For More Information:

Kristen Wicker, 937-224-1518, ext. 228, or Krystal Luketic, ext. 227

Make a Night of It Downtown during the February

First Friday
Shop for Valentine’s Day gifts, visit new exhibits, catch some performance
art and more.

Dayton, Jan. 26, 2011 – The next free monthly downtown art hop will be held
from 5 to 10 p.m. Feb. 4 at:
• 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.
• Las Americas Caribbean Cuisine, 524H E. Fifth St.
• Press, 257 Wayne Ave.
• ReCreate, 438 E. Fifth St.
• The Wine Gallery & Café, 5 W. Monument Ave.

Gallery 510 Fine Art will feature an exhibit and performance by Dayton-based
artist Issa Randall, who literally will “take up residency” in the front window of
Gallery 510 from Jan. 24 through Feb. 11 as part of the 510 Project. Randall’s
exhibit, “They Got Campbell’s, We Get Soup,” looks at the often-ignored parts
of our society, such as minorities and the working poor. Randall will create art using
handmade paper and a burning process during a 7 p.m. performance. The gallery
also will host an exhibit of the fine art jewelry of Sara Cogswell and Laura Poplin.

Two restaurants are joining First Friday this month. Las Americas Caribbean
Cuisine will feature live, Hispanic music performed by Latin American singers
Enrique and Gaby Medina from 6 to 9 p.m. The Wine Gallery & Café will host an
opening reception for an exhibit of works by Brendon Higgins, a graduate of
Columbus College of Art and Design with a major in Illustration. Higgins’ work is
inspired by the bold colors of nature, and he’s constantly trying to capture the
boldness of nature’s beauty with photography.

Press, an espresso bar and arts space, will host the exhibit “You Kill Me” from 5 to
10 p.m. featuring new works by Aubrey Johnson and Jeremie Jordan. Elaine
Balsley Fine Art will host an open house featuring a variety of contemporary art
from 3 to 10 p.m., and 5th street clayworx will feature pottery and paper art.
ReCreate will feature original art, instruments and other music-related items.
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Feb. 4, 2011, First Friday, page 2

Color of Energy gallery owner Mike Elsass will host a preview of his new work and
an exhibition of photography by Jim Korpi and Ross Mantle. 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.

The Cannery Art and Design Center will host the exhibit “Romancing the Metal,”
featuring silversmithing techniques by David Brand and Sandra Picciano-Brand from
7 to 9:30 p.m. The couple will create sterling silver and bronze art jewelry and
vessels associated with Valentine’s Day. As part of REACH Across Dayton (Realizing
Ethnic Awareness and Cultural Heritage), the Dayton Visual Arts Center will host
two new shows, “Reconciliation I: Chris Bucher” and “Reconciliation II: Takeshi
Moro.” Visitors are welcome to participate in a Community Art Project from 5 to 8
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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