Downtown Dayton Partnership

Fighters for Freedom: William H. Johnson Picturing Justice
2026-08-06, 2026-08-07, 2026-08-08, 2026-08-09 | 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
2026-08-06, 2026-08-07, 2026-08-08, 2026-08-09 | 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
2026-08-06, 2026-08-07, 2026-08-08, 2026-08-09 | 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.

All the World’s a Stage
2026-08-06, 2026-08-07, 2026-08-08, 2026-08-09 | The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH, 45405, United States
May 16–August 9, 2026, Gallery 117
Across cultures, the performing arts—drama, dance, music—have entertained and educated, bringing people together in communal spaces to celebrate and question what it means to be human. Along the way, visual arts have depicted performers and performances, commemorating and giving semi-permanent form to temporal acts, from records of sacred rituals to portraits of leading actors.
At the same time, performance extends beyond the stage to the world, becoming a metaphor for our lives and how we interact with others. As we form our individual identities, we play a variety of roles in a range of social settings at different points in life, all while we serve as the audience of others. Drawing together a range of artworks from the DAI collection, this exhibition shines a spotlight on performers across the ages and how they, in turn, may shape the ways we act.

Niki Johnson: Pillars of Democracy
2026-08-06, 2026-08-07, 2026-08-08 | 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

Collage Night
2026-08-06 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Come get creative in a relaxed, welcome space–no experience necessary! We’ll provide materials, or feel free to bring your own. Whether you’re an experienced artist or just looking to unwind and try something new, this night is all about making, experimenting, and connecting with others through art. Free .

Ron Artis II
2026-08-06 19:00 | Levitt Pavilion Dayton, 134 S. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Ron Artis II

August 6 @ 7:00 PM

Free Admission

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Series:

AES Rock/Pop Series

Genre:

Rock/Blues/Soul/R&B

Hailing from Haleiwa, HI.
One of thirteen children.
This award-winning artist brings a unique soulful-honest-songwriting style to the stage. Performing all original music and energizing audiences all across the globe.
You’ll be sure to leave the experience feeling loved, electrified and pondering the lyrics.
Projects Unlimited & Wyse Family Foundation Gem Series Opener: KELLEN WILLIAMS

Open House at the Front Street Studios
2026-08-07 17:00 - 21:00, 2026-08-08 11:00 - 16:00 | Front Street Galleries, 1001 E. Second St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Let the Front Street Studios be your one-stop-shopping location for art, crafts, photography, vintage retail and so much more. Front Street has 150 studios/stores in 3 different historic buildings. Not only do we have an open-house every first Friday of the month, but we are also open every Saturday from 11AM to 4PM.

First Friday
2026-08-07 17:00 - 21:00 | Downtown Dayton
The beginning of every month starts with a bang in downtown Dayton. First Friday is a free art hop featuring exhibit openings at the galleries, along with a variety of entertainment options, arts demonstrations, live music and more. Add to that everything going on at the restaurants, bars, nightclubs, theaters, comedy club, movie theater and more that make up the downtown mix. First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership. For more info and specific event details, visit the First Friday Facebook page. 224-1518.

SCYTHIAN
2026-08-07 19:00 | Levitt Pavilion Dayton, 134 S. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402
August 7 @ 7:00 PM

Free Admission

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Genre:

