This guy is painting Dayton’s oldest buildings

He recently painted the exterior of the Southern Belle and, before that, the outside of South Park Tavern plus the interior of one of the oldest private homes in downtown Dayton.

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“There is something about breathing life into the old bone of these buildings that makes me proud,” said Ferguson, a commercial painter for four years. “There is something about these old buildings that makes me happy.”

He partnered with The Mural Machine to paint along the railroad bridge spanning Fifth Street behind Smokin’ Bar-B-Que for the mural now being painted.

The motorcycle and music festival enthusiast said his mom, Zada Ferguson, met his stepfather, Steve Ferguson, while both were stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

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The family lived in several places, but mostly raised their children in the Dayton area.

Brian Ferguson moved to Minneapolis after graduating Wayne High School, but has been back in Dayton for more than 25 years.

“I’ve got roots here because of my love of the city,” he said.

Ferguson started his business a year and a half ago.

He said he prefers doing work in downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods.

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Ferguson also is certified to install solar panels.

He was once on track to be a civil engineer through Sinclair Community College, but says life and its hiccups got in the way.

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He said he is happy to be working on his own terms and as a skilled laborer.

“I’m proud to have aligned myself with like-minded tradesmen and women who take pride in our crafts,” Ferguson said.