Downtown Dayton Partnership

RESILIENCE
2026-02-21 | Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Resilience opens at the Edward A. Dixon Gallery on February 5th featuring several local artists ranging from a University Student to 30 year career artists. This exhibition is the gallery’s response to Black History month and features images that are powerful, regal and positive. Please, mark your calendars for the Opening Reception on Thursday, February 5th from 5pm-8pm. The exhibition dates are February 5th through March 15th.

Sandra Aska, Andy Holliday, & Paul Rienzo Exhibits
2026-02-21 | Galleries at Sinclair College, 444 W. Third St., Bldg. 13, Dayton, OH, 45402
The Sinclair Community College Art Department is pleased to present works by Sandra Aska, Andy Holliday, and Paul Rienzo in the Burnell R. Roberts Triangle Gallery and Works on Paper Gallery. Capturing moments of perplexity, quirkiness, thoughtfulness, and beauty, Aska gives clay life through her figurative sculptures. Toolmarks and fingerprints left in the works imbue an expressionistic looseness to the forms. She works intuitively by allowing each form to emerge from the clay and invites the viewer to offer their own interpretation. Holliday’s non-representational prints stem from images that are observed, recorded, and repeatedly reprocessed through systems to alter them. Exploring the idea of attention as a measure of value, he gathers an archive of media to process, builds complexity, and subsequently creates the final work through traditional printmaking techniques. Rienzo’s photorealistic still life paintings explore archetypal themes found across cultures and historical periods. The depicted objects are laden with symbolic power and when combined with others from differing cultures and eras, explore the idea of untold myths and interconnectivity. There will be a virtual artist talk via Zoom on February 20, 2026, at 12pm. Visit www.sinclair.edu/artgalleries for details. The exhibitions will be on display from February 10 – March 13, 2026. Galleries are located on the fourth floor of building 13 (located at West Fifth and Perry Streets). The galleries are free and open to the public from 8am–6pm Monday–Friday and 9am–12pm Saturdays. Free and accessible parking is located in Parking Lot K.

Temporary Exhibit: Ordinary Lives
2026-02-21 | The International Peace Museum, 10 N. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH, 45402
“Ordinary Lives imagines Palestinian existence as an unbroken continuum—a lineage of care, memory, and everyday beauty that stretches from ancient ritual to the present moment. Across the gallery, Mona Gazala’s photographic works and George Harb’s intimate family archive come together to affirm that Palestinian life is shaped not solely by survival, but by an enduring inheritance of joy, dignity, and deep interior worlds.

In Gazala’s images, ancestral echoes surface through gestures and objects that bridge archaeology and lived experience. Portraits that invoke ancient forms of veneration and photographs that draw on the quiet symbolism of archaeological fragments work in concert to honor the overlooked, the ordinary, and the deeply rooted. Whether reimagining the visual language of early ancestral practices or elevating humble shards as vessels of story, these works collectively underscore a truth that stretches across millennia: what persists is reverence—reverence for family, land, and the accumulated layers of Palestinian life.

These themes resonate through the collage of George Harb’s archival videos and photographs spanning the diaspora, Ramallah, Jerusalem, and greater Palestine. His extensive family documentation—childhood scenes, celebrations, rites of passage, and landscapes of home—reveals generations living with tenderness, intuition, and grounded connection. It offers a glimpse of Palestinian joy and interiority, sustained independently of external forces and carried forward despite trauma.

Together, Gazala’s contemporary works and Harb’s historical archive form a unified narrative of continuity: a testament to the ancient and ongoing pulse of Palestinian life. Their stories—rooted in ritual, memory, everyday gestures, and deep familial ties—assert that Palestinian presence has never been broken.”

Gretchen Durst Jacobs: What the Body Carries
2026-02-21 | The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Gretchen Durst Jacobs: What the Body Carries
February 4 – 28, 2026
Opening Reception: February 4, 6 – 8 pm
Closing Reception: February 28, 4 – 6 pm

