Community Calendar

Join Fran and Tom Davidson for an engaging 7-hour beekeeping course that dives deep into the fascinating world of honeybees on Jan. 16, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. and Jan. 17, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the OSU Extension Clark County office. Whether you're a beginner or looking to expand your knowledge, this course will teach you how to successfully start and manage your beehive from installation to thriving colonies. This course does require a fee of $50 per person with textbook or $35 without textbook. You may register here at go.osu.edu/beekeeping26. Make sure to bring or locally buy your own lunch for the Saturday session. Don’t miss this opportunity to start your own beekeeping adventure!

The In’s and Outs of Using a Serger

Don’t have a serger? That’s totally ok; I have them, so you can take the class! Then you will be able to rent the serger during open sew. You must take this class to rent the studio serger or use it during private lessons or group classes.
Serger Basics, the machine looks scary, but I will show you how easy it is!

Using a serger isn’t as bad as it looks! Learn how to thread, keep up and clean, change feet, and adjust your stitches for perfectly balanced serging!

Many people are terrified of this machine because it looks so different; it’s intimidating, with four thread cones, two needs, and a cutting blade. OH MY!

But I promise you that serging is simple, fast, and fun; this class will have you up and running quickly and confidently!

Prerequisites: None
What you will learn in this class:
Threading
Anatomy of the Machine
Stitch length
Differential Feed Adjustments
Starting and Finishing a serged stitch
Maintenance and Cleaning the machines — please ensure that if you bring your serger, it works. If you need to have it serviced, here is an excellent list of local businesses that can help!

Ages: 15 +
Max Students: 4
Bring:
Sewing Kit
Serger (Anything more than fifteen years old, please book a private lesson)
– if you need to use one of mine, please make a note in the additional notes section.
Thread (4 spools)
Accessory Pouch – items that came with the serger
Manual

The Contemporary Dayton is proud to present Xaviera Simmons: Figure Eleven, a major solo exhibition bringing together recent works in photography, painting, video, and the world premiere of a new body of bronze sculptures by one of the most bold and visionary artists of our time.

Simmons’ practice is deeply rooted in art history, both through deliberate assertion and continuous engagement, drawing on references that span from antiquity and the American landscape to contemporary media. Her work unfolds through a cinematic sensibility, where narrative, movement, and stillness intersect. This is evident in her photographic series such as American Book Covers and Sundown, in her monumental text paintings, and now in this new body of bronze sculptures.

Performance, choreography, and the sensual are integral to Simmons’ artistic language. In this recent sculptural work, these elements coalesce into forms that feel both classical and contemporary. As with much of her practice, Figure Eleven situates art history within an ongoing continuum, like a film that resists final resolution.

The sculptures recall the Venus of Willendorf and Venus de Milo while simultaneously reflecting the multiplicity of contemporary bodies and motifs. Their power lies in their capacity to collapse and reconcile distinct historical and cultural narratives. The figures embody a poised stillness that resonates with the language of movement and performance. Figure Eleven, both the exhibition’s title and the newest figurative sculpture, appears as if drawn from a film still, a moment suspended between gesture and permanence.

In Small Measure is our inaugural fundraising exhibition where we ask participants to create a postcard sized work of art, donate it to us, and in exchange, it will be included in an exhibition on February 13-14, 2026 at The Contemporary Dayton, Dayton, Ohio’s contemporary art center.

Submission Deadline (Postmark): Feb 1, 2026

In-Person Drop-Off Deadline: Feb 4, 2026

Exhibition Dates: Feb 13-14, 2026

Another night of mind-blowing rock and roll courtesy of Lineleaders, Status Foe (Indy), and Thunderlover at Blind Bob's! Tell the mothership you can't beam back up until sometime after Saturday, January 17th!
Doors at 8pm with music kicking off at 9.
21 & over - $10 cover
Lineleaders (Dayton, OH) = "dk post hardcore ig"
Status Foe (Indianapolis, IN) = "Eclectic alt-rock"
Thunderlover (Dayton, OH) = "high-energy rock and roll"

J [REDACTED] and friends bring us five hours Dayton's finest funky disco records for our listening and dancing pleasure. Disco attire encouraged.
21+
FREE

Join us for another installment of WinterFolk. We will be returning to Oregon Express for an evening of music and stories. The night will kick off with a very special Songwriter’s Round… featuring Amber Heart, Seth Gilliam and Nicholas Clay. Also, full band performances from Jenny&the Street Walkers, Midwestern Mrs.@ Jeff Butcher and your hosts, Harold Hensley& Still Life Drive.
$12 cover at the door… with doors opening at 8 and music starting at 9. Come hungry and ready to listen.

The Contemporary Dayton is proud to present Xaviera Simmons: Figure Eleven, a major solo exhibition bringing together recent works in photography, painting, video, and the world premiere of a new body of bronze sculptures by one of the most bold and visionary artists of our time.

Simmons’ practice is deeply rooted in art history, both through deliberate assertion and continuous engagement, drawing on references that span from antiquity and the American landscape to contemporary media. Her work unfolds through a cinematic sensibility, where narrative, movement, and stillness intersect. This is evident in her photographic series such as American Book Covers and Sundown, in her monumental text paintings, and now in this new body of bronze sculptures.

Performance, choreography, and the sensual are integral to Simmons’ artistic language. In this recent sculptural work, these elements coalesce into forms that feel both classical and contemporary. As with much of her practice, Figure Eleven situates art history within an ongoing continuum, like a film that resists final resolution.

The sculptures recall the Venus of Willendorf and Venus de Milo while simultaneously reflecting the multiplicity of contemporary bodies and motifs. Their power lies in their capacity to collapse and reconcile distinct historical and cultural narratives. The figures embody a poised stillness that resonates with the language of movement and performance. Figure Eleven, both the exhibition’s title and the newest figurative sculpture, appears as if drawn from a film still, a moment suspended between gesture and permanence.

In Small Measure is our inaugural fundraising exhibition where we ask participants to create a postcard sized work of art, donate it to us, and in exchange, it will be included in an exhibition on February 13-14, 2026 at The Contemporary Dayton, Dayton, Ohio’s contemporary art center.

Submission Deadline (Postmark): Feb 1, 2026

In-Person Drop-Off Deadline: Feb 4, 2026

Exhibition Dates: Feb 13-14, 2026

The Contemporary Dayton is proud to present Xaviera Simmons: Figure Eleven, a major solo exhibition bringing together recent works in photography, painting, video, and the world premiere of a new body of bronze sculptures by one of the most bold and visionary artists of our time.

Simmons’ practice is deeply rooted in art history, both through deliberate assertion and continuous engagement, drawing on references that span from antiquity and the American landscape to contemporary media. Her work unfolds through a cinematic sensibility, where narrative, movement, and stillness intersect. This is evident in her photographic series such as American Book Covers and Sundown, in her monumental text paintings, and now in this new body of bronze sculptures.

Performance, choreography, and the sensual are integral to Simmons’ artistic language. In this recent sculptural work, these elements coalesce into forms that feel both classical and contemporary. As with much of her practice, Figure Eleven situates art history within an ongoing continuum, like a film that resists final resolution.

The sculptures recall the Venus of Willendorf and Venus de Milo while simultaneously reflecting the multiplicity of contemporary bodies and motifs. Their power lies in their capacity to collapse and reconcile distinct historical and cultural narratives. The figures embody a poised stillness that resonates with the language of movement and performance. Figure Eleven, both the exhibition’s title and the newest figurative sculpture, appears as if drawn from a film still, a moment suspended between gesture and permanence.