Threads of History: Quilts by Carolyn Mazloomi
2026-08-15 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
June 12-September 12, 2026
Threads of History: Quilts by Carolyn Mazloomi is a landmark solo exhibition by award-winning artist, historian, and curator Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi. Now an octogenarian, Mazloomi remains one of the most visionary leaders in contemporary quilting, widely recognized for her lifelong efforts to elevate African American quilt traditions. Her striking black-and-white quilts memorialize the lives and legacies of African American freedom fighters, capturing resilience, resistance, and remembrance through bold imagery and layered narrative. Originally trained as an aerospace engineer, Mazloomi shifted her focus in the 1980s to advocate for African American quilt artists whose contributions had long been marginalized. Through her scholarship, mentorship, and the founding of the Women of Color Quilters Network, she has transformed the cultural landscape, bringing international recognition to quilting as both fine art and historical record. Her extraordinary impact has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Bess Lomax Hawes NEA National Heritage Fellowship, a United States Artists Fellowship, and an American Craft Council Honorary Fellowship. Her work is held in major collections, including the Smithsonian Institution and the American Folk Art Museum. Opening Reception: June 12, 2026, 6-8 p.m.

Fighters for Freedom: William H. Johnson Picturing Justice
2026-08-15, 2026-08-16 | The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH, 45405, United States
June 27–September 13, 2026, Gallery 120
William H. Johnson (1901–1970) painted the Fighters for Freedom series in the mid-1940s as tribute to African American activists, scientists, teachers and performers as well as international leaders working to bring peace to the world. It was his last body of work. This landmark exhibition brings together—for the first time since 1946—34 paintings featured in the series, drawn from the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM). This nationally traveling exhibition is accompanied by a scholarly, full-color exhibition catalog.
Of the series, SAAM states: “The exhibition illuminates the extraordinary life and contributions of Johnson, an artist associated with the Harlem Renaissance but whose practice spanned several continents, as well as the contributions of historical figures he depicted. Some of his Fighters—Marian Anderson, George Washington Carver, Mohandas Gandhi, and Harriet Tubman—are familiar figures; others—Nannie Helen Burroughs and William Grant Still, among them—are less well-known individuals whose achievements have been eclipsed over time. Johnson celebrates their accomplishments even as he acknowledges the realities of racism, oppression and sometimes violence they faced and overcame. Johnson clues viewers to significant episodes in the Fighters lives by punctuating each portrait with tiny buildings, flags and vignettes that give insight into their stories. Using a colorful palette to create evocative scenes and craft important narratives, he suggests that the pursuit of freedom is an ongoing, interconnected struggle, with moments of both triumph and tragedy.”

Captivating Clay: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Horvitz Collection
2026-08-15, 2026-08-16 | The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH, 45405, United States
April 13, 2024–January 3, 2027, Gallery 106
Today, Japanese ceramic artists are building on centuries of tradition and taking the art in dynamic and new directions. They are exploring the potential of clay to create both functional and abstract sculptural forms with an incredible range of surface textures and decoration. The aesthetic sensibilities are varied, from rough and imperfect to detailed and refined, but all show a mastery of the craft.
Drawn from the renowned collection of Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz—including recent gifts from them to the museum—this exhibition presents more than thirty artworks spanning eight decades. Traditionally a craft restricted to men, in recent years women have become some of the leading voices in the field and several examples are included.
Artists range from innovative pioneers in the twentieth century, several designated as Living National Treasures in Japan, to emerging, younger artists. Interspersed are examples from the DAI’s collection of historic Japanese ceramics. Across 2,000 years, these speak to the long history of the art in the island nation and their continued inspiration for artists today.

Exploring Feminism
2026-08-15, 2026-08-16 | The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH, 45405, United States
February 7, 2026–January 31, 2027, Gallery 118
Feminism feels like a loaded term that, when presented to people, often triggers a gut reaction that it is positive or negative. But what actually is feminism? Presenting feminist artwork from the newly acquired Sara M. and Michelle Vance Waddell Collection, this three-part, rotating exhibition will demystify the origins, history and commitments of the feminist movement.
Often discussed in terms of waves, feminism has signified struggles for a range of causes at varying moments in time. Through Exploring Feminism, guests may become better acquainted with cycles of protest, self-expression and community-building for a movement that has continued to change and adapt to include more and different constituents within its umbrella of “feminists.”
No bras will be burned (and, in fact, never were) for this new exhibition featuring regional, national and international artists working in all manner of media.

