For More Information:
Kristen Wicker, 937-224-1518, ext. 228, or Krystal Luketic, ext. 227
New Art Space, Exhibits, Storytelling Featured During March First Friday
Shop for art, visit a variety of exhibits, talk with local artists and listen to live entertainment
Dayton, Feb. 17, 2011 – The next free monthly downtown art hop will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. March 4 at multiple locations:
• 5th street clayworx, 521 E. Fifth St.
• Cannery Art and Design Center, 434 E. Third St.
• Color of Energy, 16 Brown St.
• Color 2 Gallery, 519 E. Fifth St.
• Dayton Visual Arts Center, 118 N. Jefferson St.
• H. David Clay Studio, 33 S. St. Clair St.
• Elaine Balsley Fine Art, 523 E. Fifth St.
• Gallery 510 Fine Art, 510 E. Fifth St.
• Garden Station, 509 E. Fourth St.
• Press, 257 Wayne Ave.
• ReCreate, 438 E. Fifth St.
• St. Clair Lofts, 35 S. St. Clair St.
• The Ohio Coffee Co., 46 W. Fifth St.
• Omega Music, 318 E. Fifth St.
During March’s First Friday, local artists Netta Bits, Mary Anne Kirk, Patrick Mauk and Todd Hall will launch the second in a series of four grassroots exhibits dubbed, “Here Today Gone Tomorrow.” The series reflects the tenuous atmosphere created by the current economic crisis and encourages public participation in the local arts. The second of these pop-up exhibits, titled “Loaded,” will take place in a now-vacant street-level space at the St. Clair Lofts from 5 to 11 p.m. The exhibit includes a mix of artwork, including video installation, prints, painting, photography, sculpture, installation and mixed-media works. Also in the St. Clair Lofts building, H. David Clay Studio will have functional, decorative pottery made on the premises by proprietor H. David Kirchner.
The Ohio Coffee Co. will feature the event “The Speakeasy Story Slam,” in which 10 storytellers will share true-life anecdotes from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Each story will last between five and 10 minutes, and people are invited to sign up and share their own stories. This show will benefit Circus Creative Collective’s annual multimedia art show, “Sideshow 6,” so guests will be asked for a $5 donation at the door.
Omega Music joins First Friday with in-store performances by Me and Mountains starting at 6 p.m., Starving in the Belly of a Whale at 7 p.m., and The Sad Cadillacs at 8 p.m. It also will host a store-wide sale of 10 percent off new CDs and LPs and 15 percent off used.
Garden Station, an outdoor community art park, returns to First Friday and will show murals, sculptures, gardens, a straw-bale shed and a pop-bottle greenhouse made using sustainable building methods.
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March 4, 2011, First Friday, page 2
In the Oregon Arts District, Press, an espresso bar and arts space, will feature the exhibit “ … and the horse you rode in on,” featuring work by Alex Vernon, Jason Watkins and Chris Fullem. Elaine Balsley Fine Art will host an open house featuring a variety of contemporary art from 3 to 10 p.m.
Also in the District, Color of Energy gallery owner Mike Elsass will show a preview of his work that will be featured in Chicago’s Gruen Gallery. Elsass’ second gallery, Color 2, will host an exhibit of work by Jennifer Rosengarten, Bob Rhoades, Ann Kim, Ben Norton, Amanda Baker and Darren Haper. All are part of Confluence, a new program designed to propel the careers of promising Dayton-area artists and keep recent college graduates in the area. As part of the 510 Project, Gallery 510 Fine Art will host Leigh Waltz, who will demonstrate metal stamping from 3 to 10 p.m. At 5th street clayworx, select pottery will be 50 percent off throughout March, and many other pottery, paper and beaded gift options will be available for weddings or special occasions.
K12 Gallery for Young People will open its new art space, TEJAS, to the community. The space will feature paintings by Rebecca Sargent. The Cannery Art and Design Center will feature the works of John Landsiedel, whose art focuses on the materials he uses ― such as rags, scrapers and other tools ― to apply and convey his message.
The Dayton Visual Arts Center (DVAC) will promote emerging artists in “The Cline Show,” featuring work by area college students who were nominated for inclusion by their professors. DVAC will hold a reception for the students from 5 to 8 p.m.
Other entertainment options abound during First Friday. RiverScape Metro Park, 229 E. Monument Ave., will host “Awesome ’80s:" A DJ will spin tunes from Madonna, Blondie, Queen, Duran Duran and more; $5 admission includes use of skates. The monthly Courteous Mass Ride will meet at the PNC 2nd Street Market, 600 E. Second St., at 5:15 p.m. This community of bike-minded individuals gathers for a ride through the city. Canal Street Tavern, 308 E. First St., hosts The Enablers at 9:30 p.m. show; tickets cost $5. Jay’s Seafood Restaurant, 225 E. Sixth St., will host Puzzle of Light at 9 p.m. with no cover charge. Call 222-2892 for reservations. Masque, 34 N. Jefferson St., hosts “Ab Fab Friday,” featuring a variety show and drink specials, at 11:30 p.m. The 88 Club, 219 N. Patterson Blvd., hosts “First Friday College Edition” starting at 10 p.m.
In addition, all the restaurants, retail shops, bars and clubs, The Neon movie theater, Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub, Urban Krag Climbing Center, and other establishments throughout downtown will be open during First Friday. For regular updates about this event, follow First Friday on Facebook. The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more.
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