DAYTON, OH.- The Contemporary Dayton is presenting Lori Daugherty: Bold Whispers, the latest Member’s Spotlight Exhibition that celebrates the vibrant creativity of local and regional artist community. The exhibition will be on view December 3-27, 2025 in The T. Chase Hale & Jonathan A. Hale Gallery, located in The Contemporary Dayton.

Lori Daugherty: Bold Whispers features a series of intimate encaustic paintings by Dayton-based artist Lori Daugherty.

Bold Whispers brings together a series of small-scale works in which color, wax, and heat converge to create quietly potent moments of energy. Working with encaustic wax, inks, and the unpredictable dynamics of torch and flame, Daugherty builds layered surfaces that balance translucency, texture, and movement. Each painting offers an “organic burst”—alive, expanding, and subtly insistent—inviting viewers to slow down and discover the power held in delicacy and nuance.

“What first appears restrained reveals surprising force,” says Heather Jones, Curator and Director of Programs and Engagement. “Lori’s work sits beautifully between control and spontaneity. These pieces reward close looking and open into larger narratives the longer one stays with them.”

In her artist statement, Daugherty writes: “In Bold Whispers, color and wax collide to create small moments that pulse with quiet energy. Sometimes the whispers are far more intriguing than the actual story.” This approach is evident across the exhibition, where each composition reflects her interest in transformation, tension, and the expressive potential of abstraction.

Daugherty, who lives and works in Dayton, creates encaustic paintings that explore texture, color, and movement. Her work embraces abstraction while evoking emotional resonance and curiosity, encouraging viewers to engage with the interplay of gesture, shape, and luminous color.

All artworks in the exhibition are available for purchase, with proceeds supporting both the artist and The Contemporary Dayton’s mission to connect artists and audiences through accessible, engaging contemporary art experiences.