Downtown Dayton

Luminaries of Dayton: Noah Tyler Bish

August 20, 2017 By Angie Hoschouer

Mr. Bish was born near Carroll County, Maryland and hails from one of the old families of that state, founded in America by his great grand-father. Noah decided after his early school years to move to the Montgomery County area where he was employed on a farm for three seasons. He married Sarah C. Clemmer on November 11, 1869 and had three children: George William, Susan Adie and Ray Clemmer.

A year following his marriage, Mr. Bish purchased forty acres of land in Perry Township, there carrying on general farming from 1870 until 1884. He then went to Dayton and invested in a stock of groceries, opening a store. From the beginning he prospered in his commercial pursuits and developed a successful store with a large patronage. Admitting his son to a partnership, the business was continued under the name N.T. Bish & Son.

Noah T. Bish died on October 5, 1922 at the age of 79. He is located in Section 101 Lot 2533.

Woodland Cemetery, founded in 1841, is one of the nation’s five oldest rural garden cemeteries and a unique cultural, botanical and educational resource in the heart of Dayton, Ohio as you will see as you read through this new MostMetro.com series. 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 UD 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 website.

Luminaries of Dayton: The Dog as a Cemetery Symbol

August 10, 2017 By Angie Hoschouer

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.

Luminaries of Dayton: Frederick Olt

July 20, 2017 By Angie Hoschouer

Frederick Olt was born in Dayton on September 25, 1874. He was the son of John and Philipena (Linxweiler) Olt. After becoming a partner in the butchering business with his father, Fred decided that office work was more to his suiting and obtained employment with the Schantz Brewery as a bookkeeper. Frederick’s sister, Mary, was married to Adam Schantz. In 1904, he advanced to the position of cashier and in 1906, he decided to go into the brewery business with his brothers and started the Olt Brothers Brewing Company. Mr. Olt married Laura H. Greve on April 6, 1902.

Fred Olt died August 28, 1958 at the age of 83. He is located in Section 101 Lot 2712.

Luminaries of Dayton: Leaving Pennies on a Grave

July 8, 2017 By Angie Hoschouer

There are many traditions that involve placing objects, specifically money, on graves. These traditions are usually regional or customary practices and do not necessarily have religious connotations.

Large amounts of pennies which are thrown onto Benjamin Franklin’s grave by visitors each day are a symbol of good luck, and a nod to Franklin’s motto that “a penny saved is a penny earned.”

Some people hold to the tradition of leaving something of yourself when visiting a grave. If nothing else, a coin from your pocket serves as a marker of the passage and your esteem for the departed. It also signifies to any that pass by that the grave was visited and that the deceased is well loved and esteemed and has not been abandoned or forgotten. Coins are also an older form of leaving flowers, a practice prompted by the heavy Romanticism of the Victorian era.

Some believe that to leave a coin on a grave brings good luck. Students in some areas are known to leave pennies on the graves of their school’s founder in the hopes of good luck with exams.

Some are, perhaps unwittingly, mimicking the ancient tradition where gold coins were buried with the corpse in order to pay the toll charged by Charon, the boatman of the Underworld, for passage to the other side of the river Styx. It was considered sinful not to leave this toll with the dead as it would condemn them to forever wander the shores without end.

It is an old tradition to leave a penny at the grave site of a loved one as a gesture of deep love and understanding. Some coins have distinct meanings when left on the headstones of those who gave their life while serving in America’s military, and these meanings vary depending on the denomination of coin.

A coin left on a tombstone or at the grave site is meant as a message to the deceased soldier’s family that someone else has visited the grave to pay respect.

Leaving a penny at the grave means simply that you visited. A nickel indicates that you and the deceased trained at boot camp together, while a dime means you served with him in some capacity. By leaving a quarter at the grave, you are telling the family that you were with the solider when he was killed.

In the United States, this practice became common during the Vietnam War, due to the political divide in the country over the war; leaving a coin was seen as a more practical way to communicate that you had visited the grave than contacting the soldier’s family, which could devolve into an uncomfortable argument over politics relating to the war.

No matter what type of item you leave at a grave site, it is seen by others that the person is not forgotten.