Niki Johnson: Pillars of Democracy
2026-08-15 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
The Contemporary Dayton is proud to present Niki Johnson: Pillars of Democracy, a series of four large-scale collaged portraits envisioning Liberty, Justice, Freedom, and Forward as first-time voters from Milwaukee. Set across Wisconsin landscapes at dawn, midday, dusk, and night, the works reflect how democratic values are lived, protected, and renewed at the local level.
Constructed from discarded stencil paper and leftover spray paint collected during the 2020 installation of Shepard Fairey’s Voting Rights Are Human Rights mural, the series bridges more than a century of voting rights activism through both material and design. Inspired in part by Bertha Boyd’s 1911 suffrage poster Votes for Women, the works foreground the central role of women in democracy, from early suffragists to first-time voters today, uniting generations through civic participation and creative resistance.
Built collaboratively over ten months with the support of Milwaukee artists and community volunteers, Pillars of Democracy reminds us that democracy is not abstract, but rather something we actively build, sustain, and strengthen through everyday acts of participation, dialogue, and collective care.
Presented during The Contemporary Dayton’s 35th anniversary season, the exhibition reflects our ongoing commitment to freedom of expression and to creating space for artistic inquiry, civic engagement, and public dialogue.
Johnson is a Milwaukee-based artist, curator, and Executive Director of the Forward Art Initiative. She earned her BFA from the University of Memphis and her MA/MFA in Studio Art from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her work is included in the collection of the Dayton Art Institute and has been reviewed in publications including The New York Times, The Guardian, Hyperallergic, and Vice Magazine.

OPENING NIGHT / Wednesday, July 1
Member & Sponsor Preview: 5-6 pm
Public Reception: 6-8 pm
Artist Talk: 6:30 pm

Exhibit: Our Fire Is Stronger Than Your Bombs
2026-08-15 | The International Peace Museum, 10 N. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH, 45402
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war continues until now, ruining the lives of millions of people and uprooting the principles of civilized life as we know it. The goal of the exhibition is to raise awareness of the war still raging in the heart of Europe. Our exhibit showcases some of the brilliant artworks of contemporary Ukrainian illustrators living and working in Ukraine, sometimes, with no power, water, cell signal, or Internet connection. Many of them have long collaborated with global media, in particular The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Zeit, Adweek, and other outlets. The 25 posters on display have been created by 9 emerging and well-established illustrators since the start of the full-scale invasion. A poster, as a form of fine art blending imagery and text, is a convenient and iconic statement, a means of rapid, shareable response to the urgent events and personal emotions they trigger. In the context of the massive information war, illustrators have become the voices of the art community, and their activism adds tangible strength to the ‘cultural troops’ who fight propaganda every day, broadcasting facts through artistic images and defending the truth as eyewitnesses.

We’re Doing It ALL Wrong® – 6th Annual Art Exhibition
2026-08-15, 2026-08-16 | Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St., Dayton, OH, 45402
The Public Reception will be held on Saturday, August 8th from 2pm-4pm.
Previous exhibitions pushed boundaries, featuring artwork that tackled complex and visceral subjects. As artists consider their submissions, they may reflect on the breadth of topics explored in previous years:
Environmental & Industrial Ethics: The devastating ecological impact of mass-production of material goods, corporate farming and the escalating urgency of climate change.
Human Rights & Social Crisis: The controversies of immigration laws and enforcement, the epidemic of missing Native American women, the cycle of homelessness, and the persistent weight of social injustice.
Systems of Control: The burden of sky-high pharmaceutical prices, the psychological manipulation of gaslighting, and our collective, increasing dependence on technology.

The Photography of Jake Schneider
2026-08-15, 2026-08-16, 2026-08-17, 2026-08-18 | Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
We’re excited to welcome the photography of Jake Schneider to our walls for the month of August. Get to know more about Jake ans preview his work at https://sites.google.com/view/jake-schneider-

Movies at THE NEON
2026-08-15, 2026-08-16, 2026-08-17, 2026-08-18 | THE NEON, United States
Downtown Dayton’s independent movie theater has a great lineup of films showing every day.
Visit neonmovies.com for a schedule of what’s playing today!

Art in the City Juried Art Show
2026-08-15 | Dayton Arcade, 35 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402
In this special juried exhibit, you can vote for your favorite piece of artwork submitted by local artists! These pieces will be displayed in the newly opened North Arcade wing of The Dayton Arcade as part of Art in the City. Visit the art in person and then vote here: bit.ly/4vMrKu5. The Juried Art Show is organized by the Dayton Society of Artists and supported by the Dayton Daily News.

