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Autos to meet art at Concours d’Elegance

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By Pamela Dillon, Contributing Writer 2:36 PM Saturday, September 11, 2010

Can your ride pass the white glove test? If the answer is no, don’t despair.

You can admire 200 of the finest automobiles and motorcycles in the country at the fourth annual Dayton Concours d’Elegance at Carillon Historical Park next weekend.

These classic wheels will be in mint condition and displayed in one of Dayton’s most beautiful settings. The event will feature the automobiles of Walter P. Chrysler and Alfa-Romeo.

For many years, national and regional Concours events have been associated with automotive fine art. This will be the third year that Concours organizers have invited automotive fine artists to participate in the Dayton event.

“I think automotive fine art is a bit lost on many people, since it’s somewhat specialized, but it also brings another aspect of fine art to people who are unaware of it,” said Dayton Concours chairman Skip Peterson. “The older cars that are shown at a Concours are somewhat pieces of art themselves, with graceful lines and styling, so both the artwork and the cars complement each other.”

Nationally recognized automotive fine artist Lory Lockwood was commissioned to create the cover art for this year’s souvenir event program, poster and auction. She’s the “chrome queen” and usually paints the image of one car reflected in the chrome of another. Her art will be the featured among eight other artists’ works that were juried into the event. For Lockwood, the cover piece was a collage of sorts that required quite a bit of research.

“It was a challenge to put the Carillon Park setting with a ’32 Chrysler Imperial and the 1938 Alfa. It took me about 40 to 50 hours to research using three totally different sources,” Lockwood said. “Only four of these Italian racers were ever built and all had completely changed from the original Alfa, so I had to create a composite image.”

David Greenlee of Urbana is another artist who will be exhibiting in the Art Pavilion. His favorite car is a black ’32 Ford Phaeton V8. He is showing automotive and aircraft art with an emphasis on “average Americans doing the most extraordinary things.”

Other artists include Daniel Brown of Troy; Steve Wohler of Huber Heights; Michael Goetner of Sylvania; Sarah Brobst of Knoxville, Tenn., Gerald Freeman of South Lyon, Mich.; Chris Osborne of New Milford, Conn.; and Gary Tatman of Glen Burnie, Md.

View the exhibit and meet the artists at a casual preview party, which will include a silent auction and a preview of some Concours vehicles. Judges from the Dayton Art Institute will award a Best of Show. Both the Preview Party and the Concours d’Elegance will feature food, open bar, live music and historical demonstrations. Best in Class awards will be announced at 3 p.m. at the Sunday event. All proceeds will benefit Dayton History.

Contact contributing arts writer Pamela Dillon at pamdillon@woh.rr.com.

How to go

What: 2010 Dayton Concours d’Elegance

Where: Carillon Historical Park, 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton

Details/cost: Preview Party/Best of Show Award, 6:30 -11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, $75 person; Concours event/Best in Class Awards 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, $10 adults, $5 children (3-17)

More information: Reservations/preview, (937) 293-2841 or www.dayton concours.com

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