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 Whatever your curiosity, there’s an adventure to be had in the Oregon Arts District. The eclectic brew of artistic, educational and cultural options includes everything from Japanese calligraphy and painting classes, First Friday gallery hops, and bonfires in the nearby Garden Station. Add to this short list an ever-rotating anthology of special events, such as a dinner party based on the work of a gallery exhibition. Plus, the Oregon Arts District’s galleries go more for festivity than artsy-fartsy, embellishing their exhibits with belly dancing, opera, poetry readings, workshops and more. Click here for a listing of artistic-minded events in the district.
5th st clayworx
521 E. Fifth St.
937-222-2680
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Fun and functional meet in this gallery co-owned by Nancy Snyder and Paula Vasquez, who collaborate to create whimsical clay artwork. Much of Nancy's work is wheel-thrown pottery that can be used in everyday life, such as mugs, plates and platters. She also has combined clay and glass to create colorful pieces of art. Paula's work includes origami paper crane hangings, handcrafted teapots from the Madeleine series and Mexican style "tree of life" candle holders. Together, the potters have created "happy feet" cups and wheel-thrown salad bowls, each paired with a set of serving utensils accented by Paula's handcrafted glass beads. The gallery is open Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and Friday 3 to 8 p.m.
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The Color of Energy
16 Brown St.
937-266-3491
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The art of Mike Elsass – abstract works on rusted sheets of steel – is shown throughout the nation from San Francisco, Calif., to Saugatuck, Mich., as well as on the great white walls of his hometown gallery. The Color of Energy also features rotating exhibits, such as the Dayton Women Photographers Show, and serves as a performance space for the likes of opera singers, dancers and poets.
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Dayton Theatre Guild
430 Wayne Ave.
937-278-5993
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This community theater organization has been around since 1945, when it staged its first production at the Dayton Art Institute. The Dayton Theatre Guild has renovated the 20,000-square-foot former Dayton Gym Club on Wayne Avenue and is now staging its provocative and often cutting-edge shows in its new space.
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Elaine Balsley - Fine Art
523 E. Fifth St.
937-222-2680
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This gallery stands out from well across the street, as it features the bright, bold work of its namesake owner, Elaine Balsley, who uses a variety of mediums to create paintings depicting a variety of subjects. Elaine Balsley - Fine Art also plans to feature exhibits by artists not currently shown in the Dayton area, such as members of the art league in Highland County, where Balsley lives. The gallery is open Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and Friday 3 to 8 p.m.
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Encore Theater Company
400 E. Fifth St., Suite A
937-266-3491
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Encore Theater Company is the Oregon Arts District's urban theater company specializing in leading edge, developmental musical theatre for the next generation. It has presented the local premieres of Tick..Tick...BOOM!, The Last Five Years, Flight of the Lawnchair Man, I Love You Because, 20something and many more. Performing in unique venues all over the city, from The Firefly Building Rooftop to c}space, ETC's home is in the district. ETC offers a monthly new musical reading (Second Tuesday of every month); MusicalWorld, a bi-monthly Podcast featuring interviews with the industry's rising stars; and a production series that this season includes both the Pulitzer-Prize Winning phenomenon RENT (June 2010) and the 2009 Tony-Nominated [TITLE OF SHOW].
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Gallery 510 Fine Art
510 East. Fifth St.
937-672-6717
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Comfy and couture join hands in photographer and painter Loretta Puncer's studio and gallery, which she co-owns with sister Rosemary Baumann. Since opening, the sisters have expanded their space to nearly triple its size. Gallery 510 Fine Art features Loretta's paintings, ranging from still-lifes to streetscapes to abstracts, and photography along with rotating exhibits by established and emerging artists in a variety of mediums – even soap. With its larger digs, Gallery 510 Fine Art also hosts arts workshops.
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Jimmy Modern
605 E. Fifth St.
937-520-3782 |
Deck out your mod squad lodge at Jimmy Modern, chock full of 20th century furniture, art and decorations. There’s a lot to see, so don’t forget to look up: The store has some incredible large paintings hanging from the rafters.
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Ohio Budokan Martial Arts & Japanese Culture Center
601 E. Fifth St.
937-443-0800
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The sign reads "Karate," but there is much more to discover inside. Founded in 1983 in a former theater, Ohio Budokan is a center for the practice of Budō and Japanese cultural arts, including, Shodō (calligraphy), Chadō (tea ceremony) and Nihongō (Japanese language). Click here to learn more about Ohio Budokan’s martial arts instruction.
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Powers Photography, Fine Art & Custom Framing
222 E. Sixth St.
937-222-2541
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You can literally see the world at this studio, which features the striking color and black-and-white photography of the globe-trotting Dan Powers – work shot in such locales as Havana, Cuba; Prague, Czech Republic; Scotland; France; and New Orleans.
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Space 11
207 E. Sixth St.
815-501-2134
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This alternative exhibition space opened in September 2009 in the Excelsior building and hosts cutting-edge contemporary art shows. Space 11 focuses on experimentation in installation, new and developing media, and performance art while contributing to urban revitalization and adding a new element to Dayton’s arts scene. Read more here.
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