Community Calendar

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 Journalism Lab is excited to announce a two-day community journalism summit in Dayton on Thursday, January 22, and Friday, January 23, 2026.

Join us for two days of workshops and panel discussions at the Dayton Metro Library Main Branch, where we’ll share key reporting tools with the community and discuss — with your input — the state of journalism in the Midwest with journalism experts.

Highlights include 90-minute workshops on key reporting skills such as media literacy, photojournalism, audio journalism and news writing.

Attendance is free!

Register for the workshops and panel discussions below (spaces are limited for the Thursday workshops).

At Dayton Vintage Dance, we socially dance many types of historical and modern dances. Our emphasis is typically on having fun with partnered social dances, but we also do set dances, circle dances, line dances, and solo dances as well.

Our normal mode of operation is as a one-room schoolhouse. This allows novice dancers to be paired with experienced dancers which helps novice dancers learn dances much more quickly than if they were to be paired with other novices and encourages experienced dancers to focus on clear communication and flexibility in dance.  Occasionally the classes are broken into groups if specialized topics are being taught that aren't suitable for all.

All levels and styles of dancers are welcome.

Our lessons are regularly attended by dancers ranging in skill from novice to workshop instructor.

Schedule: 

Every Friday except for select holidays

Sign-in: 7:45PM - 8:00PM

Lesson: 8:00PM - 9:00PM

Open Dance: 9:00PM-10:00PM

Students are welcome to enter through the front door or the back door. The lessons and dance will be in the main ballroom. Go straight down the hallway through either door and you can't miss it.

Freakquency
Purple Ambrosia
Good Soup
Slouch
January 23rd
$10 Cover at 8pm
Music at 8:30pm

Join us for the start of our Mindful Mediums Art Series! You'll get to express yourself through fun, creative crafting and journaling activities every session—registration required.

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

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

It’s my favorite day of the month! Bring yourself, bring your project, bring a friend, or make some new ones. Come hang out for an afternoon of introverting public hosted by me, Savage Stitcher (Angie) and The Barrel House. Cheers!!!