Since graduating from The University of Toledo in 2013, Dee Brown has achieved much of what she wanted. Delightful Art with Dee, her beautiful art gallery, is supported by a regional community of artists, musicians, comedians, as well as a swarm of adoring supporters, who all attend her non-profit gallery’s multiple, monthly events.
“I’m a jumper,” said Brown, proudly beaming while sitting in a lounge chair in her Davis Building gallery. Surrounded by art, it is clear her individually-run gallery is a space of both labor and love. “To hang my shows, I’m touching over 500 pieces of art a month— twice,” she said, laughing.
Opening up
Meeting Brown on a sunny and warm November day, I groggily sipped on an afternoon coffee while she projected high-energy. Brown’s excitable demeanor ranges from uttering left-field non-sequiturs to quickly recalling exact dates or specific facts. She’s like a butterfly — hard to catch, but that flutter is part of her charm.
“I don’t like being stuffy. I think people place too much importance on labels and formalities. I’d like to break down the barriers and stereotypes— I’m tired of categorization. I embrace informality,” Brown explained. “The people who hang their work on the walls, that stand up at open mics, this is our family. When I first moved here, people would talk about local art cliques— I don’t want to be a part of any clique. I don’t want this space to be another labeled environment in Toledo. I want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable together.”
A lot to celebrate
On December 13, Delightful Art will celebrate a one year anniversary and there are many reasons to celebrate. Brown selected her gallery space after exhibiting her work in the Davis Building Gallery. The gallery features monthly artist shows and offers monthly events that include a large party for every 3rd Thursday Loop for an ever increasing, diverse crowd.
“The second and last Tuesday of every month is our Toledo Art Jam open mic nights, which are all-inclusive open mic nights, led by Orlando Finelli,” said Brown. “We have poetry, music…beatbox, whatever. Just bring it. People often bring supplies to create live art.”
Inclusivity and openness is a recurring theme at Delightful Art with Dee. Brown believes in an informal, free-form, group-led rhythm— the same that helped her get where she is now.
“I studied sculpture at UT with Tom Lingeman as my main instructor. He taught me to get out there and grab [my] goals,” Brown said. “If that’s what you want to do— go for it. If you need help, give me a chance, and I’ll help you. That’s what I’ve learned from UT and what I want to give back to
Toledo.”
Upcoming events:
Happy Holiday Loop Party, with Kate Argow and David Annis as featured artists. Pianist John Cleveland will provide tunes. 6-9pm Thursday, November 19.
Toledo Art Jam Open Mic Night – Parental discretion advised for children, because of possible mature language and content. 8pm-midnight Tuesday, November 24.
Twilight Tuesday – Help support the YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter by shopping for handmade items, enjoying yoga with Marci Crawford and the neighboring Illuma Studio, Paint and Pour with Tanna Johnoff, and more. $15, for yoga. $TBA, Paint and Pour. 5-9pm Tuesday, December 1.
Hours: 2-6pm Tuesday-Saturday
Delightful Art with Dee, 137 N. Michigan St.
419-407-5404 | delightfulart.org facebook.com/artwithaheartone