Dayton artists

Amy Kollar Anderson – Painter

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Amy Kollar Anderson was one of the first artists I met as I was starting to submit my photos to art exhibitions.  As Gallery Coordinator at Kettering’s Rosewood Gallery she networked with artists from around the country.  She gave me valuable advice on the quality of my work and on where I should attempt to show it.

I took the above photo more than a year ago when Amy was ARTIST OF THE WEEK on my facebook page “Dayton at Work and Play.”  Shortly after, she left her position at the Rosewood Gallery to become a full time artist.   Continue reading →

Mychaelyn Michalec – Painting in the Dark

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An artist friend said I had to meet Mychaelyn Michalec, a painter who was creating fabulous work in her basement in the dark.  My friend knew I would be intrigued and would want to arrange a photo shoot, which I did.

When I arrived, Mychaelyn offered me a cup of coffee and showed me some of the art she has collected, all by Dayton artists.      Continue reading →

Darren Haper, Painter

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I first saw the artwork of Darren Haper online, and decided he was a Dayton artist I wanted to meet.  Shortly after that I met the new Facility Coordinator at Rosewood Art Center, also named Darren, who was nice enough to help me carry my work into the Rosewood Gallery.  I didn’t realize that these two Darren’s were the same person until I attended a show at the Dayton Visual Arts Center showcasing five young artists to watch in 2015. Continue reading →

Julie Beyer – painter

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I first heard of Julie Beyer when she was the featured artist at the Ann Arbor Street Fair.  Every summer, four art fairs are held in Ann Arbor at the same time.  They attract more than 500,000 people.

The Ann Arbor Street Fair is the original of the four fairs and has often been named as the top art fair in the country.  When I heard that the featured artist at this fair lived a few blocks from my home, I had to visit.  Continue reading →

Terry Welker – kinetic art

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Terry Welker is both a successful architect and a successful sculptor specializing in kinetic art.  His work is shown in galleries from Mexico to New Mexico and in exhibitions around the Midwest.   About a year ago, Terry and his friend abstract artist Ron Rollins moved into a new studio in a formerly vacant storefront.

I have visited the studio three times in the last year, twice to watch Terry work and once to attend an art exhibition in Terry’s studio for two other artists. Continue reading →

Bridgette Bogle – Abstract Painter

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Bridgette Bogle was born in Roswell, New Mexico – site of the famous alien UFO landings.  Leaving Roswell, Bridgette studied art in Texas, Glasgow and Rome before coming to Ohio State.  She now lives in Dayton and is a full time teacher in the Painting and Drawing area at Sinclair College.

For the last eight years, Bridgette has shared this beautiful house with her husband and fellow artist Francis Schanberger.  Continue reading →

Leesa Haapapuro, Sculptor

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I recently revisited the studio of Leesa Haapapuro.  It is in the building that houses  K12 Gallery for Young People and  TEJAS (Teen Educational & Joint Adult Studio).  It must be the busiest and most colorful art space in Dayton.  I asked Leesa about the buffalo outside the building, and was disappointed to learn that she didn’t know why it is there.  “It just appeared one day.  I don’t know why.” Continue reading →

Patrick Mauk, Maker

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I recently visited the studio of Patrick Mauk, who I met through his job at the Dayton Visual Arts Center.  I asked Patrick how long he had worked at DVAC.

“I started working there part time in 2004.  As the organization grew, I became a full time employee and my responsibilities expanded.  Now I am the Gallery Manager.  I also oversee the exhibition design, preparatory duties and assist with all things related to the gallery.”  Continue reading →