For More Information: Jillynne Fields: 937‐367‐4850 Mike Elsass: 937‐266‐3491 Kristen Wicker: 937‐224‐1518, ext. 228 Color of Energy Gallery to Host Three Exhibits by Nationally Known Artists Oregon Arts District gallery to provide additional boost to already‐vibrant local arts scene. Dayton, Aug. 26, 2008 – Further proof that Forbes.com got it all wrong when it labeled Dayton a “dying” city can be found in the Oregon Arts District. At the Color of Energy gallery, 16 Brown St., owner Mike Elsass and art manager Jillynne Fields are preparing for three months’ worth of exhibits featuring work by visual artists known on a national level. “The visual arts in Dayton have never been better,” said Elsass, himself a nationally recognized painter. “To help take those local artists to the next level, we’re able to bring in national artists who want to interact with our local arts community because it’s thriving.” All the exhibits will get underway with preview parties held the Thursday before the monthly First Friday art hop held throughout downtown Dayton. The roster of upcoming exhibits is: ● September, paintings by celebrated Louisiana landscape artist Melissa Bonin ● October, a multimedia exhibit featuring work by artists from Austin, Texas, and Dayton ● November, paintings by Dolores Justus and Steve Griffith, whose work has appeared in numerous national exhibits First up will be an exhibit of work by Melissa Bonin, who’s been widely recognized as a leading contemporary landscape painter. A Louisiana native, she draws inspiration while walking and canoeing through the bayous right outside her door. Back in the studio, she paints quickly using an “alla prima” technique, capturing the feelings evoked by the landscape directly on the canvas without sketches or other preliminary work. Bonin often restarts paintings dozens of times until she gets them just right. “There is a certain time of day, just before dark, when the human eye has difficulty seeing and imagination steps in to fill the gaps,” Bonin said. “At this time, color is at its richest and trees look like dark spirits waiting and walking in the distant cane fields.” Bonin’s work has been exhibited in large cities, such as Atlanta and Chicago, and in galleries throughout Louisiana, as well as in Connecticut, Vermont and elsewhere. She also was included in the 2006 exhibit “From the Art of New York” alongside the likes of artists Christo and Yoko Ono. ― more ― Color of Energy exhibits, pg. 2 “She’s very particular and doesn’t show her work just anywhere,” Elsass said. “And she only does about two shows a year.” For more on Bonin, see www.melissabonin.com. The preview party for the exhibition of Bonin’s work will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, at the Color of Energy gallery, 16 Brown St. At 7:30 p.m. following the Thursday preview, Pacchia, 410 E. Fifth St., will host a “Louisiana Dinner with Artist Melissa Bonin.” Inspired by Bonin’s Louisiana recipes, the five‐course meal has been specially created by Pacchia’s head chef, Joe Fish. The dinner costs $65 per person or $120 per couple, and reservations are required. Call 341‐5050. In addition, a “meet the artist” event will be held during First Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. on Sept. 5. Bonin’s work will be on display throughout September at the Color of Energy. The next exhibition with a national flavor will be titled “You Are Here,” curated by Eva Buttacavoli, director of exhibitions and education at the Austin Museum of Art. This exhibit, which opens Oct. 3, will include photography, film, installation, prints, sculpture and paintings by contemporary artists from Austin and Dayton whose work captures the essence of their respective communities. Dayton artists already lined up to participate are painters Adam Mitchell and Darren Haper. “These artists try to grasp the sense of a place ― their ‘here,’ a continually expanding nexus of their personal culture, history and iconography,” Buttacavoli said. “Landmarks such as our own backyard, the corner grocery and the place we work are the real backdrops of our lives, even our biggest hopes and dreams, as well as our greatest fears.” This exhibit will accompany a show titled “This is Dayton” at Pacchia. Hosted by DaytonCREATE, a regional economic development initiative aimed at bolstering the creative class, “This is Dayton” will be on display throughout the fall. “Eva is going to create a book featuring the work of all the artists in the exhibit,” Elsass said. “She really wants to help Dayton artists take their careers to the next level.” Rounding out this marathon of exhibits by nationally known artists will be a show featuring the work of painters Dolores Justus and Steve Griffith of Hot Springs, Ark., opening Nov. 6. Justus’ work has been featured in many solo and group exhibitions throughout the nation, and Griffith’s work can be found in galleries across Arkansas, as well as in Dallas and Santa Fe, NM. For more on Justus, see www.justusfineart.com; for more on Griffith, see http://stevegriffithartist.com. “This gives local artists the chance to meet and network with people who know other markets,” Elsass said. “This will be an opportunity for Dayton to put its best foot forward.” For more on the Color of Energy gallery, visit www.colorofenergygallery.com. The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s Web site, www.downtowndayton.org, has a complete list of all the things that make Dayton a vibrant city, including downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, a dining guide, parking map, and much more. For more information about the Oregon Arts District, call 937‐224‐1518. ###