Art Fair Insider's Guide

An insider's guide to the best events surrounding Dallas Art Fair 2015

Anchored by the Dallas Art Fair (April 10-12 at Fashion Industry Gallery), Dallas Arts Week has risen to a level of prominence so high sites such as Artsy.com feel compelled to devote a thousand words to its influence. (Even if they do consider our fair city’s scene “disproportionate” in its impact — we beg to disagree.)

The truth of the matter is, the high-profile happenings surrounding the fair have trickled down into the indie arts scene, and there are more must-see shows both on and off the official roster than ever before. Beyond Thursday’s Preview Gala, Friday’s MTV RE:DEFINE and Saturday’s Art Ball — and, yes, the fair itself and the major museum exhibitions — here is an easy-to-follow guide of some of the best events.

Wednesday, April 8

Available to view with a Patron Pass, the Power Station’s Die Schmutzigen Puppen Von Pommern by Jos de Gruyter and Harald Thys features oversized puppets with a distinct outsider art edge, although they are technically the descendants of an executioner family in 12th century Pomerania, in case you were curious. These Belgian artists’ deadpan works will be on view through June 12 for those who can’t make it out to Wednesday’s 7 to 9 pm opening soiree.

If there weren’t enough reasons to visit the Dallas Contemporary for Wednesday’s opening (David Salle, Nate Lowman and ArtPrize winner Anila Quayyum Agha among them), the Los Angeles-based duo Friends With You is bringing their large-scale experiential symbol of light and connectivity to the museum through Sunday. Known for their super-sweet if slightly twee canvases, sculptures and installations, Friends With You’s Light Cave is sure to put a smile on every fairgoer’s face.

Thursday, April 9

As a prelude to the much-anticipated Soluna Festival, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra hosts the musical installation de-finition/method listening to painting / looking at music by French artist Claude Rutault, beginning at 2 pm at the Meyerson Symphony Center. Rutault’s highly conceptual pieces transform the wall into the artwork, and the unveiling of this ambitious marriage between sound and vision shouldn’t be missed.

Friday, April 10

Photographer Hunter Barnes, who splits his time between rural Oregon and New York City, gets by with a little help from his friends — namely supermodel Erin Wasson and V.O.D. owner Jackie Bolin. These two have convinced their pal to bring works from his “Redneck Roundup” series to Bolin’s fashion-forward Victory Park boutique for an opening from 5 to 7 pm.

Saturday, April 11

For those that didn’t score admission to the Art Ball (or the Wasson and Bolin-hosted after party DJed by Solange), there are a few consolation prizes. The spirit of New York’s Lower East Side is taking over the Cedars, with a host of young gallerists showing envelope-pushing work.

Patrons can kick off the evening with a 5:30 champagne toast for Chivas Clem at Erin Cluley’s space on the other side of the bridge. Next, New York’s Peter Makebish has teamed up with RE Gallery’s Wanda Dye for a satellite show from 6 to 9 pm at 1505 Gano St. Houston, Dallas and New York-based artists on view include Chris Bexar, Christopher Deeton, Alika Herreshoff, Geoff Hippenstiel, Chris Kysor, Max Snow and Benjamin Terry.

RE also will unveil a temporary installation by Houston artist Falon Land Studio across from its main space. Next door, Homeland Security hosts a collaborative show with the Milwaukee-based experimental space American Fantasy Classics.

Also from 6 to 9 pm is And Now’s one-man show with paintings and sculptures from the former “bad boy of New York art” Dan Colen, who has exhibited at the Whitney, PS1 Contemporary Art Center and the Brandt Foundation Art Study Center. His beauty-is-trash aesthetic is sure to be even more impactful in And Now’s intimate space.

Finally — for anyone who can stay out that late — the evening’s after-after party, with hosts Wasson, Samantha McCurdy and David Quadrini, is taking over artist McCurdy’s That That space in Deep Ellum into the wee hours.

Sunday, April 12

If you were lucky enough to score an invite to last year’s Eye Ball at The Joule, you know that artist Tony Tasset’s iconic sculpture surrounded by the best and brightest art world denizens made for some enchanted evening. This year’s event closes out the week and promises to draw an equally stellar list of boldfaced names to see Leon Bridges and Quaker City Night Hawks perform under the stars.

Friends With You's Light Cave is on display at the Dallas Contemporary April 8-12.

Photo by Alyssa Ringler

Friends With You's Light Cave is on display at the Dallas Contemporary April 8-12.

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Music and Fashion

Miranda Lambert's 'Velvet Rodeo' wardrobe stars in new DFW exhibition

“Miranda Lambert: Velvet Rodeo” at National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame

Photo by Tyler Conrad

“Miranda Lambert: Velvet Rodeo” will open on November 7 at the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame.

Country star Miranda Lambert is bringing a bit of Las Vegas glamour and bling to North Texas. Her one-of-a-kind wardrobe from her "Velvet Rodeo" residency will go on display at the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame in Fort Worth when its new Icons Gallery opens November 7.

According to a release, the exhibition, called "Miranda Lambert: Velvet Rodeo," was created in collaboration with Lambert, and will feature costumes from the singer's Las Vegas residency, which ran from September 2022 to April 2024.

Lambert said her inspiration came from an earlier visit to the Fort Worth museum, where she spotted historic Western pieces that she photographed and sent to her stylist, Tiffany Gifford. They combined those influences with the glitz of Elvis Presley's heyday to create the "Velvet Rodeo" wardrobe.

“Seeing these pieces now have a life beyond the stage as part of the Museum’s new Icons Gallery feels really full circle and special,” Lambert said in a statement.

Visitors will now have the opportunity to study garments usually seen in motion and under stage lights, appreciating the details that help transform clothing into an essential part of a performance.

The Icons Gallery is part of the Museum’s 16,000-square-foot expansion, which introduces new galleries and experiences that explore the accomplishments and influence of women of the West. The $19 million expansion features a new entrance facing Dickies Arena, new galleries including a photography gallery, an event space accommodating up to 250, and the new Cowgirl Carousel.

Miranda Lambert, right, with rodeo queens onstage at the 45th Cowgirl Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon at Dickies Arena. Photo by Ashley Gongora

Lambert, who was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 2021, is an active mounted shooting competitor and horsewoman, giving her a connection to the West that reaches beyond her music. "Velvet Rodeo" brings together Lambert's identity as a cowgirl and her creative expression as a performer.

“Miranda’s confidence, determination and independence make her a wonderful representative of the women we honor,” says Pat Riley, executive director of the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame, in the release. “Opening our Icons Gallery with this collaboration celebrates her accomplishments while giving visitors a new way to connect with a cowgirl they know and admire.”

According to a museum spokesperson, the temporary exhibition will remain on display for at least one year; no specific end date was given.

In preparation for the expansion grand opening, the Cowgirl will be closed to the public beginning October 19 and will reopen November 7, with a members-only preview at 10 am and a public opening at noon.

celebrities country music exhibitions-visual-arts fashion miranda lambert museums music national cowgirl museum temporary exhibition