time-ticketed event limits the number of guests each hour to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience.

“Portopia’s foundation is built on private-public partnerships and is a terrific example of an opportunity that offers multiple benefits to the community. The City of Middletown was an early adopter of this initiative and we are eager to support its success,” said James Palenick, Middletown City Manager.

Many of Portopia’s artists hail from southwestern Ohio yet some have roots from as far away as New York, California, and New Jersey. All of them have collectively worked together to conceptualize and execute the first iteration of what is hoped to be a many year, recurring exhibit.

According to Roscoe Wilson, Portopia artist and Professor of Art at Miami University, “Participating in Portopia was a terrific opportunity because we (the artists) had the freedom to create our own vision. It is rare to work on a project that encourages unencumbered artistic expression. Also using existing materials in the space allowed me to expand my practice into a new direction.”

Challenge your senses at Portopia – September 11, 2021 – December 19, 2021 in Middletown, Ohio. More information and tickets available at: www.Portopia.org

 

 

Dayton at Work and Play: Dana L. Wiley

By

The Dana L. Wiley GALLERY is beautiful. It looks like a place you’d find as you wander around the streets of San Francisco or New York.
I sat down with Dana at the conference table in the gallery’s office and asked about her journey from working artist to gallery owner.
“I still do make my own art” she told me “but I haven’t exhibited in the gallery yet. A few years ago I agreed to curate a show and I loved it. I loved meeting with the artists, I loved deciding how to put the various art pieces together and I loved being around the art all day.”
“I talked with artist Gary Hinsche about the idea and the two of us decided to open up this gallery. This space here is great. We have room for Gary’s studio and this office and lots of room to show art.”
Our last exhibition featured four artists from across the country. Now we’re showing a local artist, Mike Elsass, but we’re showing him in a way that’s different from the way Dayton people have seen his work before. People should stop by tonight during First Friday and have a look.”

Dana L. Wiley GALLERY

1001 E. 2nd St., Suite 2405,
Dayton, OH 45402.

(937) 475-3794

Rustic” ARTery Members Exhibition Opens Friday

By

The ARTery Gallery at Front Street invites you to come see our New ”RUSTIC” Members Exhibition on display starting this First Friday through October.  Meet the Gallery’s NEW Visiting Artist for September, Leah Mendenhall, a very talented local acrylic and oil painter.

 

The Gallery’s Highlighted artist this Month is Sarah Maxwell. Maxwell is a perfectionist when it comes to her art as she is meticulous in her various techniques and in her attention to detail.  The artist shared she is also an introvert, so it is difficult for her to meet new people and make friends, but she is anxious to share her work and passions with the world, and also to empower and encourage others through it. 

Maxwell is passionate about saving endangered animals and features them in many of her artworks in order to call attention to our responsibility to protect and try to ensure their survival.  This artist also features animals in her current series of paintings to help enlighten and educate the public regarding a disorder that is close to her heart, Dyslexia.   Sarah didn’t know what it was until high school when she herself was diagnosed with it.  This series means a lot to her because through her work, she shares various challenges people with dyslexia may struggle with, and shares strengths that might have been overlooked. Maxwell said, “For example, Did you know that people with dyslexia have a heightened sense of hearing, and they have very strong skills for 3D thinking?”

SONY DSC

This 24”x 30” acrylic painting is entitled “Dyslexia: Speech”,  The giraffes represent how dyslexia can make it difficult to say things properly.  You may stutter, or not know what to say and find yourself tongue tied so to speak.  The giraffes are trying to be silly and have fun with it so they feel less anxious, but sometimes in real life, it can be quite annoying and embarrassing. The struggle is real.  Although Dyslexia has a host of challenges, Sarah also hopes her dyslexia paintings will not only bring awareness and understanding of the condition, but also to encourage and offer hope to those who struggle with the disorder that may also have heightened gifts and abilities in other areas.

Maxwell earned a BFA from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) in 2016, and re-located to Dayton after graduation.  Her work has been featured in several juried shows including the Evendale Fine Art Exhibit (Cincinnati) for the past 4 years, the Rosewood Art Center (Kettering), and the Studio Door (San Diego) where she won Best in Show for her “Tower” drawing.  She was also Runner Up for her design on the Fat Head Brewery Headhunter Commemorative Glass competition in 2018.   Come meet Sarah Maxwell and see her fantastic work in September at the ARTery Gallery at Front Street in September.

The ARTery Gallery at Front Street currently has 16 member artists and artisans, and hosts a variety of work from Jewelry and Ceramics to Textile art, Printmaking, Sculpture, Painting, Photography, and Digital Art.  The ARTery Gallery is located in the Front Street Bldg, Door B-C, 3rd Floor, and OPEN 1st Friday from 5-9pm,  and also 3rd Sunday from 11am-4pm.

