First Friday, Downtown Dayton's monthly art hop, returns on June 5 with a focus on artist-run spaces at Front Street Studios. Featured spaces include Divisible Gallery, operated by artists Jeffrey Cortland Jones and Heather Jones, which is part of an international network of contemporary art spaces that share artists and exhibitions across countries under the "New Modern" movement—a minimalist, abstract style emphasizing materials and form. Also spotlighted is MarYSoul Expression, a Black-owned studio curated by Marcela De La Trigg, offering workshops in dance, performance, visual art, and community connection, influenced by Dennis Dailey's "Circles of Sexuality" framework.
This article matters because it highlights the power of grassroots, artist-led initiatives in fostering diversity, collaboration, and international exchange within a local art scene. By featuring spaces like Divisible Gallery and MarYSoul Expression, the event underscores how small, independent venues can create inclusive environments that blend fine art with participatory experiences, strengthening community ties and offering alternative models to traditional museum or gallery structures.