Art Show Review: Dallas Arboretum - The Sequel
Log: June 20, 2024/ Location: Pinned beneath the White Lake and the tall pecans
In an earlier installment, I explained that the annual Dallas Arboretum Artscape faced an unpredictable weather weekend. Several of us bowed out while the troopers endured the climate. In a bold move and a commendable effort to preserve the relationship within the art community, the Dallas Arboretum invited those of us that missed the April show as well as those that participated in for a second showing, Artscape - The Sequel. Held over the 2024 Father’s Day weekend, 52 artists gathered beneath the high canopy of the Arboretum’s Pecan Grove.
While the climate once again played with our patrons, 95 degrees and 50% humidity, the show turned out as expected. Patrons visited Friday night during the VIP show, and both the Saturday and Sunday morning crowd played along nicely. Once lunchtime came around, patrons scurried indoors and quickly recognized, “If I don’t have to be out in this, I aint gonna.”
Once the patrons cleared out while a few stragelers hung around, an odd turn of events happened around the artists booths. Dialogue opened up allowing us to swap stories with one another, pique interest, gather details on upcoming shows while I, the photographer, the observer, found my spot away from the action and took it all in.
Budding artist Steve Stanley came Friday afternoon to help set-up so that he could get a grasp on an art fair’s inside workings.
Weaver Patricia Day gave detailed instructions on joining the Dallas Weavers Guild.
Wood sculptor David Savage brought his sister Zen along to help in his booth. She teachs summer art classes for young teenagers.
Laurie Martineau uses her grandfather’s hand tool in making her jewelry.
Mixed media artist Steve Chalson retired from his graphic design job and now makes sculptures using old skateboards.
Painter Wendy Davis seeking to increase her art’s visibility established Waco’s Austin Avenue November art show.
Patron Christine volunteers at the Dallas Equestrian Center aiding in therapeutic wellness.
Kandi Underwood uses reclaimed vintage suitcases when displaying her jewelry.
Hector, Becca, and their two adolescent sons traveled America’s southern states in a reconfigured 24-ft. school bus. Hector repainted the bus.
Two young ladies from Atlanta, C&C, left their established homes, set-out on a southern excursion across the country, shipping their auto, and establishing new careers in Hawaii.
The participating artists did their own thing, set tents, hung artwork, helped one another when needed. No one talked politics, sports, current events. Nobody grew angry with one another. We talked about our lives. Traveling, touring, comparable art shows, craftsmanship, tools and materials needed in making our art shine, and the diligent processes involved along the way.
Some details still remain proprietary.
Throughout the weekend, no music played. We made our own. For those listening closely, perhaps if you put an ear to the ground, you could hear a self-generating hum resonated among fellow artists as we presented our own little creations for the eyes of an anticipating audience. The heat may have dampened some spirits, but it didn’t touch the core of these artistic entrepreneurs. They persevered. And hidden out there, out of sight from an audience, I the photographer, the observer, the student of this art culture, witnessed it all beneath the tall shade trees inside Dallas Arboretum’s Pecan Grove.
Another adventure in the life of a traveling artist.
Painter Steve Stanley: Steve Stanley
Dallas Weavers Guild: Dallas Weavers Guild
Painter Erin Newton: Erin Newton
Artist Laurie Martineau: Laurie Martineau Studios
Sculptor Steve Chalson: Sculpture LLC
Waco’s Austin Avenue Art Fair: The Austin Ave. Art Fair
Painter Wendy Davis: Wendy Davis
Hector and Becca: Easy Street Prints
Lovely work, John. What a pleasure to read about your experience and the friendships/connections made.