Life in Dallas

An Insiders Look of Dallas

Dr Eric Olson of UT Southwestern at the President's Research Council Dinner 2023.
UT Southwestern President’s Research Council Dinner 2023 with Dr. Eric Olson.
Orphan Outreach hosted Children's Hope Award Dinner with speakers Blair Pogue and Coach Tony Dungy.
Blair Pogue, Cristin Pogue, Tony Dungy and Douglas Newby at Orphan Outreach Children’s Hope Award Dinner honoring Blair Pogue and his family.
Cliff Welch, FAIA, in Home he Designed Celebrated by Patron Magazine
Michael Lee creates something sophisticated and beautiful from original silly flower presentation.
PRC Dinner 2023
Swiss Avenue Historic District Mother's Day Home Tour 2023 in Dallas, Texas
The Swiss Avenue Historic District Mother’s Day Home Tour 2023 held in Dallas, Texas.
Top row from left: PRC Dinner 2023, Richard Drummond Davis, Cliff Welch, FAIA. Second row from left: Michael Lee, Design Genius, Jack Knox Creates Cafe Pacific Magic, Mother’s Day Home Tour.

Life in Dallas is intended to provide casual snapshots and vignettes of people and places one might see in the course of living in Dallas. These spontaneous and sporadic posts are not intended to give an exhaustive or even a full view of Dallas. Here you will find hints of Dallas.

Sugar and Sage is Always a Treat

Sugar and Sage Bakery and Coffee shop located in University Park at 4314 Lovers Lane, in the Idlewild neighborhood of University Park, Dallas, Texas.

Alison Weinstein created Sugar and Sage, which has become a destination for those in University Park, Bluffview, and for that matter people all over Dallas. The clientele evolves through the time of day and the days of the week. Regardless, it is always busy, the service always friendly, and the pastries delectable.

Nasher Exhibition in the Arts District

Artist Otobong Nkanga: "Each Seed a Body" exhibit at the Nasher Sculpture Center located in Dallas Arts District, Dallas, Texas.
The 2025 Nasher Prize Laureate Otobong Nkanga, “Each Seed a Body” exhibition.

Lorenzo Piano designed arched ceiling of glass allowing diffused sunlight is the perfect environment for the exhibition by artist Otobong Nkanga, “Each Seed a Body.”

Artist Otobong Nkanga's exhibit "Each Seed a Body" is at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas Arts District.
2025 Nasher Prize Laureate Otobong Nkanga: “Each Seed a Body”.

Laura Wilson Permeates Richard Avedon’s American West Exhibit

Richard Avedon's "In the American West" photographic exhibition at the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth.
“Richard Avedon at the Carter – In the American West” is as compelling an exhibition as it was originally in 1985. It becomes even more interesting as his assistant Laura Wilson has become a nationally acclaimed photographer in her own right. For this exhibition, she helped identify the subjects of these photographs, convinced them to be photographed, and helped set up the shoot. One can see the influence of Richard Avedon in the portraits she has taken of people in interesting communities across the country.

Fort Worth is great fun to visit and enjoy the museums, especially when there are Dallas artists being exhibited. The Amon Carter has brought back the 1985 photographic exhibition in which Richard Avedon was the star photographer. Laura Wilson, as his assistant, was deeply involved with the success of the project. Now she is a nationally admired photographer in her own right, with museum exhibitions of her work and books devoted to her photographs. Now when we think of Richard Avedon photographs, we think of Laura Wilson. In the meantime, between projects, Laura Wilson lives in the Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas. She is a fabulous talent and is much beloved by the Dallas community.

Artist Richard Avedon's documents his view of the American West through a series of portraits, first exhibited in 1985 at Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas.
Artist Richard Avedon’s documents his view of the American West through a series of portraits, first exhibited in 1985 at Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas.
Photographer/artist Richard Avedon's exhibit portrays the American West through his eyes. The exhibit is located at the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.
Photographer/artist Richard Avedon’s exhibit portrays the American West through his eyes. The exhibit is located at the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.
"In the American West" exhibition by photographer Richard Avedon first seen at the Amon Carter Museum in 1985 and again today, located in Fort Worth, Texas.
“In the American West” exhibition by photographer Richard Avedon first seen at the Amon Carter Museum in 1985 and again today, located in Fort Worth, Texas.
Richard Avedon's exhibit "In the American West" at the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.
Richard Avedon’s exhibit “In the American West” at the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.
Another photograph by artist Richard Avedon from the "In the American West" exhibit at Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas.
Another photograph by artist Richard Avedon from the “In the American West” exhibit at Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas.

