MIKE ELSASS STUDIO TOUR & friends of the Front Street Art Galleries

Показать описание

This week's video highlights a true Dayton gem: Mike Elsass' art studio, as well as several other incredible artists located at the Front Street Art Galleries. This adventure began before Christmas when Brian and I attended the "Hollydays" event hosted at the newly restored Dayton arcade. It was bustling with vendors and attendees alike: wine was flowing, choirs were singing, and snow was in the air, literally! Mike Elsass was one of the vendors selling his art pieces and Brian and I fell in love with a few of them. Wanting to change up our Dayton townhouse to a more contemporary look for 2022, his gorgeous abstract painted steel pieces were exactly what we were looking for (subconsciously, lol).
We instantly hit it off with Mike, it would be hard for anyone not to, and before we knew it we were invited to take a tour of his studio and to share it with all of you.

Front Street Galleries:
Front Street is proud to be the largest community of artists, artisans, and small business owners in Dayton, Ohio since 1965. Our complex has seen decades of creative energy including musicians, skateboarders, visual artists and more!
Today, visitors can come to Front Street seven days a week and experience the behind the scenes work of nearly 150 talented artists and artisans.
OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 4:30PM and by appointment.
PUBLIC HOURS: Our complex is open to the public 7 days a week.
ARTIST'S HOURS: Artists, artisans, and small businesses host individual business hours.
Every First Friday: 5PM - 9PM and Third Sunday: 11AM - 4PM.

Mike Elsass:
"I paint contemporary abstract on rusted sheets of steel, and my art is spiritual and meditative. By painting, sponging and sanding, the steel evolves until the final coating. Many pieces have over 40 coats of paint and glazing. The steel represents strength, life’s elements, aging, imperfection and beauty.
My spirit lies on the road. From my first series in Quebec, Canada to the Gulf Coast winter and the Louisiana swamps, I draw my energy from nature and life. The Arizona desert and the Kentucky countryside blend my art. My beautiful Ohio country barn loft and studios on Easy Avenue and my new Front Street location in Dayton give me time to reflect and paint in solitude. I hope to find my Rothko-inspired pieces gracing walls and mantles in your home, because for me, the greatest achievement is knowing that my creative labor has connected with someone in a very personal way."

Dana L. Wiley GALLERY
This gallery was founded to support art and artists and to help our community gain a greater understanding of our world through artistic integrity and critical thinking. Our purpose is to serve the community through events and exhibitions that can be inviting to all persons at any level of art appreciation. It is the responsibility of the gallery to create an atmosphere that is considered and respectful to the art, artists and viewer so that the inherent value of the artwork is revealed. The gallery has an obligation to answer why art matters and by extension, identify the value we, as a society, place on art.

Darren Haper
Suggestive cartoonish images are evident and relate back to my earliest memories of drawing recognizable shapes. Multilayered images arise in which the fragility of our daily lives is questioned. Recurring subject matter can be recognized, such as the relationship with pop culture, working with repetition, and often saturated with obviousness, clichés and humor.
Meaning is shifted and possible interpretation becomes multifaceted thus creating a world where order is undermined and lightheartedness rules. By applying abstraction, I create intense moments luring the viewer round and round in circles with no beginning and no ending.

Gary William Hinsche

Darty Art
Darty Art is a working studio/gallery space for Lori Daugherty, her husband Jon, and her daughter Kelsey. Darty Art's focus includes photography, pastels, pottery and painting.

Caroline Pennington
Model and Contortionist at Career Images Modeling and Talent Agency, Body Painting model.

We’re Laura and Brian, better known as “A couple of Quinns.” We love our city of Dayton, old houses and dogs. During the pandemic we restored a 1905 federal-style home in Dayton Ohio’s historic Grafton Hill neighborhood, and there's no telling what we'll be up to next!
New video every Friday at noon; subscribe to see more!