Chair Art in the Park

Artsy chair auction at Klyde Warren Park supports children's advocacy

Need an extra seat? The Business Council for the Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring creativity in the work field, has you covered. And it's a piece of art to boot.

Chair Art in the Park, the BCA's 2013 Leadership Arts Institute class project, was created to celebrate emerging artists and support the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center. The artsy chairs will be on display and up for auction at Klyde Warren Park on Saturday, May 11.

Students in grades 6-12 from schools throughout Dallas — including Hockaday, Lakehill, Kip Truth Academy, North Hills Preparatory, Parkhill Junior High, J.L. Long Middle School and more — were asked to submit designs for the contest. The 44 entries range in style and material, but they all showcase extreme talent.

Awards will be given to the best overall, as well as first and second place from both middle school and high school divisions. Our bets are on the Question Mark, created by 7th graders Dylan Choate and Maxime Pincemin-Johnstone; the Rock & Roll chair created by 8th graders Andrew Reyna, Felipe Dominguez, Emmanuel Ramirez and Israel Resendiz; and the untitled splatter-painted mod chair by 7th grader Micheal Green.

"We are very proud of the Leadership Arts Class of 2013 and their choice to promote young artists in one of Dallas' most exciting new public spaces, one that bridges the Arts District with Uptown, Klyde Warren Park,” said Katherine Wagner, CEO of BCA. “We are particularly excited about how this group has worked together to benefit art therapy programs at DCAC."

Proceeds from the silent and live auction will go to DCAC and its efforts to put an end to child abuse via investigating cases, providing therapy for child victims, and prosecuting offenders with the help of specialized professionals.

"Projects like Chair Art in the Park support our mission to help bring together people from across the Metroplex to enjoy art in the heart of our city," said Celia Barshop, vice president of business affairs of the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation.

If you can't squeeze any more chairs into your abode, donations are happily accepted here. Otherwise, we'll see you on the field by the silent auction between 11 am and 5:15 pm.

Stick around for the award presentation and live auction, which begin at 4 pm. But, please, no sitting on the art.

Rock & Roll chair.

Photo courtesy of Chair Art in the Park

Rock & Roll chair.

unspecified

Hiring News

Addison hires arts veteran as manager of performing arts center

Photo courtesy of Town of Addison

It's time to change the signs.

The Town of Addison has named a new leader for its performing arts center, the building formerly known as the Addison Conference and Theatre Centre.

It's now called The Addison Performing Arts Centre and the new manager is Nichole Belford, who "brings to Addison a wealth of experience and accomplishments with the arts around programming, policies, and advocacy," says a release.

Belford most recently served as senior manager of external relations for the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission for three years, but she's a familiar local name: Prior to working in St. Louis, she spent more than 20 years in the DFW arts, entertainment, and sports scenes.

She helped open institutions such as the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall, the American Airlines Center, and the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts. She has managed more than 5,000 events and spearheaded branding initiatives for tourism.

Belford earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Texas Wesleyan University and later obtained a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Texas at Dallas.

“With Nichole’s extensive knowledge and experience in administration, event management, and public policy, we’re excited for her to help lead The Addison Performing Arts Centre into its next phase of activation,” says Addison's special events and theater director Abby Morales in a statement.

Belford grew up in a military family, born in Sögel, Germany, where she spent her early years before moving to the United States. A sports enthusiast who loves the U.S. Olympic teams, she serves as a judge for U.S. Figure Skating. One of her recent accomplishments was helping the St. Louis Sports Commission secure the bid to host the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Olympic Trials.

“I can’t wait to bring new excitement to The Addison, in terms of both the type of productions we bring to the theater and the top-tier service I expect the Addison Performing Arts Centre to provide,” Belford says.

The public has the chance to meet Belford and other staff of The Addison at a show & share event from 4 to 6 pm February 13, which coincides with the opening night of Phantom: In Concert. Guests will have the opportunity to see the front-of-house spaces in the facility and the Atelier outdoor courtyard space, as well as hear remarks by Addison Mayor Bruce Arfsten. To RSVP, email specialeventsinfo@addisontx.gov.

In September 2024, WaterTower Theatre cited a new budget plan from the Town of Addison for its drastically scaled-down usage of the building, which it had inhabited for many years. WTT recently formed a partnership with the Dallas College Brookhaven Campus to use its theater for summer musicals.

Photo courtesy of Town of Addison

It's time to change the signs.

addison addison performing arts centre theater