LeMonde Light Lane
2026-08-15, 2026-08-16, 2026-08-17, 2026-08-18 | Third Street, Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Light Lane is an interactive public art installation created by LeMonde Studio. It combines stationary bicycles, projection mapping, lighting, and sound to create a human-powered immersive experience that encourages play, sustainability, and community interaction. Four bicycles will be featured on Third Street in front of The Dayton Arcade during this month-long exhibit.
Light Lane is sponsored by PNC.

Music at the Market
2026-08-15 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | 2nd Street Market, 600 E. Second St., Dayton, OH, 45402, USA
Enjoy live entertainment at the 2nd Street Market. Let local musicians, featuring a variety of genres, add to your shopping experience.
Mike Sedmak: Aug. 1 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Steven Strings: Aug. 8 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tony Gretsch: Aug. 9 – 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jonathan Hamilton: Aug. 15 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Edde Osborne: Aug. 22 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tony Peters: Aug. 29 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Steven Strings: Aug. 30 – 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Art in the City: Dance Pop-Up
2026-08-15 11:00 - 14:00 | Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Art in the City Bonus: DANCE POP-UPPlus, Digital Greeting Card Workshop from the African American Visual Artists Guild – create a digital card to print and take home!
Saturday, August 1511am-2pmDayton Metro Library Eichelberger Forum Dance StageAll free!
Watch local artists perform a variety of dance, including ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, traditional, and more!
See library listing for additional details:https://dayton.bibliocommons.com/…/6a3099bf8d1b82ca9f7a…
Art in the City is Downtown Dayton’s annual celebration of the incredible collection of visual and performing arts experiences in our city.NEW THIS YEAR: 1 MONTH, 3 WAYS TO CELEBRATE!
Find all the details at our website for the ways to experience Art in the City this year, all August long! https://downtowndayton.org/…/summer-in…/art-in-the-city/

Guided Tours
2026-08-15 14:00 - 15:00 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Join us for an inside look at the exhibition, with fresh insights into the artist and their work. FREE and open to all.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981877243185?aff=oddtdtcreator

Take it for a Spin!
2026-08-15 14:00 - 16:00 | MADE Studio & Shop, 735 Wayne Ave., Dayton, OH, 45410
Have you always wanted to try the pottery wheel? Looking for something different to do with friends or for a date night? Take it for a Spin is a one-time wheel experience designed for complete beginners. It’s relaxed, supportive, and hands-on. We’ll walk you through throwing a small vessel on the wheel, and you’ll have the chance to give it a go. Expect a few laughs and muddy hands. Your piece will stay with us to be finished through the full process, including glazing and two kiln firings. We’ve expanded Take it for a Spin to include more time and more clay — we heard you. Giving you a bit more space to get comfortable at the wheel. Duration: One time, 2 hours Clay Included: 3 pounds total, divided into three 1-pound portions What You Will Learn Throwing: You will wedge clay, center a small amount on the wheel, open the form, and begin pulling walls into a simple cylinder or bowl. Working in 1-pound increments allows you to reset and try again. Process: You will learn what happens after your piece leaves your hands including drying, bisque firing, glazing, and glaze firing. One finished piece is included. If you choose to keep more than one, additional pots may be fired for $10 each to cover kiln and glaze costs. The full firing and glazing process takes approximately four weeks.

McGuffey Lane
2026-08-15 19:00 | Levitt Pavilion Dayton, 134 S. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402
August 15 @ 7:00 PM

Free Admission

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Series:

Tim Tye’s Midnight Sky Country/Americana Series

Genre:

