Dallasites bundled up and braved the cold and drizzle Saturday night for Art Con X, which took over the warehouse at 500 Singleton Blvd. near Trinity Groves. The 10th iteration of this popular music-filled art auction was not only a chance to score a piece of original art for a song, but also an opportunity to fill the coffers at Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico, this year’s beneficiary.
Most of the action took place indoors, of course, where 18-by-18-inch works from 150-plus artists — including Alison Jardine, Jason Janik, Corey Godrey, and teen (and eight-year alumna) Kate “K8” Langley — were auctioned off to the highest bidders. Hardworking auctioneers — including Reid Robinson, Rawlins Gilliland and Rob Shearer — always do their part to inspire the crowd to spend.
A piece from Hobbes Vincent was the big-ticket item this time around, raking in $2,200. Vincent’s work also was the top bid-getter at Art Con’s summertime event, Wrecked, BTW.
Music from Booty Fade, Son of Stan, Happy Bullets and DJ CeePee complemented the artwork and helped keep everyone’s minds off the cold. Folks did have to venture outside for some vittles, and food trucks Samson’s Gourmet Hot Dogs, Easy Sliders and more were happy to help fill their bellies. Back inside, they could hide out and have fun in the photo booth.
Weather be damned, local artists created works onsite, one of the trademark activities of Art Con. Attendees — including Lauren Hamm, Cyrus Keefer, John Weidenfeller, Terri Symonds, Art Con board member emeritus Cari Weinberg, Nicole Cullum Horn, Jeff Miller, Ruth Griggs and Kellee Bascher — also could see who benefited from their generosity, because adorable kids from Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico were there, dressed proudly in their colorful costumes.
Art Conspiracy has been organizing artist-led events since 2005. Its mission is to inspire Dallas’ art and music scenes to join forces for the benefit of local nonprofit arts organizations that offer creative programming in the form of art or music that gives back to youth, families and citizens of Dallas. In the last 10 years, it has raised more than $250,000.
Cassie MacGregor, Rob Shearer
