From immersive installations to archaeological discoveries, new exhibitions are opening across the region as museums and galleries continue a strong summer season of art.
Here’s a roundup of notable shows and artist receptions to catch this week in Dayton, Yellow Springs, Springfield, Lebanon, Cincinnati and beyond.
All months except March, April May get abbreviated if a date number follows (ex: Sept. 26, May 3, Oct. 4)Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec.Time, date, place is the flow. So, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, closed Saturday and Monday)Also, write out the days, no “s” at the end of any of themVillage Artisans Gallery: ‘Think Green’
July 11-Sept. 9, Village Artisans Gallery in Yellow Springs
Artists were challenged to explore the color green’s associations with nature, growth, renewal, and environmentalism. Village Artisans is a cooperative art gallery in Yellow Springs featuring locally-made art and crafts. Reception and weaving demonstration 5 p.m.-9 p.m. on Friday, July 17 during the Yellow Springs Art Stroll. Open hours 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday-Saturday, Noon-5 p.m. Sunday at 100 Corry St., Yellow Springs. Free and open to the public.
Sydney Joslin-Knapp: ‘Hell is Real’
July 13-Aug. 14, Practice Gallery
Dayton-based artist Sydney Joslin-Knapp presents a solo show at artist-run space Practice Gallery in Dresden. “It is a multidisciplinary exploration of our country’s cultural roots, family, religion, and religious and social ideologies,” said the artist, who is inspired by Mexican vitrinas and Peruvian retablos. Joslin-Knapp’s installations include sculpture and painting. Reception 2-5 p.m. Sunday, July 19. Open hours 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Saturday at 811 Main Street, Dresden. Confirm appointment by text message at (415) 570-1982.
Yayoi Kusama: ‘All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins’
July 17–Oct. 18, Cincinnati Art Museum
This is the first time CAM is presenting one of Kusama’s acclaimed Infinity Mirror Rooms. Featuring Kusama’s yellow gourds adorned with her signature black polka dots and surrounded by mirrors, the result is an immersive installation that allows the visitor to become part of the artwork as they seemingly enter an infinite field. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, extended hours until 8 pm. on Thursdays at 953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati. $17 with discounted rates for students, children, and seniors. Free for members and nonmembers 5-8 p.m. Thursday and 5-9 p.m. Friday, July 31, Aug. 28, and Sept. 25 during Art After Dark. Tickets must also be reserved online in advance for free entry times at cincinnatiartmuseum.org
Cydnie King: ‘Puhpowee’
Through July 27, Dutoit Gallery at Front Street
King’s ink and watercolor paintings depict circuits flowing through plants, commenting on the genetic modification of nature. “We want our plants to grow bigger, taste better, look prettier, but how often do we stop and consider what all these technological changes are doing to the plants?,” asks the artist. Opening reception 5-9 p.m. Friday July 10 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday July 19 at 1001 E 2nd St, Building 100, Door BC, 3rd Floor, Dayton. Contact dutoitgallery@gmail.com for appointment. Free admission.
Northwest Library: ‘Visions of Realism’
Through July 31, Dayton Metro Library Northwest Branch
Local artist Gregory DeGroat’s series “Street Stories” is a visual journal of his walks through Dayton capturing “the quiet dignity of our neighbors.” Degroat also has work in view at the Springfield Museum of Art and in Dayton-area schools as party of Bing Davis’ “Skyscrapers” exhibitions. “Visions of Realism” showcases realistic watercolor and oil paintings by DeGroat and Morris Howard. An artist talk and community conversation moderated by Karen Brame, DML Information Services Librarian of Africana Archives, will take place 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday July 30 at 2410 Philadelphia Drive, Dayton. Free and open to the public. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday & Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Thursday, Closed Sunday.
Niki Johnson: ‘Pillars of Democracy’
Through Aug. 15 at The Contemporary Dayton
“Pillars of Democracy” is a monumental series of four collaged portraits that reimagine Liberty, Justice, Freedom, and Forward progress as first-time voters from Milwaukee. The exhibition explores civic participation, collective action, and the enduring power of the vote while highlighting the role of art in fostering dialogue and community engagement. Public programs include a hands-on collage-making workshop with the artist on Aug. 1, during Art in the City, and a closing reception Aug. 15. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday at The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. 4th St. Dayton. Free and open to the public.
Harmon Museum: The Legendary Powell Cache
Through Aug. 15
On display for the first time since its discovery in the 1970s near Fort Ancient, the “Powell Cache” collection features ceremonial artifacts crafted from materials traded over vast distances — providing a look into the sophisticated trade networks of our region’s ancient inhabitants. Also on view through Aug. 15 is sculpture by John Koepnick and Huge Nahrang. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday at 105 South Broadway, Lebanon. Free closing reception on Aug. 15. Adults $10, 65+ $8, Children $6.
‘Printed Voice from Kenya: Social and Cultural Reflections’
Through Aug. 22, Kennedy Heights Art Center
Curated by Saad Ghost of SOS ART, this exhibition features 154 prints by 42 established contemporary printmakers from all over Kenya. These artists use their artwork as their voice to reflect on the cultural and social issues they face. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at 6546 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati.
Springfield Museum of Art: 80th Annual Juried Members’ Exhibition
Through Aug. 27
This exhibition celebrates the 80th anniversary of the SMoA and the creativity of its community. Juried by Cat Sheridan, director of the Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery, the exhibition features over 110 works from members of the museum. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 12:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday at 107 Cliff Park Road, Springfield.
Two new exhibits at the Dayton Art Institute
“Fighters for Freedom: William H. Johnson Picturing Justice”
Through Sept. 13
William H. Johnson painted the “Fighters for Freedom” series in the mid-1940s as a tribute to African American activists, scientists, teachers and performers as well as international leaders working to bring peace to the world. This landmark exhibition brings together 34 paintings featured in the series, drawn from the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Johnson suggested that the pursuit of freedom is an ongoing, interconnected struggle, with moments of both triumph and tragedy.
The second rotation of “Exploring Feminism”
Through Sept. 20
“Exploring Feminism” invites visitors to explore the many meanings, histories and expressions of feminism. This rotating exhibition highlights artists whose work reflects the movement’s evolving commitments to protest, self-expression and community-building. Guests can discover how feminism has continually adapted to include a wider range of voices and experiences.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Noon-5 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday; Closed Monday and Tuesday at 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton.