School of the DAI Alumni Retrospective
August 14 – September 5, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, August 14, 6:00–8:00 PM
Closing Reception: Saturday, September 5, 12:00–3:00 PM
The Dayton Society of Artists is pleased to present School of the DAI Alumni Retrospective, a special exhibition celebrating the artists, history, and lasting influence of the School of the Dayton Art Institute.
For generations, the School of the Dayton Art Institute played an important role in fine arts education in the Dayton region, providing rigorous artistic training and helping shape the careers of artists who would go on to contribute to the cultural life of Dayton and beyond. Although the school closed in 1975, its influence continues through the artists who studied there, the work they created, and the artistic communities they helped build.
Bringing together work by more than 40 alumni, this retrospective offers a rare opportunity to experience the breadth of artistic practices that emerged from the school. Spanning generations, media, and individual approaches, the exhibition celebrates both the accomplishments of its alumni and the enduring legacy of arts education in Dayton.
The exhibition also highlights an important connection between the School of the Dayton Art Institute and the Dayton Society of Artists. Founded in 1938 by artists associated with the Dayton Art Institute, DSA shares a history rooted in the development of Dayton's visual arts community. Nearly nine decades later, the Dayton Society of Artists continues that tradition by providing artists with opportunities to exhibit, connect, and contribute to the cultural life of the region.
Participating Alumni Artists
Patrick W. Bargage, Joseph Barrish, Winnie Barnett Potter, Sue E. Bordenkircher, Dr. Bob Brandt Jr., Virginia (Lake) Burroughs, Bob Coates, Bing Davis, Jane A. Dunwoodie, John Emery, Ruth Schlotterbeck Fisher, Mark Freytag, John Fryant, Pamela Grizzall-Harrington, John Barlow Hudson, Pat Jessee Jordan, Tom Jordan, Jill Josupeit, David E. Kuns, Lilliam Lomden, Jim McCullough, Paul Melia, Terry Monk, Ray Must, Bob Naas, Jim Pugh, Victoria Rector, Brenda S. Richardson, Patricia Robinow, Roger Sayre, Hollye Shewbe-Inderrieden, Lori Shurte, David W. Shurte, Helen Stamas, Sue Sullivan, David Sweeney, Enid Tangeman, Tom Till, Rick Washington, Joan A. Weber, Louis A. Weber, and James Yoko.
School of the DAI Alumni Retrospective is on view August 14 through September 5, 2026, at the Dayton Society of Artists' High Street Gallery. The exhibition opens with a public reception on Friday, August 14, from 6:00–8:00 PM and concludes with a closing reception on Saturday, September 5, from 12:00–3:00 PM.
