Public Art Gallery

Dayton is admired for its rich history as ” The Gem City,” a place known not only for its industrial innovation but also for its unique beauty and diversity.

Dayton’s legacy as a center of innovation is unparalleled, from the Wright Brothers’ pioneering achievements in aviation to the ongoing contributions in science, technology, and the arts. This spirit of invention and forward-thinking is a critical part of what makes Dayton special, and I was inspired to create a sculpture that speaks to the city’s storied past and its bright, innovative future.

“Alliance” features three interlocking elliptical rings, each symbolizing a core value: diversity, unity, and progress. The first ring represents diversity, with its open and varied design echoing the richness of different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. The second ring speaks to unity, with its smooth, continuous form signifying the strength that comes from collaboration and harmony among different people. The third ring embodies progress, angled forward and reaching upward to reflect the city’s relentless drive toward innovation and a brighter future. The sculpture, measuring roughly fourteen feet tall, reflects these core values through its complex yet harmonious design, symbolizing the many facets that make Dayton truly exceptional.

I’m honored to contribute a work of art to the Dayton Convention Center that encapsulates these elements and becomes a meaningful part of Dayton’s public landscape. I believe that public art has the power to inspire and unite, and I am excited about the possibility of creating something that speaks to Dayton’s unique history, natural beauty, innovative spirit.

-Albert Dicruttalo

Glass, unlike any other artistic medium, is in a constant state of transition. Neither solid nor liquid, it is a gift from nature that has changed the course of humankind. From harnessing light into bulbs or creating information superhighways, from looking deep in the ocean to millions of miles into outer space, glass allows us to see and be seen. Used for art it creates a state of wonder in us, the beauty and sparkle, how it dances with the light, it feels very magical and engaging.

In my work I capture the motion of the glass as a liquid, the point where its softness is captured to create a story about flux and transition that references the journey of being human. I use glass to help us see ourselves, in nature, and with each other as special and unique but part of a collective experience that brings us together despite the differences.

Five Rivers is an artistic tribute to the waterways that have shaped the history, culture, and spirit of Dayton, Ohio. The installation, a preserved moss green wall, celebrates the enduring connection between nature and urban life, highlighting the sacred and often overlooked role of the rivers—The Great Miami, Mad River, Stillwater, Wolf Creek, and the Little Miami—that flow through the heart of the city.

Moss, with its ability to thrive in diverse environments, symbolizes the resilience and adaptability of nature, mirroring the rivers’ ability to persist through time, seasons, and change. The lush, green texture of the moss brings a sense of life and vibrancy to the urban space, offering a living reminder of the natural beauty that sustains us, even in the most industrialized environments.

Each section of the green wall is inspired by the distinct qualities of Dayton’s five rivers. The flowing movement of the moss evokes the rippling currents of these waterways, while their varying shades of green reflect the diversity of plant life found along the riverbanks. The preserved moss acts as a living testament to the organic landscapes of the region, offering a moment of pause amidst the steel and concrete of the city, inviting both reflection and reconnection with the natural world.

In creating this piece, we sought to honor the rivers not just as geographical features but as symbols of life, nourishment, and the passage of time. The moss wall, preserved for lasting beauty, speaks to the need for environmental sustainability and the preservation of natural ecosystems in the face of rapid urbanization. It’s a visual meditation on the interplay between growth and decay, the quiet persistence of nature, and our shared responsibility to care for the land that supports us.

This installation, while rooted in Dayton’s past, is also an invitation to envision a future where nature is woven seamlessly into the fabric of urban spaces, reminding us of the importance of waterways in sustaining both the physical and cultural landscape of our communities. Five Rivers stands as a living testament to the rivers that flow through Dayton and the natural resilience they represent.

 -SA Greenery

At the core of my art is the passion for the material of glass and how it expresses itself when merging with light. Glass draws me due to its dual nature—fragile yet strong, rigid yet fluid, opaque yet transparent. Over the years, this fascination led to the development of a unique fusing technique, which enabled the creation of deep colors and rich textures, thereby giving the material a new expressive life.

My main Inspiration is drawn from nature and my deep connection to the land, as I am an agriculturist who raises a mango orchard. The result is a glass featuring fascinating warm colors and mesmerizing textures. Glass reveals its most captivating beauty when illuminated, which is why I use sculptures of glass and light to bring nature’s warmth and intimacy into architectural spaces.

-Shimal’e Peleg  

Drawing upon the perspective of airplane windows, I am thinking of the aerial view of blue skies, shitting gray clouds, and vibrant green fields. The design features tall and short glass panels that create a visual experience that connects the natural world with the spirit of exploration.

-Malina Cipleu

Ethereal Forest is designed to seamlessly blend modern art with the beauty of nature, creating an illusion of lightness and fluidity. This work of art explores the delicate balance between form and space, using glass elements to evoke a sense of movement and light. The sculpture is inspired by water droplets on bamboo stalks. The fluidity of the glass pieces will evoke the movement of nature, frozen in time. The interplay between light and the translucent nature of glass will create a calming, serene atmosphere.

-Dustin Wagner

“Bow to the Tarpon” captures the raw power and grace of one of the most iconic fish species in the World. The tarpon’s large, flat scales, and sleek body, with its mix of blue-gray and green tones, contrasts sharply against the bright silver of its underbelly. In this piece, the abstract art form of the tarpon reflects its movement—powerful yet graceful.

This painting is part of The Art in Fishing, a collection of works that explore the inherent beauty of each fish species through dynamic abstract compositions using weathered steel and acrylic paints.| capture the unique patterns and colors of each fish in a way that honors the natural world while celebrating the thrill of the catch. The resin finish preserves the moment, as if the fish were just lifted from the water.

The piece was inspired by a memorable morning spent off Boca Grande, Florida, where I battled a tarpon with my fishing buddies. The ight was intense, but the experience of connecting with such a powerful creature—the sight of breaking the surface in a dramatic leap-stayed with me, and l knew l had to trans. late that energy onto the canvas.

This installation was created during the renovation of the Dayton Convention Center from 2023 to ’25. This project that, like any great catch, takes patience, grit, and vision. The renovation of the Convention Center will start a new chapter, no longer just surviving, but thriving.

Ive spent over 30 years in urban redevelopment, and learned that art is often the first element to breathe new energy into forgotten places. Along the way, I had the good fortune to reconnect with internationally recognized Dayton artist Mike Elsass. His mentorship taught me that making art is a lot like fishing: part skill, part instinct, and a whole lot of trust in the unknown. He helped me understand how color and texture cast deep into memory and meaning.

The Art in Fishing— has been a way to bring together the wild places I love with the creative spirit l’ve always carried. Fishing has taken me to quiet waters and crashing surf, to sunrise solitude and shared laughter. It’s given me a connection to the natural world that runs deep, and it’s brought me closer to friends, family, and myself.

-Dave Williams