At Woodland Cemetery, you will find that the grave sites of the Wright Brothers and Paul Laurence Dunbar receives the most coins. The coins are picked up periodically and are deposited to the Woodland Arboretum Foundation to care for the grounds and gardens of the cemetery.

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.

Luminaries of Dayton: The 4th of July in Dayton

June 28, 2017 By Angie Hoschouer

Simeon Broadwell

The 4th of July in Dayton

The first Independence Day celebration in Dayton was held in 1809. The townspeople assembled on the riverbank, marched to the courthouse, sang together, listened to speeches and heard artillery salutes, and then marched again, meeting at the home of Henry Disbrow for dinner. Activities included wrestling and shooting matches, foot and horse races and dancing into the evening.

In 1810, there were 17 toasts made to mark the occasion including these memorable ones:

Toast No. 3: To “The Constitution of the United States – May its duration be as lasting as the solar system.”

Toast No. 10: To “Agriculture – May our plowshares never rust, and may hungry of nations be fed with our superabundance.”

Toast No. 11: To “Manufacturers – May our exports exceed our imports.”

At the 1815 Fourth of July celebration, Dayton women were finally welcomed to join the parade march.

In 1816, one hundred guests had dinner together, enjoyed a vocal concert at the home of William Bomberger and attended a ball at Col. David Reid’s inn.

In 1822 at dawn, Dayton awoke to the sound of church bells and cannon fire. During the parade, four Revolutionary War soldiers carried the flag – Col. Robert Patterson, Simeon Broadwell, Richard Bacon and Isaac Spining. Nineteen patriotic toasts were given that day. Six more from fellow soldiers. Isaac Spining’s toast was “May the cause that first inspired the heroes of ’76 to shake off

Isaac Spining

the chains of slavery be very dear and supported by all Americans.” And the final toast of the day was to “The heroes of the Revolution that fell to secure the blessings of this day to us: may their children so maintain them that America may be a republic on the last day of time.”

The 1837 Fourth of July celebration was dubbed the celebration that wasn’t. Billed as a grand affair, the opening of the Miami Canal at Piqua was slated for the 4th of July. More than 1,000 people waited patiently for the arrival of Gen. William Henry Harrison in the first canal boat. Neither Harrison nor the boat arrived that day as there was not enough water in the canal.

The ladies of Dayton, determined to establish an orphan asylum, held an Independence Day picnic to raise funds in 1843.

This glimpse back at these early celebrations show that they were about community, sharing and remembering the sacrifices that others made during the birth of our nation.

The Washington Monument – 1986

John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail: “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

Of course, the Declaration of Independence was debated in Congress and the wording revised and was finally approved two days later on July 4.

Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!
Your friends at Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum

Luminaries of Dayton: Henry Ware, Civil War Soldier

June 12, 2017 By Angie Hoschouer

Henry Elias Ware

Henry E. Ware Index to Pension File 1894

Henry E. Ware served a three-year enlistment as a private in the Union Army, Company E of the First Ohio Volunteer Infantry regiment, from September 1861 to August 1864. This regiment served in Kentucky and Tennessee, fighting in a number of conflicts including Shiloh, Chickamauga, and Missionary Ridge. During his service, Ware suffered a gunshot wound but fulfilled his enlistment.

Following his return to Dayton, the Dayton City Directory lists Henry as a city fireman from 1866 to 1870 and an engineer from 1876 to 1893.

Henry married Caroline Ziesler on September 19, 1861 in Montgomery County, Ohio. The Ware family lived at 332 Johnson Street in the South Park Historic District. Henry died on June 22, 1894 due to rheumatism. Henry, Caroline and other family members are buried in Section 69 Lot 396.

