The Contemporary Dayton - Dayton
The Contemporary Dayton
25 W 4th Street
Dayton, OH, 45402
The Contemporary Dayton is a non-profit gallery and artist resource that provides art for the community and a community for artists. (Formerly Dayton Visual Arts Center / DVAC).
From gallery talks and exhibit openings to professional development workshops, The Contemporary Dayton provides opportunities to meet others who share an interest in art and to learn about and support contemporary visual art.
Upcoming Events: The Contemporary Dayton
Member's Spotlight Exhibition: Deanna Newsom: Garden Parallax
9/18/2026
The Member’s Spotlight Exhibitions at The Contemporary Dayton celebrate the vibrant creativity of our local and regional artist community.
Ella Kraimer: Appearances
9/25/2026
Photographic staged self-portraits exploring fictional identities shaped through irony, humor, and cultural critique.
Stacy Kranitz: Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down
9/25/2026
A complex portrait of Appalachia shaped by myth, exploitation, and resilience in over 75 photographs.
Artist Feedback Forum
9/26/2026
To build community and foster the sharing of ideas, The Contemporary Dayton offers an Artist's Feedback Forum for Artist Members. Bring a finished work or a work of art in progress to receive constructive feedback.
Storytelling & Collage Night
10/01/2026
Presented in conjunction with Ella Kraimer's current exhibition, Appearances. No experience necessary to participate. FREE and open to all.
Business of Art
10/03/2026
A Member Exclusive Event! Come to The Contemporary Dayton to learn the business side of fine art. Open to all current Members of The Contemporary Dayton. To become a Member, visit https://codayton.org/support/memberships/
Member's Spotlight Exhibition: Elham Bayati
10/07/2026
October's Member's Spotlight Exhibition features artist Elham Bayati and their recent work.
Guided Tours
10/08/2026
Join us for a closer look at the exhibition, with fresh insights into the artists currently on view and their work. FREE and open to all.
Dayton Studio Tour
10/10/2026
The Contemporary Dayton is proud to present the 2026 Dayton Studio Tour, offering the community a unique opportunity to visit working studios, meet local artists, and experience the creative process firsthand.
Collage Night
10/15/2026
Come get creative in a relaxed gallery setting. No experience necessary. Free for Members of The Contemporary Dayton, $10 at the door for non-Members.
Artist Talk: Stacy Kranitz in conversation with author and professor Andrew Milward
10/17/2026
Join us for an in-person conversation with the artist Stacy Kranitz in conversation with author and professor Andrew Milward.
Artist Talk: Ella Kraimer
11/12/2026
Join us for an in-person conversation with the artist Ella Kraimer. Led by Interim Director and Chief Curator, Heather Jones.
Community Photography Critique Night
1/14/2027
To build community and foster the sharing of ideas, The Contemporary Dayton offers a Community Photography Critique Night for photographers of all levels.
Related news & company posts for The Contemporary Dayton
Call for Entry: Dayton Studio Tour
6/05/2026: Dayton, OH - The Contemporary Dayton invites artists and creatives working in all media to apply for the Dayton Studio Tour. This event offers the community a unique opportunity to visit working studios and meet artists.
Call for Entry: Member's Spotlight Exhibitions
6/05/2026: Dayton, OH - The Contemporary Dayton invites current members to apply for the 2026-2027 season of our Member’s Spotlight Exhibitions, an ongoing solo exhibition series celebrating the creativity and talent of our local & regional artists.
Call for Entry: In Small Measure
11/06/2025: Dayton, OH - 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.