Gretchen Durst Jacobs: What the Body Carries features new work from the Dayton-based artist. These encaustic monotypes, which merge painting with printmaking, emanate from the body, using gesture, scale, and repetition to explore how experience is physically and emotionally carried. Her abstract compositions balance intuition and structure, with grids often acting as quiet frameworks that hold movement, memory, and sensation in tension. Each encaustic monotype, created through a process that uses hot wax and pigment transferred onto a surface, is unique, and invites viewers to contemplate how feeling takes shape through mark, color, and rhythm.
Artist Statement
My paintings and prints begin with the body. Rooted in somatic experience and attentive to the inner life, the work explores how feeling is carried, processed, and transformed through physical gesture. I often work at a scale that matches my full reach—fingertip to fingertip—so each mark records movement, presence, and intuition. At times a grid enters the work as a quiet stabilizing force, allowing chaos, memory, and motion to coexist within a shared structure.
Although abstract, the work is grounded in more than twenty-five years of painting from direct observation. What has long drawn me to the landscape is how closely it mirrors human experience—its resilience and adaptation, its tenderness, and its moments of tension. Through color, gesture, and layered marks, I move through lived experience as a continuum, allowing feeling to take shape. Each work is an attempt to reconcile emotion with form, to honor what we carry, and to give shape to what cannot always be spoken.
All artworks in this exhibition are available for purchase. Please visit the reception desk or speak to a Staff member to purchase. Proceeds support both the artist and The Contemporary Dayton’s mission to connect artists and audiences through accessible, engaging contemporary art experiences.

About the Artist

Gretchen Durst Jacobs creates abstract paintings and prints, often utilizing a grid and bold, gestural marks to explore our relationship with the self and the natural world. She received her MFA from the University of Cincinnati in 2008 and her BFA from Wright State University in 2000. She attended the New York Studio School for Drawing and Painting Marathons and Summer Sessions in 2000 and 2003. In 2024, she received the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District Individual Artist Grant.
Her work has been exhibited extensively throughout the United States and Internationally. Regional exhibitions include the Dayton Museum of Art; Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, OH; Dana L. Wiley Gallery, Dayton, OH; University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH; the Morgan Conservatory, Cleveland, OH; and Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH. Her international exhibitions include the Lambton Heritage Museum, Ontario, Canada; Alten Feuerwache Loschwitz and Grafikwerkstatt, Dresden, Germany; and the Dayton/Kyoto Print Exchange, Kyoto, Japan. She has permanent public art installations on view at the Dayton Metro Library and the Kettering Government Center.
She is represented by the Dana L. Wiley Gallery. Durst Jacobs works full time in her studio in Dayton, Ohio, and also maintains a studio in Ontario, Canada. Since 2017, she has served as the President of the Dayton Printmakers Cooperative.

Tony Foster, Exploring Time: A Painter’s Perspective
2026-02-21 | The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH, 45405, United States
Tony Foster, Exploring Time: A Painter’s Perspective
February 21–May 17, 2026, Gallery 120
Between 2007 and 2025, Tony Foster embarked on his 19th Journey, building it around a profound and layered theme: time. Across this body of work, he investigates how time shapes the land—from the quick shifts of light and weather, to the slow rhythms of seasons, to the immense scales of biological and geological transformation. As Foster explains, his aim is “to draw attention to the unseen forces that create place.”
Exploring Time brings together a remarkable series of watercolor diaries that capture nature in motion. His paintings reveal signs of change on multiple fronts: geological upheavals, biological cycles and the marks left by human activity. With a discerning eye, Foster records not only nature’s strength and resilience but also its vulnerability, even in landscapes once dominated by industry and later reclaimed.
In a world where environmental change is often conveyed through striking images of global warming, Foster offers a different perspective, one that considers Earth’s continual evolution and the visible traces of time’s passage. Organized into four themes: geological, biological, human and the fleeting, this exhibition invites viewers to engage with time at every scale, from the span of a moment to the stretch of millennia, while reflecting on the enduring impact of human presence.

Celebrate Black History Month
2026-02-21 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | 2nd Street Market, 600 E. Second St., Dayton, OH, 45402, USA
Celebrate Black History Month. Visit with the National Park Service (NPS) and learn about Charles Young, a Buffalo Solider who graduated from West Point in 1889. The NPS maintains the Charles Young National Museum in Wilberforce, Ohio.