Dayton Steel Exhibit Debuts

By

The work of Mike Elsass, one of Dayton’s most prominent and prolific artists, will debut this Friday at a first-of-its-kind art opening this Friday at the Dana L. Wiley Gallery, at 1001 East Second Street (B/C Entrance-Second Floor) in Dayton.

Experience Mike Elsass’ work in ways it has never been seen before in the special curation “Dayton Steel” debuting Friday, August 13 through October 17, 2021.

The exhibit will open to the public with a special event from 7-9 p.m. this Friday, during which new pieces will debut and be displayed in interesting and exciting ways that have never been seen before, putting new twists on the “brush before brain” philosophy that earned Elsass his reputation. The event is open to the public and will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres from acclaimed Chef Joseph Fish.

Elsass paints–and lives–by the philosophy that there are no mistakes, pushing people to embrace action before thought, and inspiring them to open their minds and engage with the unexpected. People get stuck in their own heads. Elsass forces them out. He never knows what he is painting until it’s done, and it’s usually more about the journey than the result.

Elsass has been one of the most generous and prolific artists in the history of Dayton, having invested $2.5 million into beautifying spaces, donating artwork and partnering with nonprofits to create meaningful experiences through art. Throughout the pandemic, he donated even more artwork to local businesses to be auctioned off, and exchanged artwork for donations to area nonprofits in an effort to keep the energy up in the region.

Mike’s art celebrates imperfection, bringing together what’s typically abandoned and forgotten into breathtaking statement pieces that capture emotion through composition. Often using materials discarded as garbage, Mike uses things like tar, oil, grit, silicate sand, spent whiskey mash–and this year, even some cicadas–to intentionally deteriorate his pieces before blanketing them with layer upon layer of paint in various colors.

Elsass’ enchanting and eclectic studio space now occupies 9,000 square feet of studio space at Front Street Galleries, which is also home to Dana L. Wiley Gallery, where Dayton Steel will debut on Friday.

The show will continue through Oct. 17, with a special artist talk:

IN THE GALLERY WITH MIKE ELSASS

SEPTEMBER 23RD, 7PM

Join Mike Elsass for a discussion on his artwork, process and how his artwork has impacted the Dayton community.

Please register for the Art Talk on Eventbrite. Limited seating available.

DAI Now Open Thursday – Sunday

By

Beginning August 5, the Dayton Art Institute (DAI) will expand its hours to include Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The museum is also open on Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sundays, noon–5 p.m.

“The community has asked us for additional weekday hours, as well as evening hours, and today I’m pleased to announce that we will now be open on Thursdays,” DAI Director & CEO Michael R. Roediger said. “This provides guests with more opportunities to enjoy our current Special Exhibition, Changing Times: Art of the 1960s, as well as new Focus Exhibitions and our recently reopened Lange Family Experiencenter.”

The DAI will open two new Focus Exhibitions in conjunction with the expanded hours: Photography through Time, on view July 30–October 24, and Spotlight on Africa: Gifts from Dianne Komminsk, on view August 7–November 4.

Photography through Time explores the range of photographic processes and techniques within the Dayton Art Institute’s extensive photography collection. From early photographic processes to contemporary artworks, the exhibition will include examples of daguerreotype, cyanotype, albumen, gelatin silver, chromogenic, photogravure and inkjet photographs. Photography through Timepresents a rare opportunity to see these works. Supporting Sponsors for the exhibition are Norma Landis & Rick Hoffman.

 

A business leader and philanthropist, Dianne Komminsk (1944–2019) of New Bremen, Ohio, was a passionate collector of art. She collected contemporary art and antiquities, but her greatest interest was in the rich aesthetic qualities of art from Africa. Spotlight on Africa: Gifts from Dianne Komminsk will feature some of the more than 300 objects she has gifted the DAI during her lifetime and through her estate. Komminsk’s extraordinary collection of African art includes work from across the continent and, when combined with the museum’s holdings, helps strengthen a world-class collection of the art of Africa for the Dayton Art Institute. Supporting Sponsor for the exhibition is PNC, with additional support from Patty & Jerry Tatar.

 

Other exhibitions currently on view at the DAI include The Roaring (and the Quiet) 1920s, Bukang Y. Kim: Journey to the East and All by Myself: Japanese Creative Prints.

The DAI also recently reopened The Lange Family Experiencenter, the museum’s interactive gallery for all ages. The Lange Family Experiencenter currently features the exhibition ABCs of Art, a playful exploration of the artistic alphabet special to artists, makers and people who enjoy looking at art. An artistic alphabet can include media—or materials—and techniques, style and meaning, or visual elements such as color, line and shape. This “hands-off, brains-on” exhibition exposes learners of all ages to new art concepts and a dynamic variety of artworks from the DAI collection.

