When you hang a Dan Cleary photograph, you’re not just adding décor—you’re installing a slice of Ohio’s history, spirit, and landscape, rendered with museum-level craft. Cleary, the Dayton-based artist behind Cleary Creative Photography and Cleary Fine Art Photography blends four decades of professional image-making with a storyteller’s instinct. His acclaimed series Wright Brothers: Then and Now—and the book by the same name—has been featured in regional media, stocked by respected museums, and celebrated by curators and audiences alike
What Sets Dan’s Art Work Apart
A signature body of work with national resonance
Cleary’s Wright Brothers: Then and Now series of photographs pairs historical Wright Brothers pictures with contemporary images he made at the same locations, creating a compelling then-versus-now visual dialogue about innovation, perseverance, and place. Julie Grahame has profiled the project at aCurator, and Plane and Pilot magazine wrote an article about the project. The book that accompanies the series is available via multiple outlets, including museums and retail channels—clear signals of both artistic merit and public appeal.
Exhibitions and Community Impact
Cleary’s large-scale installations for organizations like the Dayton Metro Library’s ReImagaining Works project. Dan’s installation titled “Kettering, Deeds and Delco” pays homage to Charles Kettering and Edward Deeds in this large-scale photographic triptych. Cleary builds his imagery with many translucent layers interweaving a modern color image of Deeds’ barn, where the two men met to collaborate and invent, with historic photographs of them, along with images of patent drawings of Kettering’s inventions. Their association evolved into a 50-year partnership, resulting in numerous joint ventures that transformed the nature and quality of modern life. Most notable is the invention of the electric starter and the subsequent formation of DELCO, which offered thousands of jobs to many individuals from this neighborhood. His exhibitions—such as the “Over Seventy Feet of Photography” display—have been showcased by regional arts venues and featured in the Dayton Daily News. He’s also presented talks for libraries and arts groups, bringing an educator’s clarity to audiences who want to understand how photographs carry history forward.
Deep Ohio Roots, Refined For Collectors
Dan Cleary was born out in the country in Miami County. His exploration of this landscape as a child sparked his creativity. From river bends to city skyline silhouettes, Cleary’s Ohio collections are richly edited and available as fine art giclée prints—ready for homes, corporate environments, and public spaces. His website gallery highlights Dayton and broader Midwest scenes, with an emphasis on longevity, print quality, and timeless subject matte.
What You Can Count On From Dan
- Archival, gallery-ready prints. Cleary offers fine art giclée photographs in a range of sizes, produced to collector standards for color fidelity and longevity.
- Curated Ohio and aviation history collections. The Wright Brothers series—spanning Dayton, Kitty Hawk, Fort Myer, and even France—anchors an expanding catalog that celebrates place and progress.
- Commission expertise. With decades of experience running Cleary Creative Photography, Dan brings professional production discipline—encompassing planning, lighting, and post-production—to every fine art commission and installation.
- Books and large-format displays. The Wright Brothers: Then and Now book delves deeper into the story behind the prints, while large installations make a statement in lobbies, corridors, and public venues.
Benefits For Collectors, Corporations, and Public Spaces
For private collectors
- Conversation-starting art with provenance. Owning a Cleary print—especially from the Wright Brothers series—means owning a documented chapter of American innovation, interpreted by an Ohio artist who did the research and fieldwork to match historic vantage points.
- Aesthetic longevity. Cleary’s compositions favor structure, light, and narrative over trend, so your artwork remains relevant as styles change—evidence is the series’ museum-store distribution and continued press, markers of staying power.
For corporate and institutional buyers
- Place-making with purpose. Cleary’s Ohio landscapes and aviation pieces reinforce regional identity and innovation culture—ideal for homes, offices, hospitals, universities, and civic buildings.
- Ready-made corporate gifts. The Wright Brothers: Then and Now book offers a distinctive client or employee gift—memorable, substantive, and proudly local.
- Scale and delivery. From print selection to installation, Cleary’s commercial background means predictable timelines and professional execution.
For curators and program directors
- Exhibit-proven storytelling. Exhibits and discussions surrounding the Wright Brothers’ work demonstrate that the images resonate with a broad public, while still rewarding close, scholarly examination.
The Craft Behind the Camera
Cleary’s practice marries research with patience. For Wright Brothers: Then and Now, he studied archives, tracked down exact coordinates, returned at the right light, and stitched eras together with meticulous post-production—so the historical through-line reads instantly, without gimmickry. The result is a portfolio that’s both intellectually grounded and visually magnetic, which is why curators, librarians, and news outlets continue to highlight the work.
What Collectors Say With Their Choices
You can learn a lot about an artist by where their work lives. When museum stores carry the book and regional media covers the installations, it signals trust: curators believe the work is accurate, compelling, and exhibition-worthy—and buyers believe it belongs on their shelves and walls. Cleary’s distribution through the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force’s store and coverage by the Dayton Daily News reflect exactly that.
How To Start Your Collection
- Explore the galleries. Browse the Ohio and Wright Brothers collections to shortlist images that match your space and story.
- Choose a print size and finish. Cleary’s fine art giclée options are designed for residential or large public spaces.
- Add the book for depth. Pair your chosen print with Wright Brothers: Then and Now to give viewers context—and to elevate the artwork’s educational value.
- Ask about commissions or installations. For branded environments or historical corridors, Cleary can tailor imagery and delivery to your site’s needs.
The Big Picture
Ohio has many talented photographers—but Dan Cleary stands apart for the way he turns Ohio’s past and present into living, collectible history. If you want fine art photography that’s beautiful on day one and meaningful for decades, start with Cleary’s Ohio landscapes and Wright Brothers series—and let your walls tell a story only an Ohioan can create.
Explore Dan’s work and shop prints and books at Cleary Fine Art Photography.