It’s A New Art Season in Dallas – January 2020

featured image: Marjorie Norman Schwarz, untitled, 2020, water soluble oil on canvas, 36 x 20 inches

I am plotting out the gallery openings I plan to visit on January the 11th and I hope you will join me in seeing these new shows this weekend. A lot of these spaces are the usual suspects, but these galleries have a good track record in launching strong and thoughtful shows. However, Gallery 12.26 is a newcomer to the Dallas art scene and I want to make you aware of their program because I had the chance to talk with the gallery’s two owners last month.

Gallery 12.26  had its first opening in September, so they are relatively new. So far they are doing a two-month rotation for launching exhibitions. From my conversation with the co-founders Hannah Fagadau and Hilary Fagadau, I learned that they have a focus on the international art market. Their move to Dallas is because the city has become a noteworthy hub for global art through the Dallas Art Fair and several important art museums in the DFW area. They have a large enough space for three shows. The gallery will feature works by Molly Larkey, Joel Murray, and Marjorie Schwarz. I am assuming each will be featured in a different room of the gallery.

One Time Mind, 2019 oil on canvas 36h x 24w

Cris Worley has a favorite artist of mine on display this weekend. An unsung hero of abstraction, Trey Egen stays consistent with his colors and brushstrokes.  I feel like I am part of a piece of music when I am in front of his paintings. I find it easy to get lost in the movement of his painted gestures. I also look forward to experiencing the work of Kelli Vance and her realistic renderings. Just the press release alone makes me glad I will get to see this show.

Rachel Hellmann - Bisect, 2019Acrylic on poplar wood36 x 30 x 9 in

Galleri Urbane features the economy of line and forms through the works of Heath West and Rachel Hellman. I look forward to seeing the architectural paintings in the simplest of representation through West’s work. Although, these might be slightly more dense than the last exhibit. I expect Hellman to wow me with color and simple forms. Even the flat pieces feel folded. 

Jules Buck Jones, Birds of America, 2019, ink & graphite on paper, installation image

Conduit will be packed with people because Jules Buck Jones has a show. Packed with renderings of the natural world, Jones immerses you in a forest with a unique style of depicting animals. Susan Barnett and Matt Clark will also fill out the gallery spaces. Both are taking on abstraction with very different approaches. 

Sarah Williams, Colfax Road, Oil on panel, 16 x 20 inches, image courtesy of the artist and Talley Dunn Gallery
If I have time to go outside the Design District, I will have a real quandary. Should I visit 500X opening near Fair Park, go midtown to Talley Dunn for a show by Sarah Williams and her rural paintings, or go all the way to Valley House Gallery? 500x will have three shows featuring four artists. Maybe I will just try to make all three. I hope to see you out there in and among the art scene in Dallas. Most gallery opening receptions are from 6 to 9, but these galleries will be open by noon. So take a quick peek during the day if you can’t do the openings.

author: Todd Camplin

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