Luminaries of Dayton: Father and Son Soldiers

May 25, 2017 By Angie Hoschouer

Col. John Grimes and Alexander Grimes

Col. John Grimes was born April 27, 1755, a son of Samuel Grimes of Pennsylvania. John later served with distinction in the Revolutionary War. In 1808, John ran a tavern on the east side of Main Street near Monument and First streets. It was a log building, one and one half stories high with a log barn and feed yard located near the back alley. The large living room of the house became the popular place for many of the socializing events of that day. The bell in the belfry rang twice for meals as was the custom at taverns in those days. When the town meeting was called to discuss building a free-bridge across the Mad River, the meeting was held at Col. Grimes tavern on January 27, 1816. At that time, the town’s people were crossing the river by ferry boats. The building of the bridge was a major advancement in early Dayton history. Col. John Grimes died on June 13, 1836 at the age of 81. Col. Grimes was originally buried in the old 5th St. burial grounds and later was re-interred at Woodland Cemetery on June 12, 1855. His final resting place is in Section 77 Lot 135.

This industrious son of Col. John Grimes, Alexander Grimes, served in the War of 1812. Alexander was a Dayton merchant who worked in close association with Steel and Peirce under the name of Grimes & Company. In 1828, Alexander was one of Dayton’s fire wardens and formed the fire-guards to provide protection and security around fire areas. Mr. Grimes was elected to the State Legislature in 1827 and 1830 and was cashier from 1831 to 1843 of Dayton’s first bank. He also served as the Auditor of Montgomery Country. Mr. Grimes was married twice. His second wife was the sister of Charles Russell Greene, Marie Antoinette Greene. Alexander Grimes died January 12, 1860 at the age of 69. He is located in Section 77 Lot 136.

On one side of the Grimes monument you will find the ancestors of Col. John Grimes who served in the U.S. Military and their honors.

P.F.C. Charles Greene Grimes – Ohio Militia Civil War
Capt. Charles Greene Grimes, II – U.S. Navy: WWI, WWII
Lt. Burleson Grimes – U. S. Navy: WWII
Lt. Burleson Grimes, II – U. S. Navy: Vietnam
Capt. Edward Burleson Castle – U. S. Air Force: Vietnam
Col. Richard Grimes Castle – U. S. Army: Vietnam

Luminaries of Dayton: The Beehive as a Cemetery Symbol

May 12, 2017 By Angie Hoschouer

The beehive was often used by the Freemasons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. It symbolizes human industry, faith, education and domestic virtues.

Daniel Beckel has one of the most unique monuments at Woodland. We affectionately call it the “Beckel Beehive.”

Who was Daniel Beckel?

Daniel Beckel was born in England on September 14, 1813. In 1829, when Daniel was just sixteen, he was an assistant to his step-father, a civil engineer, who worked on the construction of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Afterward they became the contractors for, and constructed the great St. Mary’s Reservoir, for the Miami Canal. After the completion of that work, Mr. Beckel came to Dayton building the Beckel Opera House, the Beckel House (Hotel), and other valuable structures. He was also engaged in the manufacture of woolens and of flour, in the lumber trade, and in the construction of railroads and turnpikes. In connection with William Dickey and Joseph Clegg, Beckel established a private bank and was almost the sole owner of the Miami Valley and Dayton Banks. Mr. Beckel additionally served in the following capacities: elected to the Ohio Legislature; Secretary of the Dayton Hydraulic Co. in 1845 and President of the first gas company, The Dayton Gas Light & Coke Co. in 1849. Daniel Beckel was married to Susan Harshman. Mr. Daniel Beckel died on February, 26, 1862. He is located in Section 52 Lot 1167.

In 2016, a group of high school students participated in a Work, Earn and Learn program at Woodland. Eight girls worked 16 hours per week for 10 weeks and did the care and upkeep of several gardens, established a new garden in a highly visible area of the cemetery with a focus on design and plant selection, learned the workings of the cemetery from the front office to grounds maintenance, received several tours learning the history of Woodland, its establishment and the people resting peacefully within and also worked on the restoration of several monuments, including the “Beckel Beehive.”

Luminaries of Dayton: Paul Laurence Dunbar Window

April 27, 2017 By Angie Hoschouer

Dunbar’s Willow Window

This window depicts the words written in the Negro dialect associated with the antebellum South by Dayton poet and author, Paul Laurence Dunbar, in the poem A Death Song published in 1913. You can also find the poem on the bronze plaque at his grave site in Section 101.