Rachel Davis Mersey, New SMU Provost, Ignites SMU

The new SMU provost is Rachel Davis Mersey at SMU in Highland Park, Dallas, Texas.
The new SMU provost, Rachel Davis Mersey, has brought to SMU a creative combustion of energy, excellence and leadership.

Rachel Davis Mersey, the new SMU provost, has brought to SMU a creative combustion of energy, excellence and leadership. Along with the new SMU president and provost are many new deans and professors building on and creating momentum for SMU, the most exciting university in the country in 2025. There is a contagious atmosphere of excellence. The president’s and provost’s internal outreach to SMU and their outward reach to Dallas have been reassuring and inspiring. We can anticipate SMU will have unparalleled success academically, socially and athletically. SMU is on fire!

Generations

Art shown at the "Generations: 150 Years of Sculpture" exhibit Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, Texas.
The Renzo Piano designed Nasher Sculpture Center beautifully illuminates this “Generations” exhibit. On the far left, you will see the David McManaway piece that you will also see in the next photograph.

The Nasher Sculpture Center reveals a rich collection of pieces in its permanent collection in the exhibit “Generations: 150 Years of Sculpture.” The Nasher is one of the most important sculpture museums in the world owning works by internationally recognized artists like Auguste Rodin and Alberto Giacometti. The Nasher also owns pieces created by Dallas artists David McManaway and Frances Bagley. Raymond and Patsy Nasher had a great eye for art, as have the subsequent directors and curators. One of my favorite things about this museum is the dynamic between the internationally famous artists and local Dallas artists whose work holds up with the best. It makes it even more fun for me when I can see works in the Nasher Sculpture Center by artists like David McManaway and Frances Bagley, who were both friends, neighbors and clients of mine. I have highlighted an assemblage piece by David McManaway titled “Ahab” found in “The Assembled Figure” of the exhibition. I have also included an image of an assemblage piece, not in this exhibition, that David McManaway gave to me one Christmas. Images of the Nasher summary of the exhibition will also be shown describing the art and artists that are seen here.

Artist David McManaway's assemblage piece titled "Ahab" shown at the "Generations: 150 Years of Sculpture" exhibit at the Nasher Sculpture Center in the Dallas Arts District, Dallas, Texas.
David McManaway created “Ahab,” an assemblage piece, that becomes increasingly fascinating as one looks deeper into the layers of the assemblage. From a distance it looks a well-composed piece of modern art. As you move closer, the details and magic emerge.
David McManaway's "Ahab" at the exhibit "Generations: 150 Years of Sculpture" at the Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas, Texas.
Close-up of David McManaway’s “Ahab.” This image allows you to see some of the detail that David McManaway draws, carves, and assembles to bring random discarded objects to life.
A description of "The Assembled Figure" is part of the "Generations: 150 years of Sculpture" exhibit at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, Texas.
“The Assembled Figure” describes how artists in the collection from Paul Gauguin to David McManaway used the assemblage of objects to create a figure.
David McManaway was an influential Tremont Street artist.
This piece, not in the exhibition, is another example of a David McManaway assemblage. While artist David McManaway is best known for his Jomo boards, he would occasionally do a collage piece to be presented on a pedestal. This piece, David McManaway gave to me as a Christmas present, and I have it displayed with a small book that opens up to present a painting of him as a young boy playing with this object.
Exhibit "Generations: 150 Years of Sculpture" at the Nasher Sculpture Center in the Arts District, Dallas, Texas.
The Nasher did a nice job of explaining how the works of art in their collection over 150 years converse with each other. In this exhibition you will see a rich collection of art that expresses similar and different viewpoints in similar and different mediums.
Exhibition "Generations: 150 Years of Sculpture" at the Nasher Sculpture Center in the Dallas Arts District of Dallas, Texas.
Art just looks better at the Nasher Sculpture Center. Here is another view of the “Generations: 150 Years of Sculpture” exhibition.
Exhibit "Generations: 150 Years of Sculpture" at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, Texas, located in the Dallas Arts District.
Here you see different interpretations of the human figure lined up at the Nasher Sculpture Center “Generations” exhibition.

