Library Exhibits

Coinciding with the nation's election of its 47th president, this exhibition contains Herbert Block's original drawings of presidential cartoons from Franklin Roosevelt through Bill Clinton. Although respectful of the office, Block insisted that no president was "above caricature or comment." For him, the political cartoon was "essentially a means for poking fun, for puncturing pomposity." Herbert Lawrence Block, commonly known as Herblock (October 13, 1909 – October 7, 2001), was an American editorial cartoonist and author best known for his commentaries on national domestic and foreign policy. During the course of a career stretching into nine decades, he won three Pulitzer Prizes for editorial cartooning (1942, 1954, and 1979), shared a fourth Pulitzer Prize in 1973 for Public Service on Watergate, the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1994), the National Cartoonist Society Editorial Cartoon Award in 1957 and 1960, the Reuben Award in 1956, the Gold Key Award (the National Cartoonists Society Hall of Fame) in 1979, and numerous other honors. On display October 21 through December 1 at the Woodbourne Library. See photos of the exhibit here. This exhibition was made by the Herbert Block Foundation.

The Centerville Arts Commission, City of Centerville, and Washington-Centerville Public Library are sponsoring the 2024 Snap Centerville Photo Contest, which will highlight the best photography in the Centerville area. Vote for your favorites! The top three winners in each age bracket will be featured in the Centerville Art Gallery at the Centerville Police Department from December 3 - December 31. On display at the Woodbourne Library October 21 through December 1. See the photos here.

The library and Centerville-Washington History partnered once again for this annual exhibit to honor our Veterans. Besides the uniforms and memorabilia featured from our hometown heroes, we also pay special tribute to the Military Working Dogs (MWD) and their handlers. On display at the Centerville Library November 8 - 11. Shown here are photos from Sophie's Companions for Veterans.

In commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, 6th – 8th grade students studying the German language at Tower Heights Middle School have made their own graffiti projects interpreting the Fall of the Berlin Wall, which led to unification and freedom for all Germans. The Berlin Wall was a concrete barrier that separated West Berlin from East Berlin and the German Democratic Republic from 1961 to 1989. The wall was built to prevent people from escaping East Berlin to the West. The history of divided Germany is closely related to the history of the United States. American forces occupied post-WWII Germany, and helped establish the free, capitalist, and democratic West German government, participated in the Berlin airlift, occupied West Berlin and Checkpoint Charlie, and presidents Kennedy and Reagan made speeches at the Wall, etc. Each design has an alternate side which represents the student artists’ perspective and imagines experience of the Germans and the history of the Berlin Wall. See photos of the exhibit here which is located in the Woodbourne Library Marketplace November 8 - 18.

Renowned Dayton photographer Dan Cleary blends his passion for photography with a fascination for the Wright Brothers' legacy. Cleary seamlessly blends historical images of the Wright Brothers with current images he has taken at the same locations. The result is a compelling visual tribute to the Pioneers of Flight. On display July 26 through September 3 at the Woodbourne Library. View the exhibit here

The work of Dayton artist Bill Franz is featured at the Woodbourne Library June 14 through July 25 in an exhibit titled Jobs from A to Z. The exhibit is a collaborative effort between Franz and his father-in-law, Wally Willaman, age 102, that mingles photography and digital art together to form engaging pieces representing 26 different jobs, each one beginning with a letter of the alphabet. Franz was inspired by the desire to keep the connection with Willaman, who was suffering memory loss. View the exhibit here

Local artist Alisa H. Workman brings her love of nature, art, and science together in The Daughters Collection on display at the Woodbourne Library from May 1 to June 13. Her vision is translated into acrylic paintings of bold flowers and vibrant splashes of color and is inspired by and dedicated to her daughters as they faced health concerns. Each painting tells a story. See more here

Visit Woodbourne Library April 1 - 29 for the 6Stories Exhibition: Teens Telling Stories. 6Stories is a WCPL Teen program that invites teenagers to meet and learn from storytellers of all forms and media so they may know how to tell their own stories and be creative in whatever field they go into. To recognize the stories being created by teens throughout the Centerville area, the library has hosted the first 6Stories Exhibition featuring acrylics, marker and ink, written word, and clay. See photos of the exhibit here.

Visit the Woodbourne Library February 26 - March 26 to view the works of 16 artists exhibited in "Creature Kaleidoscope." Working in a variety of mediums including ceramics, embroidery, photography, textiles, needle-felted fiber, color pencil, acrylics, watercolor, and woodcut prints, the artists have created a kaleidoscope of their favorite animals! See photos of the exhibit here.

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.