Oscar Shorts 2026 Animation
2026-02-21 11:00, 2026-02-21 17:30 | THE NEON, United States
We’re delighted to once again bring all the Oscar nominees for “Best Animated Short Film” (plus one additional film that was shortlisted) starting Feb. 20.
Here are this year’s films:
THE THREE SISTERS – Dir. Konstantin Bronzit | Israel, Cyprus | 14min
FOREVERGREEN – Dir. Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears | United States | 13min
THE GIRL WHO CRIED PEARLS – Dir. Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski | Canada | 17min
BUTTERFLY – Dir. Florence Miailhe | France | 15min
RETIREMENT PLAN – Dir. John Kelly | Ireland | 7min
ÉIRU **Shortlisted- Dir. Giovanna Ferrari | Ireland | 13min
Some films in this program include some disturbing and mature content and may not be suitable for young children.

Space Three Glow Up
2026-02-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Space Three, 39 S. St. Clair St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Celebrate self-love this Valentine’s season with a nourishing Self-Care & Glow experience designed to help you slow down, reconnect, and treat yourself—because you deserve it. This special event blends mindful movement with mini facials courtesy of Kate Edmondson (Tend & Flourish) to support both body and skin wellness. We’ll begin with gentle, grounding movement to release tension, improve circulation, and help you arrive fully in the moment. From there, you’ll transition into a relaxing mini facial experience using a curated facial product kit you get to use during the event. You’ll be guided step-by-step with hands-on instruction, along with expert advice and personalized recommendations for caring for your skin beyond the event. Learn simple, effective techniques, understand what your skin needs, and discover how to build a routine that supports healthy, glowing skin at home. Whether you come solo or with a friend, this Valentine’s-inspired self-care gathering is all about warmth, softness, and intentional time for yourself. Space is limited, so be sure to register in advance and give yourself (or someone you love) the gift of rest, glow, and self-appreciation. $35.00 https://momence.com/Space-Three-Dayton/Space-Three-Glow-Up-/128670634

Saturday Art Workshops
2026-02-21 11:00 - 13:00 | K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferson St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Saturday Art Workshops for Kindergarten-12th Grade and Adults. Each month explore a different art medium (Clay, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Mosaics, Drawing, Photography, in a different theme/artistic style (K-12th grade). For Adults classes in Mosaics, Stained Glass, and Glassblowing. Saturday Classes run from September 2025-May 2026. 11:00am-1:00pm. Call for Costs.

Jellyfish Terrarium Workshop
2026-02-21 12:00 - 15:00 | Now and Zen DIY Studio, 121 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Join us for a splash of creativity as you craft your very own whimsical floating jellyfish terrarium! Pick from a treasure trove of vessels and delightful urchin/air plant ‘jellyfish’ to make your artistic vision come alive. Let the creativity flow! https://www.shopnowandzen.com/open-workshop

Living Legacy: The Permanent Collection of The Dayton Society of Artists
2026-02-21 12:00 - 17:00 | Dayton Society of Artists, 48 High Street, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Founded in 1938, the Dayton Society of Artists (DSA) has been a vital part of the Miami Valley’s cultural landscape for more than eight decades, dedicated to connecting, supporting, and educating artists and the community. The DSA Permanent Collection reflects this enduring legacy, preserving works by past and present members whose practices span generations, media, and artistic approaches. Featuring artists such as Edward Burroughs, Rosalie Lowery, Jane Reese, Gerald Jerry Page, Siegfried Weng, and Robert Koepnick, this exhibition offers a glimpse into the creative voices that have shaped the organization over time. Together, these works function not only as individual expressions, but as a living record of the Dayton Society of Artists’ ongoing commitment to artistic excellence, experimentation, and community engagement.

Midwinter Break
2026-02-21 13:00, 2026-02-21 15:10, 2026-02-21 17:15, 2026-02-21 19:30 | THE NEON, United States
Longtime retired couple Stella and Gerry realize that their relationship has reached a crossroads while on holiday in Amsterdam. After so much time and so many memories, long-held promises and deeply concealed wounds threaten to come to light and force them to confront their future.
A stirring meditation on faith, commitment, and the enduring power of love.
Director
Polly Findlay
Producer
Guy Heeley, Floor Onrust
Cast
Lesley Manville, Julie Lamberton, Ciarán Hinds

