Members’ Spotlight Exhibition: Amy Deal: Leaves
Featuring the current body of work by Dayton-based artist, Amy Deal.
Amy Deal, born in 1966 in Cranberry Prairie, OH, grew up in a rural setting as the daughter of a German potato farmer and a homemaker. In a community where traditional roles for women prevailed, her parents made it clear that they would support her pursuit of higher education. Amy spent her youth exploring the outdoors, collecting wildflowers to create pigments for her paintings and using her creativity to adorn her surroundings with her art.
She went on to earn a BFA in Visual Communications from Kent State University, driven by a desire for a fiscally responsible career in the arts. Her early career saw her working as a creative director, collaborating with public relations firms on annual reports and contributing to corporate branding and advertising campaigns. However, her path took a turn when she became a mother and found it impossible to leave her child in anyone else’s care. During these early parenting years, she returned to her passion for painting.
As her children grew, Amy dedicated more time to her painting, earning recognition and awards for her work, which now resides in both public and private collections across the United States. Her current series of paintings reflects her deep connection to nature, emphasizing themes of growth, dirt, and plant life.
Amy and her husband, Kevin, sold their family home and transformed a commercial building in downtown Dayton, OH, into a unique living space that includes her studio and his workshop. This move allowed them to stay close to the vibrant energy of the city while pursuing their creative passions.
For Amy, painting has been a source of contentment, providing her with a fulfilling outlet for her artistic expression and a profound connection to the natural world she holds dear.
On view inside The Jonathan Hale & T. Chase Gallery, also known as The CoSHOP.
OPENING RECEPTION: Nov. 5, 2025; 6-8 pm
CLOSING RECEPTION: Nov. 29; 4-6 pm
FREE and Open to All.