Spirit of Dallas

When one thinks about a city- artists, writers, poets, architects, critics, academics, and art enthusiasts come to mind. Salons, studios, galleries, talks, readings also come to mind. In contrast, Dallas is often perceived as a slicker city where finance trumps fashion and corporate headquarters trump collective gatherings, and sport trumps art. Scratch this glossy view of Dallas and one finds culture, street and high fashion, all deeply and intimately imbedded in Dallas. It has been this way for almost 100 years, from the early gathering in the 1930’s that included architects like O’Neil Ford and society writer Margaret McDermott, to the Art Happenings in the 1960’s, to the parties hosted by James Surls and the Tremont Artists in the 1970’s. In the 1980’s, Dee Mitchell and a couple of his friends began a New Year’s Day celebration that became a tradition every year including this year, January 1, 2019. One walks into this party to start the year and is exhilarated by the setting of a Ron Wommack architect-designed home in a hidden part of Old East Dallas overlooking the Santa Fe bike trail. The space is filled with guests that range from edgy artists in their 20’s to equally edgy artists that might be characterized as seasoned. While many people on New Year’s Day are cheering on their favorite football team playing in bowl games, here I find myself cheering Dallas. What fun it is to see cultural icons from the 1960’s to the present. Artists that came to Dallas from around the world, gallery owners, art patrons, architects, writers, photographers, tastemakers, and those that add cultural vibrancy to the city. Every year the party is fresh and evolves. Every guest is welcome to extend an invitation to their friends. The result is a diverse group with a passion for art and culture. Even better than a New Year’s resolution is a reminder that it will be a better year if we are thinking about art.
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