Buckeye Wedding Expo
2026-02-21 13:00 - 17:00 | Dayton Arcade, 35 W. Fourth St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Engagement season is in full bloom, and the Buckeye Wedding Expo is set to fill the historic Dayton Arcade with all of the area’s best wedding vendors. On Saturday, February 21, and Sunday, February 22, 2026 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM engaged couples and their guests are invited to experience this high-energy, interactive planning environment. Breaking away from the traditional “pipe-and-drape” trade show model, the Buckeye Wedding Expo offers an experience-driven approach. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet industry experts face to face while sampling food, drink and entertainment from talented artists Event Highlights Include: Sample Food and Drink: Sample gourmet catering, signature cocktails, and artisan cakes from Dayton’s finest culinary experts. Bridal Fashion Show: Take a seat at the main stage for a captivating display of the latest wedding fashions from one of our local boutiques, Bahar & Reza Bridal. Wedding Showcase: A visually stunning example of what a wedding reception can look like with vision and the right vendor team. Networking Opportunities: Ample time for attendees to connect with potential vendors, such as, venues, caterers, DJ’s, photographers, florist, and more. Event Décor Re-Sale: Gently used items are given another life at our re-sale area. Local couples and wedding vendors come together to offer wedding treasures from decor to accessories. “Buckeye Wedding Expo was created out of a desire to revitalize and redefine the wedding show industry.” Says Shawn Huey, Owner at Buckeye Wedding Expo and Legacy Event Group. “We offer a fresh and innovative approach that focuses on personalization, creativity, and the celebration of love all while inspiring couples to envision their perfect day in a new and meaningful way. This isn’t just about collecting business cards—it’s about seeing, tasting, and feeling your wedding vision come to life.” Tickets & Attendance Tickets are $10.00 with buy one get one free online. Children 12 and under are free. Early registration is encouraged to ensure personalized lanyards for engaged attendees, which help vendors provide tailored information based on the wedding date. For more information, to purchase tickets, or to inquire about vendor booth space, please visit www.buckeyeweddingexpo.com.

Screening of “Trail Markers”
2026-02-21 14:00 | The International Peace Museum, 10 N. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Join us on February 21 at 2 pm for a screening of Mona Gazala’s documentary film, “Trail Markers.” Part artist autobiography and part historical documentary, this film follows Mona’s move to rural Darke County, Ohio, and her discovery of the unlikely existence of a significant artifact related to Palestine’s history, housed in the county museum just a few miles from her new home. What is the artifact, and how did it wind up there? This film follows a winding road to the answers, and along the way, connects the dots between empire and diaspora.

Jazz and Funk Legacies in the Gem City
2026-02-21 14:30 - 16:30 | Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
Electric Soul: Jazz & Funk — Legacies in the Gem City Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of music, culture, and community as the Dayton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. presents: Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026 Time: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM Location: Dayton Metro Library – Main Branch, 215 E. Third St., Dayton, OH 45402 Admission: FREE! (Donations of non-perishable food items are welcome) Featuring performances by: The Five Elements Yvette “Diva” Williams A special tribute to Dayton’s Jazz & Funk Legends This event celebrates the rich musical heritage of the Gem City and showcases the next generation of talent. Come groove with us and honor the legacy of Dayton’s iconic sound! Register today via the QR code or email us at: daytonartsandletters@gmail.com Presented in partnership with Dayton Metro Library and supported by the Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF).

Oscar Shorts 2026 Live Action
2026-02-21 15:00, 2026-02-21 19:20 | THE NEON, United States
Overview
All five Oscar nominees for “Best Live Action Short Film” will head to THE NEON starting Feb. 20.
Here are this year’s contenders:
THE SINGERS – Dir. Sam A. Davis | United States | 18min
BUTCHER’S STAIN – Dir. Meyer Levinson-Blount | Israel | 26min
A FRIEND OF DOROTHY – Dir. Lee Knight | United Kingdom | 21min
TWO PEOPLE EXCHANGING SALIVA – Dir. Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata | France, United States | 36min
JANE AUSTEN’S PERIOD DRAMA – Dir. Julia Aks and Steve Pinder | United States | 12min
Some films in this program contain adult language, adult themes, and sensual images. Recommended for persons 17 and up.

Rock Night with George Balog
2026-02-21 19:00 - 23:00 | The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
George Balog is back with an all-vinyl set of rock jams on Saturday, February 21st! The party kicks off at 7pm. Each guest will receive a complimentary air guitar with the purchase of their first pint.
No cover, just rock.

