Library Exhibits

On display at the Woodbourne Library January 11 - February 22. Opening as part of the 2023 Dayton International Peace Prize celebrations at the University of Dayton Residence, Elemental Love is Women Strong’s call for peace. The Woodbourne Library is pleased to feature the art of these women working in a variety of mediums to promote peace and justice. Participating artists in this exhibit include Diana Barr, Erin Morgan Smith Glenn, Cydnie L. King, Nasrin Majidi, Marsha M. Pippenger, and Elyssa Wortzman.

See the exhibit here.

Since 2018, Women Strong has been showing how a diverse group of artists can build a community of friendship around art. Co-founders Audrey Davis and Janet Lasley invited artists of various ethnic backgrounds, ages, cultures and life experiences to come together to support one another and spark meaningful conversations while sharing and showing their art. Their exhibitions promote discussions about the importance of art and friendships across cultures.

Visit the Woodbourne Library December 5 - January 2 to view the whimsical work of Jeff Potter. Potter is a native Ohioan and currently an illustrator for Blood Scream Comics, a local comic book publisher. His illustrations have also appeared in titles published by Apogee Comics, Sparkle Comics and the magazine Once Upon a Time. When not involved in graphic projects, he tries his hand at oil paintings. These pieces are in the traditional representational mode with the subjects being predominantly whimsical, fairy tale characters and landscapes.

See photos of the exhibit here

To see other samples of Jeff Potter's work, please visit the blog site: potterssketchbook.blogspot.com.

This annual exhibit honors our military veterans. Uniforms, artifacts, and historical items were on display. This year, the "Forever Honor" exhibit pays tribute to the Vietnam War experience including reflections on the summer's The Wall That Heals exhibit.

A reception following the Veterans Day Ceremony at 11:00 AM, November 11, at Stubbs Park, was held in the Cynthia Klinck Community Room at the Centerville Library (111 W. Spring Valley Road), and the public was invited for light refreshments.

Presented in partnership with Centerville-Washington History. For All Ages. Follow this link to see photos of the exhibit and the program.

Visit the Woodbourne Library November 3 – December 4 to view the work of R. Darden Bradshaw. Bradshaw works primarily with the historically rich and labor-intensive processes of wet and needle-felting, quilting, and weaving. Her abstract felted landscape works physically and metaphorically bind together experiences of place, walking, and the literature of place to examine cultural and social constructs.

See photos of the exhibit here

Visit the Woodbourne Library October 5 – November 1 to view the work of collage artist Marsha Pippenger.  “I am drawn to trees. Leafless trees. Bare trees with twisting sculptural branches that cast bewitching shadows. They remind me of people. I imagine them talking to one another, becoming friends, striking funny poses, supporting each other in sorrow, throwing their branches skyward in joy. This series is all about trees and their feelings.”

Pippenger has a lifetime of experience in the visual arts area creating and selling original work, conducting workshops, acting as a resident artist in schools, directing a university art gallery, and owning and managing a commercial art gallery. She is a Kennedy Center certified teaching artist actively supporting and promoting the arts in the Dayton community. Visit her website at PippengerART.com. See the Tree Whispers exhibit here

Visit Woodbourne Library August 31 - October 3 to see the second exhibit in Duet & Duality. Mike Elsass is an internationally-recognized artist with paintings in more than 2,000 private collections. He is well known as a creative force in the Dayton art community, having inspired a movement of creative resurgence.

......color - black and white; paper - metal; thought out - spontaneous; challenged - healthy; alive - transitioned; new - repurposed; individual - community; alone - collaboration; artist - mentor/coach; industrial - organic; diminish - evolve; harmony - diversity; sharp - smooth ....

These are just a few of the contrasts that stimulate the creativity that is Mike Elsass. These contrasts become a study in 'Duet and Duality' brought to life through this nationally revered artist's work. Inspired by the use of recycled metal coupled with a wide array of repurposed materials, Mike creates unconventional art while inspiring others to spontaneously do the same. Mike finds art in everything and everyone he encounters - and his work celebrates the harmony and diversity he sees.

During the September exhibit you can experience Mike's 'Duet and Duality' philosophy through Mike's pieces displayed throughout the library including this Ira inspired alive - transitioned collaboration. Inspired? Discover your own 'Duet and Duality' through Mike's Brush before Brain class. View photos of the exhibit here

Visit Woodbourne Library August 2 - 30 to explore the work of Ira Beryl Brukner (1948-2015), a self-taught abstract painter, of Yellow Springs, Ohio, who began painting in his late 40s. He published four books of poetry, performed with jazz musicians, and taught poetry in the schools. Internationally known artist Mike Elsass reimagined works of the late, local artist Brukner, and created artistic interpretation - celebrating the 'Duet and Duality' of alive - transitioned - ensuring that Ira's art lives on. Elsass perceives art in everything and everyone he encounters - his work celebrates the affinity and diversity of each experience. Employing the use of recycled metal coupled with an array of repurposed materials, Elsass creates unconventional art while inspiring others to spontaneously do the same. During the August exhibit you can discover Brukner's art, coupled with Brukner's poetry - while experiencing Elsass' and Brukner's 'Duet and Duality' collaboration. View photos of this exhibit.

Visit the Woodbourne Library July 3 - 31, 2023 to view this 12-panel exhibit. Researched and designed by an interdisciplinary team of Miami University faculty and staff, the Finding Freedom Summer Traveling Exhibit teaches timely lessons about the civil rights movement, racial injustice and civil unrest. This project was funded as a deep-learning grant by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio. Based on the 1964 Freedom Summer Training Program hosted on the campus of Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio, the panels tell a compelling visual story using documentary photography rooted in local history, activism, and civic participation. The Freedom Summer Training Program prepared approximately 800 volunteer college students to register Black voters in Mississippi.

Visit Woodbourne Library June 1 - 28, 2023 to view various art forms created by library staff in the third annual After Hours: A Staff Exhibit. Some art is located at Centerville Library. Selected art is for sale. View photos of the exhibit.