“The exhibitions we currently have are wonderfully diverse. They feature great variety, from ancient and traditional works of Africa to contemporary art made right here in Ohio. Even for our members who come to the DAI regularly, there is a lot of newly installed art to see and enjoy,” DAI Chief Curator & Director of Education Jerry N. Smith said.

In addition, the DAI’s popular Bob Ross Auto Group Jazz & Beyond series returns on August 12 with Soul Express, and informal performances on the museum’s historic Skinner pipe organ have resumed on the first and third Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. The DAI’s first in-person education program since early 2020, the Language of Art, will be held on August 14. Visit the DAI’s website for a full list of exhibitions, events and programs.

On Friday, Saturday & Sunday, August 6-8, when the DAI will hold a special catalogue sale, featuring discounted catalogues from the museum’s permanent collection and past exhibitions, including some vintage exhibition catalogues from the 1950s & 1960s! Pictured above are just a few of  the catalogues available, and everything will be priced at $4 or less. The sale takes place in the Leo Bistro area – look for the sign in the Rotunda.

General admission to the DAI, which includes access to the collection galleries, all exhibitions and The Lange Family Experiencenter, is: $15 adults; $10 seniors (60+), active military and groups (10 or more); $5 students (18+ w/ID) and youth (ages 7–17); free for children (ages 6 & younger). Admission is also free for museum members.

 

For more about planning a visit to the Dayton Art Institute, including the latest information about COVID-19 safety protocols, please visitwww.daytonartinstitute.org or call 937-223-4ART (4278). Connect with the Dayton Art Institute on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram andYouTube for additional information, behind-the-scenes photos and videos, and exclusive offers.

 

Dayton at Work and Play: Ed Dixon

By

I’ve been visiting some of my favorite businesses to see how they weathered the pandemic. This is Ed Dixon at Edward A. Dixon Gallery (133 North Ludlow, Suite 11).
“I started this gallery to bring to Dayton the experience I had when I would visit galleries in New York or other large cities. I wanted it to offer a diverse collection of art in comfortable surroundings, and I wanted it to be welcoming to people no matter what their art or personal background.”
“Initially the gallery was in a large space near the Arcade but because of the pandemic I had to give that space up and move to this smaller space.”
“Because my current space is too small for a show, I rent space in the building on a short term basis for those kinds of special events. That’s what I’m doing now for my show called “We’re Doing it ALL Wrong.” The nationwide response to this show has been amazing. We had entries from all 50 states, and the pieces that were selected by the jurors are very strong. The show is open Fridays 4pm-8pm and Saturdays 1pm – 7pm until July 31.”

Dayton at Work and Play: Artist Patty Brown

By

Patty Brown of P.Brown Art with three of her “colorfield florals.”

I first met Patty Brown years ago when I visited her husband, artist Daniel Brown, at his home in Troy. Recently a friend suggested I might like art that Patty was posting online. I loved her work and was glad that Patty agreed to invite me over and be my first post-pandemic ARTIST OF THE WEEK.
“I teach art at Tippecanoe Middle School” she told me. “We spend a lot of time in class on aspects of color theory. I have the students make different colors and then experiment with how a color changes as tit is placed next to other colors. One day the students were enjoying their work with colors so much that they inspired me to do some similar things myself when I got home.”
“I’ve always made art, but this is the first time I’ve created a body of work with a common theme. I feel like I can push this in a lot of directions, trying different ways of combining a geometric color design with my freehand floral drawings. The response to these pieces has been great. I am doing quite a few commissions and I sell on facebook and instagram. Some pieces are also available at a wonderful flower shop in Tipp City called Always Blooming .”

Tickets Now On Sale For The Art Auction at The Co

By

The Contemporary Dayton’s  27th Annual Art Auction, to be held onFriday, June 25, 2021 will be the first ticketed event to take place in the newly restored Rotunda in the historic Dayton Arcade. Guests will be greeted with a complimentary drink, have a designated seating area with a plate of nibbles for the table provided by Bernstein’s Catering, and two cash bars will be available. WDPR’s Shaun Yu will serve as the master of ceremonies, and auctioneer Doug Sorrell will host the always exciting
live auction. Dessert will be served in the The Co’s new galleries, which will also host a dance reception.
featuring the work of Dayton-area and nationally-known artists, delicious food and drink, music and friends, as well as MC Shaun Yu of WDPR and Auctioneer Doug Sorrell. The action-packed evening will be limited to 125 guests who may designate their seating preference to groups of 6, 4, 2, or individually, to ensure each ticket-buyer’s preference for safety and comfort.
General Admission Tickets for the LIVE Event are $75 for members and $90 for non-members for the event which will begin with a receptions at 6:30pm, program & auctions starts at 7:30pm.  CLICK HERE to get tickets.