Lay me nigh to whah ’hit makes a little pool
An’ de watah stans’ so quiet ‘lak un’ cool
An’ de little birdies in de’ spring
Ust come an’ drink an’ sing
An’ de chillun waded on dey way tu’ school

You are invited to visit the Mausoleum to view all of the beautiful stained glass windows within at your leisure or join us for a guided tour on Thursday’s June 8, July 13, August 10, September 7 or October 5 at 9:00 a.m. Please RSVP to 937-228-3221.

The Mausoleum is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Luminaries of Dayton: Medal of Honor Recipient

April 23, 2017 By Angie Hoschouer

Charles Goodwin Bickham (1867 – 1944)

Lt. Bickham received his Medal of Honor for “distinguished gallantry” on May 2, 1902, in the Battle of Bayang, during the Moro Rebellion.

Lt. Bickham “crossed a fire-swept field, in close range of the enemy, and brought a wounded soldier to a place of shelter.” His medal was awarded by Theodore Roosevelt on April 28, 1904.

Charles Goodwin Bickham is located in Section 101 Lot 1420.

Woodland Honors All Veterans

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service. Many arrived home wounded or sick and there was no medical care or veterans’ pension for them. Often times, they were left to care for themselves.

Today, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard and reserve forces.

Woodland is the final resting place of veterans of every war in which the United States has been engaged.

Luminaries of Dayton: The Anchor as a Cemetery Symbol

April 11, 2017 By Angie Hoschouer

Early Christians used the anchor as a disguised cross and as a marker to guide the way to secret meeting places. It is a Christian symbol of hope, it is found as funeral symbolism in the art of the catacombs. It is also an occupational symbol in sea-faring areas or the attribute of St. Nicholas, patron saint of the seaman, it symbolized hope and steadfastness. An anchor with a broken chain stands for the cessation of life. Anchors are also a Masonic symbol and often found on Mason’s graves as they were a symbol for well-grounded hope.

Read Between the Lines with DCDC March 4th & 5th

February 28, 2017 By LIbby Ballengee

Photo by Paul B. Goode

Last year, the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company was awarded the highly-coveted Bessie award for Outstanding Revival, for it’s revival of Donald McKayle’s iconic “Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder.” The Huffington Post listed it as one of the top 10 dance performances for 2016.

Daytonians have the opportunity to see this work, along with two others, as part of DCDC’s newest production “Vantage Points: A Read Between the Lines,” March 4 & 5 on Dayton’s historic Victoria Theatre stage.

“It is very interesting that a piece choreographed in 1959 — by a master choreographer — is still very resonant, and unfortunately very relevant, today,” DCDC Artistic Director Blunden-Diggs said. Alastair Macaulay, dance critic for the New York Times wrote “Rainbow evokes how much there was for many African-Americans to transcend. It’s a strong piece of American dance history; I’m grateful to have seen it.”

The concert lineup also includes the world premiere of a new work by Ray Mercer, a longtime cast member of Broadway’s “The Lion King.” Mercer’s new work pulls the viewer into the choreographer’s mind to experience dance from the choreographer’s vantage point.

The concert doesn’t quite fall in Black History Month, but the audience could extend the celebration into that first March weekend with the show, Blunden-Diggs said. “To be able to put these works on stage that have been created by us, for us, makes a really strong statement,” she said. “Come celebrate black history with us, because DCDC is black history.”

The show is sponsored by the Dayton Power & Light Foundation with media sponsor Synchrony Financial. Catch it at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4 and 4 p.m. Sunday, March 5. Individual and group tickets are available at ticketcenterstage.com or by calling the box office at 937-228-3630.

For more information on DCDC and our upcoming shows, visit dcdc.org, and connect with us on social media: follow @daytoncontemporarydancecompany on Facebook and Instagram or @DCDCLive on Twitter.

How to Go? Vantage Points: A Read Between the Lines

Saturday, March 4, 2017 | 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 5, 2017 | 4:00 pm
Victoria Theatre, 138 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio

Tickets start at $24.50 +

Big Damn Holiday Jam at Therapy Cafe

December 18, 2016 By LIbby Ballengee

This holiday jam session is a Dayton music tradition!