Classic Albums Live Performs Eagles: Hotel California
2026-02-21 19:30 | Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
We all have our personal image of what the Hotel California looks like. We can see ourselves in the lobby and we know what the staff looks like. We feel the vibe. That’s the secret ingredient in making a classic album – being able to insert yourself into the album. Classic Albums Live invites you to immerse yourself in Eagle’s Hotel California, from the Grammy-winning “New Kid In Town,” to the deep cuts like “Wasted Time” and “Pretty Maids All In A Row.”
Note for note. Cut for cut. That’s what you’ll experience live at the Victoria Theatre with Classic Albums Live concerts. This unique series recreates classic rock albums in their entirety. Not a cover band, not an impersonation, these world-class musicians go to great lengths to faithfully create every sound on the original album in a concert setting.

Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty
2026-02-21 19:30 | The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 West Second Street, Dayton, OH, 45402
An unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages, THE SLEEPING BEAUTY unfolds like a beautiful dream – where good triumphs over evil, love breaks a curse, and music and dancing transport you to a world of fantasy. You’ve seen the movie, but the ballet is an immersive experience for the senses boasting lush scenery, gorgeous recognizable music, and dazzling dancing.

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
2026-02-21 20:00 | PNC Arts Annex, 46 N. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH, 45402
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT bursts to life with a vibrant, song-filled retelling of Joseph, his dazzling coat, and his unforgettable journey. Guided by the spirited Narrators, we follow Joseph — the favorite son — whose jealous brothers sell him into slavery. In Egypt, he rises and falls in Potiphar’s household, only to discover his incredible gift for interpreting dreams behind prison walls. His talent brings him before an Elvis-style Pharaoh, where Joseph’s brilliance saves Egypt from famine, earns him a place at Pharaoh’s side, and ultimately reunites him with his family in a joyful, triumphant finale.

EMO Night with Flicker // Fade
2026-02-21 20:00 - 23:00 | The Brightside, 905 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
Get ready to scream your favorite lyrics and relive your Warped Tour days—EMO NIGHT is coming to Dayton! Featuring a full live performance by Flicker//Fade, this high-energy night will bring you the best of Emo, Pop-Punk, and nostalgic anthems from the golden era of angst. Whether you’re a former scene kid or just discovering the genre, this is your night to sing, jump, and feel everything. Black eyeliner optional—but encouraged. EMO NIGHT ft Flicker//Fade Live Emo Band Night! The ultimate emo night is here on Saturday, February 21st Featuring a live band playing the best of Emo* Pop-Punk* Warped Tour Era Music, and more! HOW TO GO? Saturday, February 21st The Brightside, 905 E 3rd St, Dayton Doors open 7pm $15 advance tickets here: https://tickets.venuepilot.com/e/emo-nght-with-flicker-fade-2026-02-21-the-brightside-music-event-venue-dayton-c02d45 $20 at the door All ages welcome (under 18 needs supervision) There is NO re-entry, so please plan appropriately!

LUNAR – presented by KimL
2026-02-21 21:00 | The Brightside, 905 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402
KimL presents LUNAR – EDM show celebrating another trip around the sun 02.21.26 | sidedoor – brightside | dyt, oh DJ RON PERRY BREAKS & BLENDS KIML B2B DAVID MICHAEL MULTI-GENRE DRAGONFLY TECH HOUSE THE LOST ORDER TRAP/DUBSTEP HOW TO GO? Saturday, February 21, 2026 SideDoor entrance (3rd St – follow signs) 21+ | 9pm thebrightsidedayton.com

Vinyl Vinyl Sundays
2026-02-22 | The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Sunday – Vinyl Vinyl Sunday – bring your records, we’ll play ’em

Polar Bear Express
2026-02-22 | Downtown Dayton
Book a ride on the abominably decorated Pedal Wagon for a 2-hour pedaling adventure through the fest streets of Dayton and to the best bars and restaurants. Reservations required. pedalwagon.com/dayton

Ice Skating
2026-02-22 | RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH, 45402, United States
Sheltered under the covered pavilion, the MetroParks Ice Rink sets the scene as a perfect winter wonderland in downtown Dayton. While the rink is open, you can enjoy delicious treats from the concession area, including a cup of hot chocolate. Take advantage of fun skating activities, such as lessons, themed skating nights and more. Visit metroparks.org/ice-rink to learn more, find daily open hours, and see a schedule of events. Admission: $7 daily, ice skate rental: $3 daily. Season passes available. Ages 3 and under are free with a paying adult. 278-2607.