Country/Rock

McGuffey Lane is a country rock band from central Ohio. In 1972 founding members Steve George Reis (bass/ vocals) and Terry Efaw (steel guitar/ gut string guitar/ electric guitar) were a duo called “Scotch and Soda”. When they added Bobby Gene McNelley (vocalist/ guitarist) they renamed themselves McGuffey Lane after the street of Steve’s Athens Ohio home. As their popularity grew they added Dick Smith (drums/ vocals) and Stephen “Tebes” Douglass (keyboards/ harmonica/ vocals). In 1977 McGuffey Lane started playing at Zachariah’s Red Eye Saloon and soon became the house band. At that point they added John Schwab (vocalist/ guitarist) who was opening for them as the sixth and final member of the original McGuffey Lane.
McGuffey Lane played at Zachariah’s through 1980. In August of 1980 they released their first self-titled album on Paradise Island Records selling 40,000 in the first three months. The album reached #1 in Columbus during the fall of 1980 which gained the attention of Atlantic Records. Atlantic released the album nationally on its Atco Label with sales of 175,000. During the early 1980’s McGuffey Lane was a national act touring with Charlie Daniels, the Allman Brothers, The Judds and Marshall Tucker Band. In 1981 they released their second album “Aqua Dreams” followed by their third album “Let the Hard Times Roll” released in 1982. In early 1984 Tebes Douglass was killed in an automobile accident returning home from a show in Dayton. They released their fourth and final album for Atlantic “Day by Day” and dedicated it to Tebes. After the release of “Day by Day”, Bobby Gene McNelley left the band to pursue a solo song writing career.
In 1985 McGuffey Lane went back to their Ohio roots playing clubs, concert halls, fairs and festivals. In 1986 they released “A McGuffey Lane Christmas”, a fundraiser for the Central Ohio Lung Association. In 1990 McGuffey Lane disbanded after a tour through the state and a last night at the Newport Music Hall. In 1993 they did a “one time show” at the Newport and in 1995 they released “Greatest Hits Live and More”. At that point McGuffey Lane regrouped featuring John Schwab, Terry Efaw and Casey McGowan from the 1980’s line up. They were joined by veteran Columbus area musicians including Molly Pauken (mandolin, acoustic guitar, vocals). In 1998 they released “Call Me Lucky” . It was during 1998 that current McGuffey Lane members joined the band. Randy Huff (drums/ vocals) joined in the summer of 1998 and Kevin Reed (harmonica/ vocals) joined at the end of 1998.
In 2001 McGuffey Lane organized the First Annual Zachariah’s Red Eye Saloon Reunion featuring themselves and other acts that performed during the Zach’s days. In 2002 they released all acoustic CD “Wood” which included popular concerts songs from the late 1970’s but never previously released. In 2003 the Zachariah’s Red Eye Saloon Reunion moved to Promo West Pavilion and has been held there (now Kemba LIVE!) every year since. Finally in 2006 after years of fighting with Atlantic over the rights to their first four albums recorded in the mid 1980’s, Rhino Records released them in 2 albums sets. The first self-titled album and “Aqua Dreams” in one set and “Let the Hard Times Roll” and “Day by Day” in the second set.
In 2010 McGuffey Lane released their 10th CD “10” on Lick Records which was co-founded by John Schwab. In 2011 “Bartender” from the “10” CD was released as a single. It reached #50 on the national country charts (Music Row Magazine). In June 2017 McGuffey Lane released their 11th and latest CD “Legend of the Red Eye” on Lick Records. In a review of “Legend of the Red Eye” Dave Culbertson writes: “If you like the “country” side of The Lane…you should love this one. It is an interesting mixture of originals and masterfully-done covers of some of the country and country-pop classics from a variety of artists…all well done…many times, better than the originals.” In November 2017 “Cowboys Like What Cowgirls Do” by Steve George Reis from the new “Legend of the Red Eye” was #1 on the Alternative Country Music chart. The 2023 Zachariah’s Red Eye Reunion was held on Saturday January 21st at Kemba LIVE in downtown Columbus Ohio to another capacity crowd.
McGuffey Lane’s history mirrors one of the songs from their 2002 “Wood” album. “I’ve been up and down and all around my head in the clouds and my feet on the ground. Don’t you worry baby don’t you worry about me. Cause I’ve survived everything that comes and goes. I still know which way that old north wind blows. After all these years I’m “Runnin’ Wild and Free”. McGuffey Lane is still going strong with the three original surviving members (Steve George Reis, Terry Efaw and John Schwab) in the band. McGuffey Lane still performs about 20 concerts annually. The Journey Continues and “It’s A Good Day”.
Projects Unlimited & Wyse Family Foundation Gem Series Opener: THE NEW OLD-FASHIONED

Artist in Training (AIT) Program
2026-08-17 15:00 - 18:00 | K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferson St., Dayton, OH, 45402
After school Artist in Training program geared for grades 3rd-12th grades. Classes are Monday-Wednesdays from 3:00pm-6:00pm. Open Studio time to explore different types of mediums such as Drawing, Painting, Clay, Digital Art. 20.00 per session for Members/40.00 per session for Non-Members.
