The Contemporary Dayton (The Co) presents The 29th Annual Open Members’ Show. The Co is thrilled to re-open its galleries for the first time since COVID-19 safe-distancing measures were put into place in March with one of its most popular exhibitions of the year—a literal celebration of over 100 local and Ohio artists.

The Annual Open Members’ Show is our annual all-media, all-level Artist Member celebration. All Artist Members were invited to submit one work of art that spoke to the theme: Reflections of COVID-19. Since many in our community faced financial hardship this summer, The Co opened up the show to all artists regardless of Membership and were surprised and excited to accept over 100 works of art. Artworks will also be for sale to benefit both the artists and The Co.

The exhibition opened today with a Friends & Family Open House. Art will be on display through August 15th during normal gallery hours.

The Co requests that masks be worn and social distancing practiced for the duration of the event.

The exhibition is organized and installed by The Co’s guest curator, Michael Goodson, Senior Curator of Exhibitions at Wexner Center for the Arts. Over the past 15 years, as Director of Exhibitions at CCAD’s Beeler Gallery and James Cohan Gallery, NY, and now as Senior Curator of Exhibitions at the Wexner Center for the Arts.

The exhibition will include a number of cash and recognition awards. This year’s prize juror is Willis “Bing” Davis, renowned artist, cultural leader and founder of Dayton’s EbonNia Gallery and the SHANGO Center for The Study of African American Act & Culture. Davis will be selecting artworks to receive The Lombard Prize for Best in Show, The Mike Goheen Memorial Award for Emerging Photographers, and The Mayor’s Office Exhibition Award.