Douglas Newby Moderates ICAA Contractor Panel at the Sebastian Headquarters

Realtor Douglas Newby of Architecturally Significant Homes moderates the ICAA sponsored Sebastian Contractor Panel including John Sebastian, held in Highland Park, Dallas, Texas.
Douglas Newby moderated a panel of prestigious Highland Park and Dallas contractors at the Sebastian headquarters. Panelists included contractors John Sebastian of Sebastian Contractors, Rusty Goff of Goff Custom Homes, John Jarrett of Jarett Construction, and Corey Ford of Tommy Ford Construction.

Mary Peyton Burgher, Texas Coordinator of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, put together a fabulous panel of contractors at an event space provided at the Sebastian headquarters. Panelists included contractors John Sebastian of Sebastian Contractors, Rusty Goff of Goff Custom Homes, John Jarrett of Jarett Construction, and Corey Ford of Tommy Ford Construction. The information they provided was fascinating, and I am sure I learned the most of anyone in the room, made up of architecture patrons and industry specialists.

Attendees of Sebastian Contractor Panel included builders and contractors in Dallas, Texas.
The ICAA members had great fun attending this Contractors’ Panel.
John Sebastian of Sebastian Contractors hosted the contractor panel moderated by Realtor Douglas Newby in Dallas, Texas.
John Sebastian is shown in the delightful Sebastian office space where the contractor panel was held.
Douglas Newby moderates the questions and answers of Sebastian Contractor Panel in Dallas, Texas.
Whitney Pastore of Sebastian giving Douglas Newby directions before the start of the panel. Whitney did a brilliant job helping coordinate the panel.
Contractors and builders attend the Sebastian Contractor Panel in Dallas, Texas.
People beginning to take their seats as the panel was being assembled.
Realtor Douglas Newby moderates the Sebastian Contractor Panel in Dallas, Texas.
Whitney Pastore of Sebastian introduces Douglas Newby before Douglas Newby introduces the panel.
Contractor John Sebastian and Realtor Douglas Newby at the Dallas contractor panel in Dallas, Texas.
Picture of John Sebastian and Douglas Newby at the reception of the ICAA panel.

The Dallas Art Fair in 2025 was One of the Best Ever

Douglas Newby and art collector Alden Pinnell at the 2025 Dallas Art Fair in downtown Dallas' Arts District.
At the preview of Dallas Art Fair, Douglas Newby and Alden Pinnell share some laughs. Alden and his wife also had an opening at their Deep Ellum warehouse exhibition space, Power Station, during the Dallas Art Fair week.

On a beautiful spring day, the Dallas Art Fair can feel very New York with artists, art patrons, and gallerists mingling. The Dallas Art Fair is a combination of three distinct groups of participants. Many of the best Dallas art galleries participate. Many of the best art galleries from around the country participate. And many of the best galleries from around the world participate. It is interesting and beneficial to see how Dallas artists and their Dallas galleries compare with other artists and galleries from around the world.

Debora Hunter, photographer and former SMU professor, takes a break from the Dallas Art Fair in downtown Dallas.
Photographer and former SMU professor Debora Hunter takes a break from the Dallas Art Fair.
From Colorado, Ashley Tatum of Tatum Art Advisory visits the 2025 Dallas Art Fair held downtown in the Arts District of Dallas, Texas.
Ashley Tatum of Tatum Art Advisory in Vail with strong Dallas ties came in to Dallas Art Fair preview and it was fun to catch up.
Ben Arpea is the artist of this piece from Galerie Camille Pouyfaucon seen at the Dallas Art Fair 2025 in the Dallas Arts District in downtown Dallas.
When I saw this painting by a French artist, Ben Arpea, presented by a French gallery, Galerie Camille Pouyfaucon, I immediately called the brilliant and lovely Dominique Gouedard. Dominique worked at the DMA when her husband was relocated by Vinci to Dallas. They departed Dallas when she was appointed UNESCO representative of France to Cambodia. Besides having a Master’s Degree in Museology from the Louvre, she cofounded an art gallery in Paris when she returned to France. When I sent her this picture, it was amazing how quickly she referenced previous and current artists that Arpea was drawing from or was influenced by and other interesting insights. Art fairs have a tendency to generate these sorts of conversations with gallerists and friends.
Art patrons observing the exhibit at the 2025 Dallas Arts Fair in downtown Dallas in the Dallas Arts District.
It was fun to see the occasional family viewing the art along with patrons and art professionals at the Dallas Art Fair.
Art lovers observe collection at the Dallas Arts Fair of 2025 held in the Arts District of downtown Dallas.
Small Pieces with small prices that have a powerful impact are also found at the Dallas Arts Fair 2025.
Artist Alden Pinnell at the Dallas Art Fair in the Arts District of Dallas, Texas.
The energy is vibrant at the Dallas Art Fair when the patron preview begins. Here we see Alden Pinnell at the Dallas Art Fair of 2025.