Dayton area musicians and fans are gathering at Therapy Cafe on Wednesday December 21st for the Big Damn Holiday Jam, a special homecoming jam session for the holidays. This unique event includes touring local musicians we don’t get to see too often, so this is definitely a “don’t miss” event!

Not only is there amazing music provided, there’s delicious food provided as well. The theme for this week is holiday appetizers. Feel free to bring a dish if you’d like! It’s a family gathering vibe, which is what makes it extra special.

You can even get some holiday shopping done! Abyss Collections, Candis Young and Jonathon Gale will have some lovely creations for your last minute holiday gifts.

Most of all, I’m looking forward to seeing The Family favorites jam together, including Chris Houser, Dino Dimitrouleas, Jeremy Canonico, Ronald Frost, Jonny Dread, Eric Henry, Melissa Nicole Henry, Anthony SaxTone Arrington, Phil Bradley-Hutchison, Marcus Cornwell and Alex Delk. They’ve even have Blues favorite Bob Dellaposta at this session, to kick off the evening’s festivities with an acoustic hour from 8pm to 9pm.

How to go? Therapy Cafe on 3rd St downtown, in the Cannery District.

Doors and music start at 8pm.

Tickets $6 or $5 with a non perishable food item at the door.

Cowork at A Local Brewery

October 12, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

On Thursday, November 3, The Dayton Beer Company will be transformed into a coworking space!

Bring your laptop, notepad, and coffee mug for a day of working alongside some of Dayton’s most creative entrepreneurs, designers, developers, and change-makers!

Schedule for the Day*
8:30 am to 9:30 am – Meet November’s “Featured Entrepreneurs” and learn from their startup stories
9:30 am to 11:30 am – Open office hours (experts in legal advice, marketing, accounting, funding, and more)
11:30 am to 1:00 pm – Lunch with Nucleus; Dayton’s coworking pioneers talk about how the coshare has impacted their businesses
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm – Open office hours (experts in legal advice, marketing, accounting, funding, and more)
3:00 pm – Startup Grind with Pete Hilgeman; Q&A with the founder of Dayton Beer Co.
4:00 pm – Happy Hour

*open coworking available all day

November’s Featured Entrepreneurs
Jason Harrison, Present Tense Fitness
Jeff Graley, Mile Two
Theresa Steele, The Hathaway Group, LLC
Juanita Darden-Jones, Third Perk Coffeehouse & Wine Bar

Amenities: high speed wi-fi (powered by AT&T), free coffee from Third Perk, lunch, shuffleboard, arcade games, patio

Event Partners: Downtown Dayton Partnership, AT&T, Dayton Startup Grind, Dayton Tech Guide, Minority Business Assistance Center, Nucleus, Ohio SBDC Network

Please RSVP to Colleen Turner at 937.224.1518 ext. 221 or [email protected]

One-Time CLOSET MONSTER Screening – Proceeds Benefit Orlando

June 25, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Dayton PRIDE will close out month-long events with the screening of the award-winning film CLOSET MONSTER…and 100% of the proceeds will go to victims’ families of the horrendous massacre in Orlando. “CLOSET MONSTER tells the story of Oscar Madly, a creative and driven teenager who hovers on the brink of adulthood. Destabilized by his dysfunctional parents, unsure of his sexuality, and haunted by horrific images of a tragic gay bashing he witnessed as a child, Oscar dreams of escaping the town he feels is suffocating him.” (taken from press notes) Tickets available now at THE NEON’s box office – just $8 each. (Editors Note: the showing for CLOSET MONSTER is Thurs, June 30th at 7:30pm)

THE NEON is located at 130 E. 5th St. in downtown Dayton. The box office opens daily by 2:30 and by Noon on weekends. For additional information, call (937)222-8452 or visit THE NEON’s official site – www.neonmovies.com

Art is Everywhere During New Juried Show and Kickoff Event

May 28, 2016 By Dayton937

It’s not a difficult task to discover visual arts in downtown Dayton. Whether you’re exploring a gallery space or admiring local products sold in downtown businesses, Dayton’s rich arts amenities abound. Last year, we introduced our first event in the new Summer in the City series in May, and it was a blast. But we’ve got a lot more in store for art lovers at this year’s event. Pack your bags, because you’re in for a trip! Art in the City is the next signature event of the 2016 DP&L Summer in the City lineup, and it promises to be quite the visual feast.

