Summer crops are popping up all over Ohio. Tomatoes are finally red and sweet, the corn has grown six feet high, and summer squash is rising from the earth. Summer is a time of plenty, but all the glorious produce you see around you didn’t just happen by accident. Farmers and gardeners across our region put in the time many months ago to ensure a bountiful season. They tilled and planted, and watched over their crop with intention. Because of that hard work and commitment to their crops, many of us are lucky enough to have fresh produce, vegetables and flowers delivered to our door direct from our farmers through CSAs, or Community Supported Agriculture.
Now flip your perspective and imagine instead of a tomato, a painting. Instead of an ear of corn, a photograph, instead of a squash, a limited edition print. You, as a community member, buy into your “farmer”, but instead it’s a group of artists, and at the end of the harvest you have a beautiful bounty of local, fresh, organic, humanely-raised art work. Annnnd like a traditional CSA, you don’t know exactly what veggies you’d get until you pick it up!
The Dayton Visual Arts Center has harvested the talents of four local artists, Amy Powell, Danielle Rante, Francis Schanberger, and Andrea Starkey to create 50 works each to be offered as a “share”– a portfolio of 4 artworks –2 photographs and 2 prints—to the public. Shareholders are invited to pick up their works at the DVAC CSA Harvest Pick-Up Party, on August, 8, at The Dayton Beer Company. But the best part is, everyone’s invited to see what all the fuss is about! Whether you’re already a shareholder or you want to just check it out , the party will be a blast—featuring live R&B oldies from the Old Skool Duo, and Brixx Ice Company pizzas. Admission is free for shareholders (and includes 1 DBC beer ticket) and $10 for all others.
What a unique opportunity to fall in love and bring home four beautiful, signed, limited edition 2D works of art by local artists!
This is the second year DVAC has invited art-lovers to be personally involved in nourishing the creation of art by some of the region’s most collectible emerging artists. Last year’s round included six works of art by six artists and was a great success. This year, each CSA share guarantees four works of art by four talented local artists with the option for unframed, or framed work. DVAC still has shares available, and now is the chance to get the freshest artsy crops before the harvest is over.
With 25 years of innovative programming under its belt, DVAC continues to remain on the cutting edge by presenting exciting ways to connect artists and art lovers. The art CSA concept has been sweeping the nation for just a few years now, with cities including Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Chicago, and Raleigh, harvesting their local artist’s works and offering them up to hundreds of art fans. Dayton has long been known as an art town that rivals many others, even bigger in size, but with the development of DVAC’s CSA, DVAC joins a dozen other creative cities that are known for cultivating talented, emerging artists. How cool is that?
work by Andrea Starke.
With the purchase of a DVAC CSA you will receive one original artwork each from four exciting local artists whose work is not only coveted by Dayton friends and collectors, but who have shown in galleries from New York to Copenhagen, and been published in Elle, The New York Times and Time. Since February the artists have been posting works in progress, #dvaccsa #wip pics on their Instagram accounts. Take a look to get a glimpse of the artworks sprouting this year created solely for the DVAC CSA. Just as farmer’s crops are grown specifically with the consumer in mind, your work of art is created just for you to hang on your wall with pride enjoyed for years to come.
An investment in your community, the creative artisans who capture nature, and our living world happening around you, and four new pieces of art for you to have in your home. This opportunity won’t stay on the vine for long, so be sure to grab a share and enjoy the fruits of your community’s labors with the help of the Dayton Visual Arts Center CSA.
sweet to end the meal. As Julia Child once said “A party without cake is just a meeting.” I’m not suggesting you HAVE to make a cake (although, I’ve been working on mastering one, recipe to come later!) but it’s nice to have something sweet for your guests. If you’re not a baker, don’t stress about it. You could honestly throw some peanut M&M’s in a bowl and call it a day. Just make sure you keep that bowl filled! In my opinion there are two ways to celebrate, with chocolate or with champagne, so don’t let your party go without either. This is another great way to work with the seasons. In winter think peppermint, in fall deep dark chocolatey flavors, but in spring and summer, I like to go with citrus. I rarely come across a person in life who doesn’t like lemon bars, and my favorite recipe is from the 