Tom Orr Goes Public at the Nasher

Artist Tom Orr’s work is seen with exhibition titled “Atlas” at the Nasher Public Window in the Nasher Sculpture Garden in the Dallas, Texas, Arts District.
Tom Orr sculpture at the Nasher Public Window can be seen from the street during the day or night or from inside the gallery during museum hours.
“Atlas” exhibition by artist Tom Orr at the Nasher Public Window in Dallas, Texas, in the Dallas Arts District.
Walking in front of the Nasher, one can see the Tom Orr sculpture through the Nasher Public Window. One can see in this photograph the reflection of inside this gallery space.
At the Nasher Garden Sculpture Center, Tom Orr sculpture is presented in the Nasher Public Window Gallery.
As you enter the front door, you will see this Tom Orr sculpture in the Public Window Gallery that has windows to the street for public viewing.

Artist Tom Orr has delighted us with his sculptures and drawings seen over the years in galleries, museums and public spaces. This July in 2025, you can see the recent sculpture titled “Atlas” in the Nasher Public Window Gallery. One of the best things about the Nasher Sculpture Garden is often you can see the sculptures from the street even before you enter the galleries or the garden. Tom Orr is a perfect artist to have his work displayed in the Nasher Public Window. His work always combines a sense of strength, fragility, and lyrical forms that create a captivating presence.

Artist Tom Orr “In Balance” Exhibition at Barry Whistler Gallery

Photograph of Tom Orr at the “In Balance” exhibition at the Barry Whistler Gallery in the Design District of Dallas, Texas.
Tom Orr seen at the opening of the “In Balance” exhibition shown at the Barry Whistler Gallery.

While Tom Orr was installing his “Atlas” exhibition in the Public Window of the Nasher, a show of his work, “In Balance,” was exhibited at the Barry Whistler Gallery in the Dallas Design District. This exhibition was a wonderful preview of his sculpture seen at the Nasher Sculpture Garden Public Window.

Sculpture by Tom Orr at the Barry Whistler Gallery located in Dallas’ Design District.
Sculpture by Tom Orr seen at the “In Balance” exhibition at the Barry Whistler Gallery.
Artist Tom Orr’s exhibition at the Barry Whistler Gallery in the Design District of Dallas, Texas.
One of Tom Orr’s sculptures at the “In Balance” exhibition seen at the Barry Whistler Gallery.
The exhibition of Tom Orr “In Balance” at the Barry Whistler Gallery in Dallas’ Design District.
Tom Orr sculpture is mounted on a pedestal at the “In Balance” exhibition shown at the Barry Whistler Gallery.
Centered in the photograph, photographer Allison V. Smith at opening of Tom Orr exhibit at the Barry Whistler Gallery in Dallas’ Design District
Photographer Allison V. Smith centered finds a thoughtful corner for conversation while the rest of the gallery is buzzing with art patrons coming to see the work of Tom Orr.
John Reoch visits the Barry Whistler Gallery in the Design District of Dallas for the opening of Tom Orr’s exhibit “In Balance”
During Dallas Art Fair week, John Reoch visits Tom Orr opening at Barry Whistler Gallery in the Design District.
Tom Orr sculpture exhibit “In Balance” shown at the Barry Whistler Gallery located in the Design District of Dallas, Texas
Tom Orr sculpture draws art aficionados that enjoy his work at the Barry Whistler Gallery.

