Tell us a bit about yourself and your business.
I’m Ed Dixon, and I’m the owner of the Edward A. Dixon Gallery. I’ve been involved in creative spaces for the last 20 years, executive producing music, participating in the film & television industry, helping to produce fashion shows, and now curating artwork for my gallery. I’ve operated the gallery for going on four years in downtown Dayton. The gallery recently moved down the street from its original Ludlow Street location next to the Arcade to now being located inside the Talbott Tower. Throughout its existence, the gallery has always strived to both be a community resource as well as a place that strives to bring Dayton art into the international conversation. The gallery often features local and regional artists, but includes a roster of artists from outside the U.S. as well.
What made you decide to open your own small business and how long have you been in operation?
I decided not long before opening the gallery that I wanted to bring a little of the character of the galleries and museums I frequented in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and other cities to the Dayton area. The wall colors from the first location, the old world style art that is frequently exhibited, the furnishings, the diversity of artist style and geography and other items are things I chose to give the gallery the feel I was looking to present to the Dayton art market. Not being an art major it may not have been the most expected business idea, but over the years I have grown a real passion for experiencing and sharing art. The idea, planning and execution all happened in less than a year’s time and culminated with a Grand Opening in September 2017.
What do you enjoy about working in downtown Dayton?
Downtown Dayton is the center of the city and allows guests easy access to the gallery. Being accessible to the community is important, and once the coronavirus pandemic is under control, I hope to return to having community center events at the gallery again. Being downtown also provides me and the gallery assistants access to various amenities around downtown that are usually in short walking distance. I’ve been a downtown tenant for over 2 decades and I am enjoying the resurgence currently going on downtown from the Levitt Pavilion and other arts venues to the increased residential units and multi-use developments.
Tell us something about your business that may surprise people to learn.
I think the relaxed and non-judgmental attitude at the gallery may surprise people. Art galleries can have a perception of being for people with extensive art backgrounds, deep pockets, or both, but the Edward A. Dixon Gallery welcomes anyone interested in art with any level of experience.
How is your business coping with the pandemic and how can people support you now?
One way the business found to cope with the difficulties caused by the pandemic was to move to a smaller location that also featured heavier foot traffic. Adjusting public hours and focusing a bit more on website traffic were other coping mechanisms. So, people browsing the website and sharing artwork from the gallery on their social media pages is big way to support, and, of course, purchasing a great piece of artwork by one of the talented artists featured at the gallery goes a long way to keeping the gallery operating through these difficult times.
Edward A. Dixon Gallery
118 W. First St., Suite 11
shop.eadgallery.com/s/shop
937-985-2115
Twitter, Instagram-@eadgallery
Facebook-@eadgallery12
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