August 9 - November 16, 2008

“To create one’s own world in any of the arts takes courage.”
-Georgia O’Keeffe

Art elevates the human spirit, but making art transforms the human spirit and catapults it to new, unexplored heights. This fall, enjoy a·muse, a special exhibition of art created by 67 of The Dayton Art Institute’s current instructors and students, ranging in age from 5 to 65. Works of art include jewelry, mosaics, sculptures, paintings and drawings. All of the student work was created in classes held at the museum in 2007 and 2008.

a·muse is sponsored in part by the Joan W. McCoy Memorial Art Fund. Joan W. McCoy was a practicing artist throughout her lifetime and worked full-time for seven years as The Dayton Art Institute’s first docent. She became a docent after receiving her Art History degree from Wooster College. As the museum’s first docent, Joan was in charge of tour information and training and supervising volunteer guides. She also taught ceramic art at the CeramiCenter in Cincinnati and participated in a 3-month tour of European art sites. She also attended the University of Dayton, obtaining a teaching degree in art, and years later received a Master’s degree in Art Education at Wright State University.

Joan was a superb high school art teacher and taught for 30 years at Wayne High School in Huber Heights. Joan was an exceptionally creative painter and ceramist and created outstanding art throughout her life. She was an active member of the Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors, the Fairborn Art Association, the Western Ohio Watercolor Society, the Ohio Watercolor Society, and the Dayton Traveling Brushes. Joan’s works appeared in many shows throughout the area and she won numerous awards for her painting and ceramics.

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops…”
-Hans Hofmann

a-muse was made possible with the support of the Joan W. McCoy Memorial Art Fund.

Joan W. McCoy's Fractal Palms is on view through a special loan from Mr. Jim McCoy.

Admission:  Free