The Downtown Dayton Partnership is helping to roll out a new juried art show. The Dayton Visual Arts Center pulled together 26 talented local artists whose work will be on display in different downtown businesses. Our goals are simple: We hope to encourage art lovers to discover a new downtown business, and we want to introduce regular patrons to incredible local art. We’re also throwing another element into the mix: You get to decide which artist nabs the title of “People’s Choice” by voting for your favorite artist or artwork. Voting starts Friday, June 3, and closes at noon on June 17. Visit downtowndayton.org for details.

To kick off the open voting session, we’re hosting a huge visual arts party, complete with live demonstrations, hands-on activities, and other interactive programs throughout downtown. It’s free! It’s fantastic! It’s fun for all ages! And it lasts from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, June 3.

You can meet the artists from the juried show pop-up galleries in their spaces, and you can check out an array of other arts activities sprinkled around downtown, including:

The Front Street Experience: Watch artists blow glass and create street art on canvas, get your face painted, and take a selfie at the art wall, located on Courthouse Square. While you’re there, check out more fun going on for the kickoff of Dayton Pride weekend, Affair on the Square.
K12 Gallery & TEJAS: The whole family will enjoy visual arts activities and special performances by SMAG Dance Collective. Get down on the dance floor with music by DJ Tony Whitfield and DJ Scorpius Max. Visit “Make n’ Take” stations and create garden art planters and garden wire sculptures. Juice bar and snacks also available for purchase.
Mendelson’s Mural: A new mural-painting company, The Mural Machine, is taking art to the streets and transforming buildings. Watch them work on their current project, Mendelson’s Outlet, off First Street.
Live demos: Several downtown arts businesses will have live demonstrations, and you can browse artwork in the shop for sale. Check out Gallery 510 Fine Art at 508 E. Fifth St., Vessels at 227 N. Main St., Ink & Hammer at 506 Wayne Ave., Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors on 48 High St. in St. Anne’s, and the Front Street Galleries in the warehouse at 1001 E. Second St.
Art on 5^th: Following the success of its first art show and handmade craft sale, theNorthGate returns with its next gallery and market, located at Fifth and Wilkinson in the former historic Salvation Army building.
Dayton Art Institute: If you haven’t seen the latest exhibit, Into the Ether, you’ll be inspired to visit the interactive light gallery when you visit the museum’s special Art in the City location near Lily’s Bistro (329 E. Fifth St.). Make your own luminary with color-changing LED lights!
Innovative Arts Nexus (IAN): The University of Dayton’s former Art Street program has gone beyond art as a creative medium for expression and turned it into an application for creative problem solving and innovation. Learn more about the process and challenge your perceptions at their interactive experience in front of the Clair Lofts (St. Clair Street between Third and Fourth streets).
Nucleus CoShare: Not only will you get to see one of the largest pop-up gallery installations at this space, you can experience a variety of other local artists. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could work here? Memberships to the co-shared office space are still available. Chat with the staff on-site to learn more about rates and benefits (besides being surrounded by inspirational artwork).
The Mosaic Institute of Greater Dayton: Create your own unique mosaic while you enjoy the sights and sounds of Pickin’ in the Park at RiverScape MetroPark. Be sure to try the free demo of the new Urban Family Challenge Food and craft beer will be available for purchase at this location. (Heads up – Monument Avenue will be closed from Patterson to St. Clair for this activity.)
African American Visual Artists Guild: Watch computer art and thread painting demonstration at their station in the Oregon District.
Courteous Mass: Get a new perspective on your city from the seat of a bike. Join a group ride to tour public art installations on a new iteration of the Bike the Arts Bonus: The new culture-wrapped Link Bike also will be unveiled! The ride departs from Don Crawford Plaza (Fifth Third Field) at 6:30 p.m.