Comedian Katt Williams among prominent African Americans saluted in ‘Dayton Skyscrapers’ exhibit

The 2024 “Dayton Skyscrapers” exhibit, presented in collaboration with Dayton Public Schools, continues throughJune 14 with an opening reception planned Sunday, May 26 at EbonNia Gallery.

A metaphor for those who stand tall in their respective fields, “Dayton Skyscrapers” illuminates the work of local and regional African American visual artists. Organizers in a news release said the exhibition celebrates “some of the many high-achieving African Americans who have contributed or are contributing to the quality of life in the Dayton and Miami Valley region.”

This year’s notables include Emmy Award-winning comedian Katt Williams (”Atlanta”), NAACP Dayton Unit President and Image Award winner Derrick L. Foward, Judge Mia Wortham Spells, Paul Laurence Dunbar historian and scholar LaVerne Sci, and Bethel Baptist Church Pastor Xavier L. Johnson.

“Dayton Skyscrapers” is in its 18th year of a 20-year project. More than150 works of art have been created in the project.

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The exhibition serves four key roles:

• Identify and celebrate high achieving local and regional African Americans who have achieved highly in their field.

• Provide positive role models for urban youth.

• Celebrate local and regional African American artists.

• Enhance the general community’s appreciation of African American contributions to the Dayton Miami Valley region.

The works of art have been acquired and is being displayed within the Dayton Public Schools across the district. By the completion of 2025, all 27 school buildings in the district will have original art works hanging in the schools part of the learning environment. Organizers said teachers will be encouraged and assisted in “exploring and discovering innovative and creative ways to incorporate these skyscrapers and their achievements in all classes across the curriculum.”

The “Dayton Skyscrapers” Project Team consists of Curator and Project Director Willis “Bing” Davis, Coordinator Rosalyn Green, Assistant Coordinator Audrey Davis, Exhibit Designer James Pate, and Photographer Horace Dozier Sr.

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THE 2024 SKYSCRAPERS AND ARTISTS:

ANTHONY WHITMORE

By Gregg DeGroat, Artist

CAROLYN Y. PERKINS

By Greg Changa Freeman, Artist

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

CAROLYN E. WRIGHT

By Abner Cope, Artist

DARIA DILLARD STONE

By Craig Screven, Artist

DERRICK L. FOWARD

By Gregg DeGroat, Artist

HELEN E. JONES-KELLEY

By Morris Howard, Artist

KATT WILLIAMS

By James Pate, Artist

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

LAVERNE CECILE KENON-SCI

By Reginald Harmon, Artist

JUDGE MIA WORTHAM SPELLS

By Reginald Harmon, Artist

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

NNODUM IHEME

By Dwayne Daniel, Artist

STEPHEN ROSS

By Clifford Darrett, Artist

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

TROY PEARSON

By James Pate, Artist

WILLIAM GILLISPIE

By Clifford Darrett, Artist

PASTOR XAVIER L. JOHNSON

By Derrick Davis, Artist

How to go

What: “2024 Dayton Skyscrapers” Opening Reception

Where: EbonNia Gallery, 1135 W. Third St., Dayton

When: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 26

Cost: Free

More info: 937-223-2290 or bingdavisartstudio.org.

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About the Author

Russell Florence Jr.

Russell Florence Jr. is team leader/coordinator of Lifestyles/Dayton.com. He has been an arts/lifestyles reporter for Dayton Daily News since 2012. He formerly served on the Dayton Daily News Community Board of Contributors and assisted the Dayton Daily News Editorial Board. He received his BA in mass communications from Wright State University.