The artists whose work will be up for bid are some of Dayton’s most notable including Zachary Armstrong, Willis “Bing” Davis, Katherine Kadish, Evelyn Mahrt, Mychaelyn Michalec, Richard Malogorski, and Bruce Soifer. Additionally, The Co’s new curator, Michael Goodson, has added an impressive list of work from nationally-renowned artists including Ann Hamilton, Ohio resident and celebrated “sensory” and fabric installation artist; Donald Moffett, New York AIDS-era activist, designer, and celebrated painter; Carrie Moyer, New York artist and Whitney Biennial Alum, best known for her vividly-colored and textured abstract paintings; American photojournalist/photo-anthropologist, Bill Owens, whose 1973 book Suburbia is considered one of the seminal photobooks of the 20st century and features, in newer editions, a forward essay by filmmaker Sofia Coppola; Detroit-based artist Beverly Fishman who creates powerful abstract paintings that address technology and the pharmaceutical industry; and Brooklyn painter, Fred Tomaselli, who is represented by one of his infamous silkscreens in which he colorfully reimagines the events of Hurricane Katrina on the front page of The New York Times. Each of these works will be accompanied by a monographic book signed by each artist.

Willis Bing Davis, Ancestral Spirit Dance #588, 2018, oil pastel, 40 x 32 in. Image: John Sousa

Simultaneously, The Co will present an Online Auction beginning on June 23 through June 27, 2021 with over 60 works of art that represent a curated selection of the most accomplished and compelling artists in the area, as well as a selection of virtual and in-person art encounters. Virtual art encounter packages include a Guided Watercolor Painting Lesson; Wine Tasting with Argentinian and Tuscan Selections; a Q&A with the elite of Broadway’s theatrical professionals; a Coaching-Vocal-Choreography Session; and a Grandmaster Chess Lesson. In-person packages include Glassblowing with Jim DeLange; a Custom Mural by Mural Machine; and Exclusive Columbus and Cincinnati Art Tour with The Co’s Curator. Viewing and bidding on artwork and experiences is available at no cost, but you must register to bid.

Katherine Kadish, Falling Flowers 16, 2012, wax monotype, 41 x 33 in. Image: John Sousa

Additionally, The Co will offer a Grand Prize Raffle for the chance to win the opportunity to host the first Cocktail Party in The Co’s New Galleries for up to 25 guests and includes select wines, craft beers, light bites, and music. Grand Prize Raffle Tickets are available now at The Co’s downtown location or at thecontemporarydayton.org and are $25 each or 5 for $100.

Local Artist Invites You to Create A Piece For Community Art Exhibition

By

Leesa Happapurro is a local Dayton artist whom I personally love with all my heart. Not only is she a talented artist, she is good people. Originally from Detroit, Haapapuro has made Dayton her home. Her work has been described as whimsical, ethereal, and magical—and there is true magic in her ability to engage the community. Last year, at the start of the pandemic, Haapapuro participated in the Dayton Artists United show at the Orphanage Gallery, demonstrating the making of colorful, complicated, fragile looking paper flowers for her Garden of Hope exhibition. This year, she is launching a new exhibit with the Dayton Metro Library, called BRIDGES, which runs from May 1 to June 30, 2021 and explores ideas of unity and the things that connect us.

The community can participate by picking up materials at their library, beginning May 1st,. Kits can be reserved online. The kits include gorgeous rectangular cutouts that feature scrollwork and designs that evoke the designs of wrought iron bridgework. Participants color their “bridge” piece and return it to any branch library. The pieces will be delivered to Haapapuro for installation at the Main Branch library. She plans to connect them together to create an installation piece that is a visual representation of unity. The artist will host free workshops on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 11 am-3 pm.* in the Opportunity Space @ Patterson, inside the Main Library at 215 E Third Street in downtown Dayton and the public can view the work in progress through the windows at the corner of Third Street and St. Clair Avenue. *If the public health advisory is at orange or higher, workshops will take place online.

Haapapuro hopes the installation will engage the community in thinking about how we unify fractured communities and create a focus for conversations about equity. The project has been made possible through an Artist Opportunity Grant from the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District administered by Culture Works and the Dayton Metro Library.

Leesa Haapapuro has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from University of the Arts in Philadelphia and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2000. In addition to being known for creating temporary site-specific installations which invite community participation, Haapapuro is a well-known regional arts educator, which is how I first met her. She has a huge following, because her classes are wonderful and deceptive—she makes you feel like you can create anything, then she connects your work to the works of others and makes you feel like you are a part of something bigger. Her work is shown through-out the region, and she has sculptures in the permanent collection of the Dayton Art Institute and at Wright State University. I think she is one of Dayton’s gems, and I advise you take advantage of this opportunity to participate in her installation. Reserve your kit today!

Author:  Curtis Bowman
Dayton Artists United