Dayton Art Schools

To understand the term “All American”, one need look no further than the “gem city” of the Midwest: Dayton. The origin of its nickname is no longer certain other than the assumption that the city was, and remains, a real gem. Other, more obvious namesakes, include the “birthplace of aviation”, as Wilbur and Orville Wright developed the first invention of powered flight within the confines of their bicycle shop on West Third Street. Their inventive, pioneering spirit lives on in the hearts of the citizens of Dayton as the city maintains more patents per capita than any other city in the United States. As an artist, one cannot help but be infected with this passion to learn, live, and discover. To further fuel that drive, the Dayton Cultural Center and the Riverbend Art Center offer workshops and classes in practically every art medium, while the Dayton Cultural Center, founded and run by artists for artists, celebrates the diverse works of regional artisans. Additionally, every Memorial Day weekend finds Daytonites enjoying Ohio’s oldest outdoor festival, Art in the Park, where artists from around the country come to showcase their work. The Dayton art scene is alive and well, fueled by the imaginative legacies of its former citizens. As one of the more famous of these, Paul Laurence Dunbar, expounded in his poem “Toast to Dayton”, “For she shines- the brightest gem / that has ever decked with beauty / Dear Ohio’s diadem.”For any aspiring artist, the potential to soar artistically is as exhilarating as the limitless possibilities you find once you take flight.