Brown Street business to host virtual art experience this Friday

Dayton-based collective of women-owned creative businesses, tend&flourish, is set to host a virtual art opening, entitled "Meet Me Home," on Friday, May 1, from 7-10 p.m.

Dayton-based collective of women-owned creative businesses, tend&flourish, is set to host a virtual art opening, entitled "Meet Me Home," on Friday, May 1, from 7-10 p.m.

Despite limitations presented by the coronavirus pandemic, one Dayton business is still doing its best to showcase local talent.

Tend&flourish, an entrepreneurial collective of  local women-owned art and wellness businesses, will be hosting a live art opening on its Facebook page on Friday, May 1 from 7-10 p.m. This event will be a part of the "Virtual First Friday" event taking place throughout downtown Dayton.

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The unique art experience, entitled "Meet Me Home: An Art and Poetry Exhibit," will showcase the talents of artist Marsha Pippenger and poet Aimee Noel of Dayton. Pippenger is a visual artist, specializing in collage. Noel is a poet and teacher at Tippecanoe High School in Tipp City.

"In our conversations about collaborating on a joint art/poetry exhibition, Aimee and I realized that we were both concerned about the treatment of refugees and immigrants to this country,” said Pippenger on the collective’s Facebook page. “People turned back at the border, people traumatized by dangerous travel, people separated from their family members and people being treated poorly because they were from somewhere else. In addition, we knew people who had come to Dayton from other countries because their own homes were not safe, who took risks that we could only imagine, who landed here and made a life, a good one, and who are now integral members of our community. So we decided to talk to some people about this topic called Immigration. I started creating art, and Aimee looked at my art and started writing poetry. This is the result."

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The show will be split into two parts, with the first being dedicated to the art and poetry exhibit and the latter portion, beginning at 9 p.m., that will feature a musical performance by Novena, a folk rock band from Dayton, and a fire dancing performance by Jess Fecke.

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Information on how to purchase artwork and to support these artists during this trying time will be discussed during the event. The performing artists will maintain proper social distancing guidelines throughout the live event. Performance acts will be filmed live at Patterson Homestead on Brown Street in Dayton.

Looking for other ways to support local artisans and creatives? With the storefront closed, Tend&flourish has created an innovative way to allow the community to support the members of its collective.

>> Support local artisans: Give a unique gift or treat yourself with ‘Dayton-maker bundles’

Now, “Dayton-maker bundles” are available for purchase, containing products made by local businesswomen. Each bundle is assembled to fit a certain theme, like the “Healing Art” bundle ($70), that is a combination of a Frida Kahlo tote by Ixchel Studio, elderberry syrup from Liv Natually Co., Healing Foot Cream from The Color of Amber and a rose quartz bracelet made by Mandi Beam.

These bundles are available for purchase by visiting the collective's Facebook page.

WANT TO GO?

What: Meet Me Home: An Art and Poetry Exhibit

Where: Streaming live from tend&flourish's Facebook page

When: Friday, May 1, from 7-10 p.m.

More info: Facebook

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