Wilson Fuqua is Star Panelist on Institute of Classical Architecture and Art Panel

Architect Wilson Fuqua was a panelist at the event "Beyond the Gate" held by The Institute of Classical Architecture and Art at 4915 Abbott Avenue in Highland Park, Texas.
Wilson Fuqua is one of the stars on a panel I was asked to moderate by Mary Peyton Burgher, the coordinator of the Texas Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art (ICAA), at the event “Beyond the Gate” held at the historic Highland Park home at 4915 Abbott Avenue.

Joining architect Wilson Fuqua on the panel were his son, Porter Fuqua, AIA; Anthony Catalfano of Anthony Catalfano Interiors, Interior Designer; Ryan Johnson of M.M. Moore Fine Gardens and Masonry, Landscape Designer; and Marcus Taylor of English Heritage Homes, Custom Builder.

The Institute of Classical Architecture and Art has made a major impact on the understanding of building homes, renovating homes, and preserving homes with its series of panels featuring architects, contractors, interior designers, and landscape designers. Those attending included other professionals in the construction and design fields and those who were interested in preservation, architecture and design. I am grateful to Mary Peyton Burgher, the Texas Coordinator of ICAA, for inviting me to moderate the panel. Out of all those in attendance, I might have learned the most.

Texas Chapter of Institute of Classical Architecture and Art event "Beyond the Gate" in Highland Park, Dallas, Texas.
Centered in the suit and tie you will see panelist Marcus Taylor of English Heritage Homes in conversation at the reception before the panel discussion.
Institute of Classical Architecture and Art event "Beyond the Gate" held at 4915 Abbott Avenue in Highland Park, Dallas, Texas.
On the far left is interior designer and panelist Anthony Catalfano speaking to audience member Dallas interior designer Margaret Chambers. On the far right is architect and panelist Porter Fuqua as panel discussion was about to begin in a few minutes.
Douglas Newby moderated the panel at "Beyond the Gate" event held by The Institute of Classical Architecture and Art at 4915 Abbott Avenue, Highland Park, Texas.
The Beyond the Gate panel discussion on the renovation of 4915 Abbott Avenue was about to begin.

Lauren Smyth and Porter Fuqua Represent Generation Shaping Dallas During the First Half of the 21st Century

Highland Park architect Porter Fuqua and commercial real estate attorney Lauren Smyth in Dallas, Texas.
Commercial real estate attorney Lauren Smyth and residential architect Porter Fuqua.

Porter Fuqua is a residential architect who is the son of noted architect Wilson Fuqua, who has designed many important homes and designed the renovation of many architecturally significant homes like the Hal Thomson designed home previously owned by Dan and Cookie Owen. While Wilson has helped shape the aesthetic taste of Highland Park during the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, Porter Fuqua has been helping shape Highland Park and the aesthetic of achievements of Dallas during the 21st century. It is exciting to see Porter Fuqua, who grew up in Highland Park at the architectural knee of his father, now make a great impact on the preservation of architecturally significant homes in Highland Park with his renovation design. He recently wowed the audience as an ICAA panelist discussing the renovation of 4915 Abbott Avenue, in which he was an important contributor. Porter Fuqua has both the talent and background to become a leader in his architectural field and make a great contribution to Highland Park and Dallas through the first half of the 21st century.

Commercial real estate attorney Lauren Smyth represents the type of talent that SMU first attracts to Dallas, in this case Lauren Smyth was raised in Nashville. At SMU, she was a Kappa, a double major, and graduated magna cum laude before she spent a year in France working both in fashion and foreign affairs. She returned to Dallas to attend SMU Law School and now is a key partner at Bradley Law Firm. Lauren Smyth has emerged as an attorney real estate developers and real estate brokers go to in order to make their visions and tentative transactions into a reality. Lauren Smyth is known for her creativity and precision to turn complex questions, leases or operations into simple transactions.

As Dallas increasingly becomes an international city, this generation with global sophistication, talent, aesthetic intelligence, and business acumen is a magnet for other people who want to continue developing Dallas and those moving to Dallas who want to invest in North Texas. Fifty years ago, Dallas was a brash, energetic, optimistic city ready to explode with growth and innovation. This generation, which includes Porter Fuqua and Lauren Smyth, will add additional expertise that will help make Dallas truly an international city and a major city in the center of the United States.

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