When the Dallas Foundation moved into Pegasus Park this summer, the fundraising nonprofit transformed its new offices into an exhibition for Dallas-based artists.
“We used this as an opportunity to create a space where we could represent the community we support,” says Liz Vickers, The Dallas Foundation’s director of governance and special projects. “How could we bring the community of Dallas into a space where we could be reminded of who we are and why we do what we do?”
Vickers reached out to Lynn Rushton, a local artist and the collection and conservation manager with the city of Dallas, to curate the exhibition. After a series of conversations and a tour of Pegasus Park, Vickers and Rushton had a lightbulb moment. “We should have it be all women from North Texas,” says Rushton. “Each woman represents different parts of our community, and also represents abstract art in a different way.”
Vickers and Rushton selected Radharani Chatterjee, Ann Marlar, and Marie Renfro for the Pegasus Park exhibition. “They all approach the content of their work from different viewpoints and mediums,” says Rushton. The trio includes Renfro’s collages, Chatterjee’s abstract paintings, and Marlar’s watercolor paintings. Their pieces at Pegasus Park reflect an abstract, representational perspective of Dallas.
This exhibition is the inaugural show in the Pegasus Park office, which is located just off Interstate 35 near the Southwestern Medical District. At the moment, the exhibition is on display to guests, donors, partners of The Dallas Foundation. In the future, the foundation plans to showcase the works of diverse, Dallas-based artists, creators who are Latinx, LGBTQ, and students. Rushton describes the current exhibition as the “right time” to highlight women artists, many of whom are in their mid to late career, with a moment of recognition.
“All these artists that are veterans, so much of their inspiration came from North Texas, and we’re influenced by artists in North Texas,” says Rushton. “The cultural life that we have here is expressed in their work.”
The three women artists contributed 10 pieces to the exhibition. Each piece is available for purchase. All of the sale profits will go toward the artists.
Vickers believes this event could assist one of the artists in “getting their name out to a donor.” She views the exhibit as another venue to fulfill the foundation’s mission.
In addition to the three featured artists, another artist contributed to the office spaces in Pegasus Park. A member of The Stewpot’s Art Program painted a bright, colorful, and vibrant rendition of the city’s landmarks.
In the future, the Dallas Foundation plans to host an open house for the foundation’s donors and the public.
