Montgomery County Convention
Facilities Authority
Progress | Hospitality | Growth
Hospitality focused, progressive and collaborative, welcoming and interactive….the MCCFA (the Authority) was formed in 2019 and is a unique government body that assumed ownership of the Dayton Convention Center on April 1, 2021, with a mission to restore/revitalize the heartbeat of our hospitality community. The Authority has the responsibility of funding improvements and services for the Dayton Convention Center that will allow the CVB to attract more national and regional events that drive revenue and economic growth back into Montgomery County and the City of Dayton. A collaborative sales approach with hotel partners, CVB and community stakeholders that will attract segments of business such as; Leisure, Group Tours, Association, Corporate, Government SMERF (Society, Military, Educational, Religious and Fraternal) and Sporting events, will cause hotel compression and pent up demand, benefiting suburban hotels and increase visitor spending. Our goal is to increase Countywide spending in our hotels, restaurants and retail outlets, to support our local businesses.
The MCCFA operates independently, by an 11-member Board of Directors.
Public Art – Local, Regional and National Art at the Dayton Convention Center
Dayton’s rich art history and culture is experienced by convention visitor’s and residents alike throughout our region. The MCCFA proudly captured many regional elements of our deep-rooted spirit of innovation, the birthplace of aviation and the beauty of natural landscape throughout the reimagined Dayton Convention Center. When you visit our completed renovated facility, you truly enjoy not just a world class meetings and event venue, but an art collection where each artist brings our story to life.
Two Songs – Paul and Orville
By April Wagner
Read Artist Statement
Glass, unlike any other artistic medium, is in a constant state of transition. Neither solid nor liquid, it is a gift from nature that has changed the course of humankind. From harnessing light into bulbs or creating information superhighways, from looking deep in the ocean to millions of miles into outer space, glass allows us to see and be seen. Used for art it creates a state of wonder in us, the beauty and sparkle, how it dances with the light, it feels very magical and engaging.
In my work I capture the motion of the glass as a liquid, the point where its softness is captured to create a story about flux and transition that references the journey of being human. I use glass to help us see ourselves, in nature, and with each other as special and unique but part of a collective experience that brings us together despite the differences.
-April Wagner
Ethereal Forest
By Dustin Wagner
Read Artist Statement
Ethereal Forest is designed to seamlessly blend modern art with the beauty of nature, creating an illusion of lightness and fluidity. This work of art explores the delicate balance between form and space, using glass elements to evoke a sense of movement and light. The sculpture is inspired by water droplets on bamboo stalks. The fluidity of the glass pieces will evoke the movement of nature, frozen in time. The interplay between light and the translucent nature of glass will create a calming, serene atmosphere.
-Dustin Wagner
Bow to the Tarpon
By Dave Williams
Read Artist Statement
“Bow to the Tarpon” captures the raw power and grace of one of the most iconic fish species in the World. The tarpon’s large, flat scales, and sleek body, with its mix of blue-gray and green tones, contrasts sharply against the bright silver of its underbelly. In this piece, the abstract art form of the tarpon reflects its movement—powerful yet graceful.
This painting is part of The Art in Fishing, a collection of works that explore the inherent beauty of each fish species through dynamic abstract compositions using weathered steel and acrylic paints.| capture the unique patterns and colors of each fish in a way that honors the natural world while celebrating the thrill of the catch. The resin finish preserves the moment, as if the fish were just lifted from the water.
The piece was inspired by a memorable morning spent off Boca Grande, Florida, where I battled a tarpon with my fishing buddies. The ight was intense, but the experience of connecting with such a powerful creature—the sight of breaking the surface in a dramatic leap-stayed with me, and l knew l had to trans. late that energy onto the canvas.
This installation was created during the renovation of the Dayton Convention Center from 2023 to ’25. This project that, like any great catch, takes patience, grit, and vision. The renovation of the Convention Center will start a new chapter, no longer just surviving, but thriving.
Ive spent over 30 years in urban redevelopment, and learned that art is often the first element to breathe new energy into forgotten places. Along the way, I had the good fortune to reconnect with internationally recognized Dayton artist Mike Elsass. His mentorship taught me that making art is a lot like fishing: part skill, part instinct, and a whole lot of trust in the unknown. He helped me understand how color and texture cast deep into memory and meaning.
The Art in Fishing— has been a way to bring together the wild places I love with the creative spirit l’ve always carried. Fishing has taken me to quiet waters and crashing surf, to sunrise solitude and shared laughter. It’s given me a connection to the natural world that runs deep, and it’s brought me closer to friends, family, and myself.
-Dave Williams
Five Rivers
By SA Greenery
Read Artist Statement
Windows of Flight
By Malina Cipleu
Read Artist Statement
Drawing upon the perspective of airplane windows, I am thinking of the aerial view of blue skies, shitting gray clouds, and vibrant green fields. The design features tall and short glass panels that create a visual experience that connects the natural world with the spirit of exploration.
-Malina Cipleu
Dayton History & Cultural Gallery
3rd Floor
Alliance
By Albert Dicruttalo
Read Artist Statement
Dayton is admired for its rich history as ” The Gem City,” a place known not only for its industrial innovation but also for its unique beauty and diversity.
Dayton’s legacy as a center of innovation is unparalleled, from the Wright Brothers’ pioneering achievements in aviation to the ongoing contributions in science, technology, and the arts. This spirit of invention and forward-thinking is a critical part of what makes Dayton special, and I was inspired to create a sculpture that speaks to the city’s storied past and its bright, innovative future.
“Alliance” features three interlocking elliptical rings, each symbolizing a core value: diversity, unity, and progress. The first ring represents diversity, with its open and varied design echoing the richness of different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. The second ring speaks to unity, with its smooth, continuous form signifying the strength that comes from collaboration and harmony among different people. The third ring embodies progress, angled forward and reaching upward to reflect the city’s relentless drive toward innovation and a brighter future. The sculpture, measuring roughly fourteen feet tall, reflects these core values through its complex yet harmonious design, symbolizing the many facets that make Dayton truly exceptional.
I’m honored to contribute a work of art to the Dayton Convention Center that encapsulates these elements and becomes a meaningful part of Dayton’s public landscape. I believe that public art has the power to inspire and unite, and I am excited about the possibility of creating something that speaks to Dayton’s unique history, natural beauty, innovative spirit.
-Albert Dicruttalo
Dance of Light
Hand Crafted Chandeliers – Rooms 305/306
