Party of the Decade

Artists and patrons collide at knockout Nasher Xchange opening party

More than 250 arts-minded Dallasites gathered in The Joule’s Mosaic ballroom to commemorate the opening of Nasher Xchange, the first citywide art exhibition held in conjunction with the Nasher Sculpture Center’s 10th anniversary. The setting was apropos, as it overlooked the twinkling lights of downtown Dallas.

The evening began with a spirited champagne reception, followed by a three-course seated dinner. Joining arts patrons — including Cindy and Howard Rachofsky, Marguerite Hoffman, Christen and Derek Wilson, Christina Rees, Richard Patterson, Kelli and Allen Questrom, Jennifer and John Eagle, Janelle and Alden Pinnell, Anna-Sophia van Zweden, Christie Sheffield, Barry Whistler, Allison V. Smith, and Margaret McDermott — were the local, national and international artists of Xchange, whose works are represented in 10 diverse sites around Dallas.

Nancy Nasher, owner of NorthPark Center and daughter of Raymond and Patsy Nasher, welcomed guests warmly and spoke of continuing her parents’ legacy of making outstanding art accessible to the public. Mayor Mike Rawlings followed and joked about the flood of traffic in the Arts District as throngs of people headed to Aurora 2013.

“I don’t know whether to call the mayor and complain about the traffic or pat him on the back,” Rawlings quipped.

Nasher director Jeremy Strick offered his sincerest thanks to the museum personnel and artists who made the Xchange program possible. The projects range from a “virtual” fountain aimed at raising funds for important Dallas charities to a colorful pier installed at Fish Trap Lake, adjacent to La Reunion, the 1850s utopian community that reaches back to Dallas’ earliest roots.

Information about these pieces, as well as a complete list of artists and all 10 Xchange sites, can be found online or by downloading a free app. The works are on display until February 16, 2014.

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