In ideal form, art fairs are a place to check the pulse of the national or international art scene. Savvy viewers can learn about trends in the larger artistic zeitgeist and brave galleries will sometimes dedicate their booth to something particularly risky and wild. When that’s the case, art fairs are worth a visit from even the most moderately interested person.
But more often, art fairs are for buyers. They are like fancy (very fancy) flea markets where galleries set up small booths of art, often devoid of price tags, of which they are hopeful art advisers, and therefore collectors, want to purchase.
If you’re art fair curious, the 15th edition of the Dallas Art Fair returns to the Fashion Industry Gallery this week. It launches Thursday, April 20 with a press and VIP preview, followed by the fair’s preview benefit. Friday through Sunday it’s open to the general public; tickets start at $25 for one day access.
But if you’re merely art curious, this is a great week to get out and explore. Galleries and museums pack the city’s schedule with special events and openings. We’ve rounded up a handful to make the itinerary easier to create. All the events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.
Design District Gallery Night
April 19, 6 – 8 p.m. | Design District
Twelve galleries sit within just a few blocks. For this Wednesday night, the nucleus is the RiverBend strip mall, 150 Manufacturing St., where you can find some adult beverages alongside galleries including Erin Cluley Gallery and Keijsers Koning. Be sure to check out the opening “Extra Strength” at 12.26 Gallery, which contains a new body of work by New York-based painter Emily Furr. Then, make your way to Conduit Gallery, Peter Augustus and Site 131.
Dallas Contemporary
April 19, 7-9 p.m. | 161 Glass St.
Two exhibitions open at the Dallas Contemporary, the massive non-collecting museum (call it a kunsthalle to fit in) in the Design District. “Cerámica Suro: A Story of Collaboration, Production, and Collecting in the Contemporary Arts” looks at the impact of a Guadalajara ceramics studio on the international art scene. Concurrently, “This Must Be the Place” features the work of artist Eduardo Sarabia, a long time collaborator with the studio. For more on those exhibits.
Jessamine Inaugural Exhibition
April 19, 5 – 8 p.m. | 2720 Bataan St.
To catch the new-new in the Dallas art scene, head to the inaugural exhibition at Jessamine. Artists Oshay Green and Greg Meza open a new gallery space where they say their plans are to curate exhibitions “capable of overcoming limitations in contemporary programming.” And look, I don’t totally know what that means, but I’m excited to find out, especially if the gallery’s first show is any indication of what’s to come. New York-based Ren Light Pan, a Chinese-American transgender artist, creates work that blends, and then subverts, various modes of painting and genre. Think Chinese ink painting meets Western contemporary abstract painting meets readymade objects meets text. Or maybe don’t have any expectations at all. She’s been getting a lot of national and international attention, so this is an exhibit not to be missed. More information here.
The Power Station Opening
April 19, 5 – 8 p.m. | 3816 Commerce St.
On the east side of town, catch a dual exhibition opening at the always cool art space, The Power Station. The main exhibit is New York painter Giangiacomo Rossetti and in the garden annex of The Power Station, Picnic Curatorial Projects presents Amy Yao, “Asian Clam.” And check out The Picnic Surf Shop, an artist wares shop on the third floor of The Power Station throughout the Dallas Art Fair. More information.
Rachel Hayes Installation at Klyde Warren Park
April 19 – 23 | 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy
During the run of the Dallas Art Fair, the art spills over to Klyde Warren Park, thanks to Keijsers Koning Gallery. The Tulsa-based artist Rachel Hayes has created a large-scale installation that sits atop the deck park lawn. This multi-colored textile piece will wave in the wind meant to resemble the current of cars driving beneath the park. Visitors to the fair will also be welcomed into the exhibitors hall by Hayes’ quilt-like banners framing the entrance.
Karpidas Collection Open Hours
April 20, 10 a.m. – noon | 1532 Hi Line Dr
There are limited opportunities to see two of the best exhibitions on display in Dallas right now. The Karpidas Collection is a private museum with very limited hours, so take advantage of this time during the fair. “Holding Space” is a stunning series of nine large-scale works by Danish painter Mie Olise Kjærgaard curated by former collection director Sara Hignite. Paired with those paintings is”Your Gaze: Selections from The Karpidas Collection,” a show full of surprising work handpicked by the artist and Hignite.
The Eyeboretum
April 21-23 11 a.m. | The Eyeball, 1530 Main St.
The Eyeboretum is likely to go down in Dallas history as the most Instagrammable garden party… ever? Throughout the fair, the lawn directly in front of artist Tony Tasset’s “Eyeball” sculpture transforms into an immersive artistic space. Visitors can wander through the hedges or into the vegetable patches. Tickets are required and start at $10 for adults.
Vanity Fair’s Nate Freeman In Conversation with Evita Tezeno
April 21, 11 a.m.
Vanity Fair arts journalist Nate Freeman will interview Evita Tezeno, the Dallas-based artist exhibiting at the Dallas Art Fair with art gallery Luis De Jesus Los Angeles. Tezeno’s work was acquired by the Dallas Museum of Art at the fair last year. She is a 2023 Guggenheim Foundation fellowship recipient. Seating is limited, register here.
Pop-up Installation and Book Launch, Presented by Morán Morán and The Joule
April 21, 5 – 7 p.m. | The Joule, 1530 Main St.
Los Angeles gallery Morán Morán will take over the Joule lobby during the fair to present a series of its artists including Chelsea Culprit, Borna Sammak, and Cauleen Smith, alongside the late artist John Giorno. In conjunction, the gallery will release an illustrated catalog for “Cherry Blossoms are Razor Blades,” Giorno’s first solo exhibition, which took place last fall in Los Angeles.
Various Small Fires Opening
April 21, 6 – 8 p.m. | 1511 Commerce St.
It’s been one year since Various Small Fires, which has locations in L.A. and Seoul, opened in downtown Dallas. To mark the occasion, the gallery will exhibit the work of Caitlin Lonegan, a Los Angeles-based abstract painter. These works capture elements of light and nature and the press release compares her practice to Monet’s “exploration of atmospheric color.” The opening reception will have street tacos and frozen margaritas.
An AR(t) Show feat. Molly Dickson + collab with The Blake Wright
April 22, 7 – 10 p.m. | 1526 S. Good Latimer Expressway
Two local artists dabbling in augmented reality offer local branding and talent agencies Tractorbeam and Sisterbrother MGMT the opportunity to throw a party. Photographer Molly Dickson and illustrator Blake Wright will show individual and collaborative work at this slick office building just south of downtown.
The Art of Making It Screening
April 23, 11 a.m. | Nasher Sculpture Center, 2001 Flora St. Listen, nothing’s better than slipping into a movie theater after a long weekend. And if you haven’t seen the 2021 documentary, “The Art of Making It,” it’s worth your time. It explores what it takes to carve out a space for yourself in the contemporary art world with interviews by Dave Hickey, Andrea Bowers, Jerry Gogosian and more. RSVP required. [email protected]
Author
