The sign will remain a permanent fixture in Downtown Dayton
May 15, 2025 (DAYTON, Ohio) – Local leaders gathered this morning to officially unveil the new ‘Dayton Peace Sign’ at RiverScape MetroPark. The sign was created in a collaborative effort among Congressman Turner, the Downtown Dayton Partnership, and local creative agency, Real Art.
“I’m proud and honored to be part of Dayton’s enduring legacy of peace,” said Congressman Turner. “The new Dayton Peace Sign – created to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords and our city’s hosting of the 2025 NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session – stands as a powerful permanent symbol of what we can accomplish when we come together in pursuit of a common goal. It also serves as a lasting reminder of the shared peace, unity, and security we continue to strive for.”
The Dayton Peace Sign was created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords and Dayton’s hosting the 2025 NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
“Five Rivers MetroParks is honored to be the first host of the Dayton Peace Sign,” said Karen Hesser, chief executive officer at Five Rivers MetroParks. “RiverScape is seen as Dayton’s front porch, and I can’t imagine a better, more welcoming place for the sign to be during NATO.”
Federal funds set aside for beautifying Downtown Dayton ahead of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly paid for the sign. Real Art designed the piece and collaborated closely with Precision Metal Fabrication in Dayton to bring it to life. The team at Real Art says they envision the sign becoming a Dayton landmark for years to come, appreciated by both visitors and residents alike.
“We wanted to make something that really feels like Dayton,” said Chris Wire, CEO of Real Art. “It’s bold, it’s creative, and it’s got personality – just like the city. We hope people are excited when they see it.”
The creation of the Dayton Peace Sign has been a strong community effort. Congressman Turner, the Downtown Dayton Partnership, RiverScape Metropark, Real Art, and all members of the Dayton Peace Sign Committee have a presence in downtown Dayton.
“This sign marks the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, but it’s also a testament to the strength of our community,” said Elizabeth Mills, Community Engagement Manager for the Downtown Dayton Partnership. “This process has been an incredible collaboration between downtown businesses and organizations to create the Dayton Peace Sign for all to enjoy.”
Following the NATO event, the sign will be moved in front of the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center at the corner of Second and Main Streets in Downtown Dayton. Dayton residents are invited to see the sign in person and pose with it for photos starting May 29, the day of the Concert for Peace at the Schuster Center. The Concert for Peace will feature the Dayton Philharmonic and Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestras under the baton of internationally renowned conductor Marin Alsop. Tickets for the concert are available to the public.
The Dayton Peace Sign was created in a collaborative effort among Congressman Turner, the Downtown Dayton Partnership, and Real Art. Special thanks to the Dayton Peace Sign Committee, Dave Williams with Cross Street Partners, Lisa Hanson with CultureWorks, Pam Plageman with the Dayton Convention Center, and Ellen Sizer with the City of Dayton, and to Katie Meyer, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership.
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The sign will remain a permanent fixture in Downtown Dayton
May 15, 2025 (DAYTON, Ohio) – Local leaders gathered this morning to officially unveil the new ‘Dayton Peace Sign’ at RiverScape MetroPark. The sign was created in a collaborative effort among Congressman Turner, the Downtown Dayton Partnership, and local creative agency, Real Art.
“I’m proud and honored to be part of Dayton’s enduring legacy of peace,” said Congressman Turner. “The new Dayton Peace Sign – created to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords and our city’s hosting of the 2025 NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session – stands as a powerful permanent symbol of what we can accomplish when we come together in pursuit of a common goal. It also serves as a lasting reminder of the shared peace, unity, and security we continue to strive for.”
The Dayton Peace Sign was created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords and Dayton’s hosting the 2025 NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
“Five Rivers MetroParks is honored to be the first host of the Dayton Peace Sign,” said Karen Hesser, chief executive officer at Five Rivers MetroParks. “RiverScape is seen as Dayton’s front porch, and I can’t imagine a better, more welcoming place for the sign to be during NATO.”
Federal funds set aside for beautifying Downtown Dayton ahead of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly paid for the sign. Real Art designed the piece and collaborated closely with Precision Metal Fabrication in Dayton to bring it to life. The team at Real Art says they envision the sign becoming a Dayton landmark for years to come, appreciated by both visitors and residents alike.
“We wanted to make something that really feels like Dayton,” said Chris Wire, CEO of Real Art. “It’s bold, it’s creative, and it’s got personality – just like the city. We hope people are excited when they see it.”
The creation of the Dayton Peace Sign has been a strong community effort. Congressman Turner, the Downtown Dayton Partnership, RiverScape Metropark, Real Art, and all members of the Dayton Peace Sign Committee have a presence in downtown Dayton.
“This sign marks the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, but it’s also a testament to the strength of our community,” said Elizabeth Mills, Community Engagement Manager for the Downtown Dayton Partnership. “This process has been an incredible collaboration between downtown businesses and organizations to create the Dayton Peace Sign for all to enjoy.”
Following the NATO event, the sign will be moved in front of the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center at the corner of Second and Main Streets in Downtown Dayton. Dayton residents are invited to see the sign in person and pose with it for photos starting May 29, the day of the Concert for Peace at the Schuster Center. The Concert for Peace will feature the Dayton Philharmonic and Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestras under the baton of internationally renowned conductor Marin Alsop. Tickets for the concert are available to the public.
The Dayton Peace Sign was created in a collaborative effort among Congressman Turner, the Downtown Dayton Partnership, and Real Art. Special thanks to the Dayton Peace Sign Committee, Dave Williams with Cross Street Partners, Lisa Hanson with CultureWorks, Pam Plageman with the Dayton Convention Center, and Ellen Sizer with the City of Dayton, and to Katie Meyer, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership.
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