Steel in a Different Light

For more than a century, steel has fueled the city of Middletown's economy, provided careers for generations of families, driven innovation, and become woven into the identity of the community itself. This fall, the Middletown Arts Center invites residents and visitors alike to experience that remarkable story from an entirely new perspective.

Steel in a Different Light is a unique collaborative exhibition featuring nationally recognized Dayton artist Mike Elsass, whose vibrant abstract works on weathered steel have been exhibited and collected throughout the United States and internationally, alongside original works created by employees of Cleveland-Cliffs. Together, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, craftsmanship, and enduring legacy of the people who continue to shape Middletown through steel.