Celtic Rock/Folk-Rock

Named after Ukrainian nomads, Scythian (sith-ee-yin) plays roots music from Celtic, Eastern European and Appalachian traditions with thunderous energy, technical prowess, and storytelling songwriting, beckoning crowds into a barn-dance, rock concert experience. Nashville’s Music City Roots says Scythian is ‘what happens when rock star charisma meets Celtic dervish fiddling’, and the Washington Post claims “Scythian’s enthusiasm is contagious, and shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around or hoisting glasses.” The foursome made up of Alexander Fedoryka (Vocals, Fiddle, Mandolin, Harmonica), Danylo Fedoryka (Vocals, Guitar, Accordion), Ethan Dean (Vocals, Upright and Electric Bass, Percussion, Guitar) and Johnny Rees (Vocals, Drums, Percussion) brings various influences together to create a conglomerate which is technically precise and steeped in various folk traditions: The classically trained Fedoryka brothers grew up on Ukrainian folk music and bluegrass, while Ethan Dean was raised on the greats of 60’s & 70’s folk-rock. Lafayette LA raised Johnny Rees brings a Cajun backbeat to the Celtic-Americana fusion giving Scythian yet another dimension which keeps audiences entertained and moving. Scythian is coming off its most prolific year in 2020 with over 1,000 hours of live streams during the Covid Lockdowns, release of two new albums (Roots & Stones and Quaranstream: The Album) and four new music videos. You have to catch the live show to understand why The Cammel City Dispatch said of their Merlefest performance: “[Scythian gives] no quarter in their quest to entertain and bring a joy to their music that gives it an irony-free, wide open feel of manic possibility. The playing is technically brilliant, but it is the energy that carries the day.”

Summer Music Series: Rockin’ Party with The Menus
2026-08-07 19:00 - 21:00 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Join us under the pavilion as the RiverScape Summer Music Series features a Rockin’ Party with The Menus! Get ready for a high-energy night of music and unforgettable stage antics with The Menus! Formed in Cincinnati in 1983, this crowd-favorite has built a reputation for electrifying performances led by frontman Tim Goldrainer, whose powerful vocals, wild wardrobe, and signature moment of kicking confetti-filled balloons into the crowd keeps audiences cheering.
Backed by the standout guitar work of Stephen Chiodi, the rock-solid bass lines of John Castetter, and the rich keyboard sound of Jimi Orwig – including his distinctive Hammond B-3 style, The Menus deliver a full, dynamic sound that has kept fans coming back for decades. Come ready for great music, colorful fun, and a show packed with surprises!
Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy this FREE live concert, while taking in a spectacular sunset over the Great Miami River. The RiverScape Café will be open selling food and drinks along with alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and cocktails, for those 21 and over. The Summer Music Series is presented by AES Ohio, and supported by Jack W. & Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation and Enterprise Roofing.

Threads of History: Quilts by Carolyn Mazloomi
2026-08-08 | 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.

Celebrating our Native American Community with Supaman
2026-08-08 19:00 | Levitt Pavilion Dayton, 134 S. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402
August 8 @ 7:00 PM

Free Admission

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Genre:

Native American Hip-Hop

Levitt Pavilion Dayton invites the community to an evening of music and cultural celebration as Supaman takes the stage on Saturday, August 8 at 7:00 PM. This free, family-friendly event is a celebration of our Native American friends and the power of music to connect and elevate our community’s well-being!
As a member of the “Apsaalooke Nation”, Supaman makes his home on Apsáalooke lands in Montana. “Supaman” Is Christian Takes Gun Parrish, a Native American dancer and innovative hip hop artist who has dedicated his life to empowering and spreading a message of hope, pride and resilience through his original art form. He has been the recipient of the 2017 MTV VMA award for “Best Fight Against the System”! He is also a Nammy “Native American Music Award” winner, “North American Indigenous Image Award winner, and 7 “Tunney Award winner. He was awarded The Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award in Canada for best video and was voted MTV’s new Artist of the Week! His nominations brought him home awards for Best Hip Hop Album and Best Producer for the Indigenous Music Awards. His videos have received millions of views on youtube and facebook which has put him in high demand touring extensively throughout the U.S.A and internationally. He has performed for Google at the Google headquarters in San Francisco. He recently was asked to audition for America’s Got Talent and the Broadway play Hamilton. He is currently on tour around the country spreading the good medicine of resiliency, love, laughter and inclusion.

Artist in Training (AIT) Program
2026-08-10 15:00 - 18:00, 2026-08-11 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.
