Member’s Spotlight Exhibitions

The Member’s Spotlight Exhibitions at The Contemporary Dayton celebrate the vibrant creativity of our local and regional artist community. Open to all current artist members, this ongoing series offers participants the unique opportunity to present a focused body of work in a solo exhibition curated by Heather Jones, Curator and Director of Programs and Engagement.

Each exhibition is installed in The T. Chase Hale & Jonathan A. Hale Gallery and remains on view for one month, opening with a public reception on the first Wednesday and continuing through the last Saturday of the month. These exhibitions not only highlight the diverse practices and perspectives of our members but also provide a professional platform for artists to gain visibility and engage directly with audiences.

Most artworks are available for purchase, with proceeds supporting both the artist and The Contemporary Dayton’s mission to advance equity, diversity, and access through contemporary art. Participation in the Member’s Spotlight series is one of the many valuable benefits of being an artist member of The Contemporary Dayton.

Currently on View

Judd Plattenburg, Cuba Still in Motion, 2025, photograph on aluminum, 16 x 20 inches, Courtesy of the artist.

Judd Plattenburg: Cuba Still in Motion

September 11 – October 12, 2025

Closing Reception: October 12, 4 – 6 pm

Reviving The Contemporary Dayton’s 10+ year tradition of small, short, rotating exhibitions and sale opportunities for Member artists, we are proud to present Cuba in Motion, a selection of four photographs by Dayton-based artist, Judd Plattenburg.

“I didn’t set out to document Cuba in a traditional sense. This is not a history lesson or a political portrait. It’s a visual rhythm, a choreography of images drawn from return visits, deepening familiarity, and small moments that stayed with me.”

—Judd Platttenburg

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Judd is a Dayton native, entrepreneur, and photographer. For over 25 years he owned Oregon Printing Communications, a design, print & mail company where he built his reputation on craft and presentation—values that also guide his photography. Judd has been photographing since the seventh grade, and over the years his work has ranged from river landscapes and wildlife to portraits of everyday life. He is especially drawn to visual storytelling—capturing fleeting moments filled with emotion, beauty, or tension—and pairing those images with thoughtful presentation in print. In the past decade he has made six trips to Cuba, creating a body of work that reflects the vitality and character of the island.