“Community” was the word of the weekend at this year’s Dallas Art Fair (April 21-24) as art dealers, gallery owners, artists, and enthusiasts alike all flocked to the thriving metropolitan city. EDITION by Modern Luxury helped kick things off, first with The Mark Of Artistry. Part mixer and part art-driven experience in partnership with Maker’s Mark, it took place at the Joule Hotel’s Midnight Rambler.
The event featured works by artist and Maker's Mark ambassador Mariell Guzman (including a custom mural); a conversation with conceptual and performance artist David-Jeremiah and EDITION’s VP of Marketing, Eric Martin Jr.; and custom Maker’s Mark cocktails.
The weekend continued with an “Artist Talk” with rising artist Alexis Pye (whose paintings were presented at the Dallas Art Fair by Inman Gallery) and EDITION’s print managing editor, Bianca Gracie. Held at the Nasher Sculpture Center, the pair discussed equity for POC artists, how moving from her native Detroit to Houston inspires her, and her preference for the oil medium.
“Oils are some of the most expensive [medium] and usually reserved for very photorealistic and poised art. I just like to think that I’m the bowling ball that destroys it all,” Pye explained. “[Using oils] is my way of giving myself that permission to paint in a very gestural way.”
Dallas’ energy was sunny and welcoming, with locals and out of towners engaging in thoughtful conversations that gave insight into the future of the city’s art scene. There was also plenty of time for fun as well, with the weekend culminating in the long-awaited Eye Ball. Last held in 2018, the outdoor party captured the city’s electric feel with apocalypse-themed treats and performances by musicians like Kimbra.
“We want each other to succeed because we’re all in this together. This idea of support, interest, openness, and collaboration is something unique to Dallas,” Cris Worley, a Dallas-based contemporary art dealer, and Dallas Art Fair exhibitor said during “The Roaring ‘20s: Growth of Arts in Dallas” panel. “We can all call each other up and share best practices, which I don’t think you can find in every city. All of these things are setting up a great foundation for Dallas.”