Aug 16, 20182 min read

AAVAG ARTISTS The African American Visual Artist Guild

Updated: Dec 9, 2018

Two years ago, The African American Visual Artists Guild (AAVAG) - Exposition Through Art - Wright Dunbar Village/Wolf Creek Project was born. 12 artists created 25 works of art paying homage to the architecture, people, and events associated with this vibrant section of Dayton's West side. Our very humble initial goal was to conduct a 2-week exhibit, sell the 250 calendars depicting each piece of art with proceeds going to fund the next project and provide awards to young developing artists. That little acorn grew into an oak tree and surpassed the project committee's wildest dreams. We have now been showing this exhibit for 2 years: an extended stay at RTA through the end of 2016, a 2-month showing at Dunbar House, 2-months at the Charles White Gallery at Central State University in Wilberforce, another 2-month stint at First Baptist Church in downtown Dayton followed by 2 months at Mount Enon Missionary Baptist Church. From there we took the exhibit to our new gallery home at Central State University Dayton and then on to the Northwest Public Library.

Program Committee: Craig Screven, Yvette Walker Dalton, Andrea Walker Cummings, Bennie Kelley, Debra Richardson-Wood

Through the 2 years we have also managed to award $500 in gift cards for art supplies to 5 young developing artists.

AAVAG is now embarking on the exhibit's last showing at Grace United Methodist Church. The exhibit is now available for viewing until September 27th, Mon thru Thurs 5:30P to 6:30P, Sundays 9:30 to noon, and by special appointment if you call the church. A reception, free to the public will be held there on Thursday, Aug 16th starting at 5:30P including a vocal recital by Dr. Minnita Daniel Cox at 7PM, refreshments by Dayton Cooks. The last 15 available calendars will be there for sale. AAVAG has not stopped with this project/exhibit, the following is in the works: The African American Visual Artists Guild (AAVAG) announces its next 2-year project/exhibit: Exposition Through Art - Historic African American Churches of Southwest Ohio. Fifteen artists' renderings pay homage to churches in existence for 75 years or more actively serving their members and the community at large with Christian leadership, outreach activities, and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. Churches selected are in Dayton, Springfield, Yellow Springs, Xenia, Wilberforce, Middletown, and Cincinnati. The first exhibit will be housed in AAVAG's gallery located on the 2nd floor of Central State University Dayton, 840 Germantown Street and will run from October 6th thru the end of December 2018. An opening program and reception, free to the public, will be held on Saturday, October 6th, 2 to 4PM, refreshments will be served. A 24-month calendar depicting each of the works will be available for sale, proceeds of which support project expenses and the awarding of art supplies to area youth. After October 6th regular viewing hours are Mon thru Thurs 9A to 8P, Fridays 9 to 5. Additional exhibit sites will be announced later.