Tremont Artist
James Surls is a Texas artist with a national platform, with work in several New York museums and others across the country. I, too, have seen his work in many of these museums and love his current show, James Surls: From the Old Growth, at Passage Arts @passageartsdallas
However, my thoughts and admiration of James Surls the artist will always return to Tremont in Munger Place.
Munger Place was identified by the city as the worst neighborhood in Dallas—as a result, the perfect environment for an artist like James, who was teaching at SMU. James was a creative force and a magnet for other artists and art patrons.
James introduced me to Munger Place and Tremont, where I bought a home down the street from him with his encouragement.
This gave me a front-row seat to artists including David McManaway, David Bates, Dan Rizzie, John Alexander, and Roy Fridge. Roy lived in my garage apartment. A dozen other artists lived on Tremont or around the corner, including Frances Bagley.
The “Tremont artists” could be considered a school, or at least a major influence on Dallas and Texas art. There is an inevitable cross-pollination of ideas when so many artists live on a block or two with an open-door policy to their homes and studios. I was at James’s house when the idea of an art gallery for women first came up, which became DW Gallery.
Artists generated an excitement and vibe that attracted urban pioneers. James did this when Swiss Avenue still had only a handful of urban pioneers.
From James I learned about art. I learned about ideas. I learned about the momentum and energy someone can create with their vision and persistence.
I recall when James sold his first chainsaw-carved small, long, low table for $500. His current show has a large piece offered for sale at $500,000. Just as the prices of James Surls’s work have gone up 100 times, the prices of houses in Munger Place that he first discovered have gone up 100 times.
James Surls is a visionary and creator. Thank you, James. @jamessurls
845 S. Trunk Ave.-Kirk Hopper’s renovated 1919 industrial warehouse.Through April 17
#JamesSurls #MungerPlace #DallasArt #TexasArt #PassageArts