Ladies Night

Largest women's art fair in Texas brings 54 artists to Dallas

Vicki Meek

Courtesy photo

Grab your art goggles for a major event coming to Dallas: Called The Vignette Art Fair, it's the largest exhibition of Texas women artists, bringing 54 artists from across the state to Dallas Market Hall October 13-15.

There'll be work in all mediums and styles, available to purchase, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the artist.

A release notes that there are artists from Houston, Austin, San Marcos, College Station, Midland, Fort Worth, and Dallas, representing Texas' racial, cultural, geographic, and ethnic diversity.

This is the fourth edition of the Vignette Art Fair, but the first since the pandemic and the first to be located at the Freeway Hall inside Dallas Market Hall. (The first three were at the former Texas Women’s Museum in Fair Park.)

The 2022 event was curated by Vicki Meek, artist and longtime activist and organizer with ties to organizations such as the Carver Community Cultural Center, Project Row Houses, the African American Museum of Dallas, The Black Arts Festival, and the Dallas Museum of Art.

Texas Vignette president Jessica Ingle says in a statement that Meeks "brings a depth of knowledge and experience to this year's fair that is unprecedented."

"Anyone who’s followed my career knows that an important part of my curatorial practice has been providing exhibition opportunities for women who remain the most underrepresented population in the visual art world," Meek says. "Despite being more than 51 percent of the graduating MFA candidates, women are still finding it difficult to get gallery representation and are still not seeing themselves in museum collections or even in temporary exhibitions. So, Vignette serves a very important purpose and I’m honored to be a small part of that purpose.”

The schedule is as follows:

October 13, 7-9 pm: VIP preview reception at Market Hall, $45.
October 14, 7-9 pm: Opening reception for the public, at Market Hall, free.
October 14-15, 11 am-5 pm: Vignette 2022, at Freeway Hall inside the Dallas Market Hall

Artists include: Catherine Allen, Bennie Flores Ansell, Connie Arismendi, Jessica Baldivieso, Nina Benedetto, Victoria Brill, Janet Chaffee, Anese Eun Cho, Brook-Lynne Clark, Jennifer Cowley, Aliyah Cydonia, Jer'lisa Devezin, Melissa Drumm, Rehab El Sadek, Inyang Essien, Angél Faz, Erica Felicella, Danielle Georgiou, Dr. Valerie Gillespie, Tammy Gomez, Victoria Gomez, Beronica Gonzales, Michelle Gonzales, Maria Haag, Candace Hicks, Marianne Howard, Jimmie Hudson, Ann Johnson, Nitashia Johnson Pat Johnson, Felicia Jordan, Shafagh Kalhori, Hyohyun (Sophie) Lee, Julie Libersat, Solange Mariel, Roberta Masciarelli Tina Medina, Eliana Miranda, Cher Musico, Jacqueline Overby Marcy Palmer, Catherine Prose, Fari Rahimi, Cat Rigdon, Kathy Robinson-Hays Kirupa Sargunaraja Carolyn Sortor, Alison Starr, Erica Stephens, Tabatha Trolli, Leslie Trotter, Marilyn Waligore, and Kim Wasson Eagan.

Texas Vignette is run by an all-volunteer board of directors of women artists and arts professionals. The advisory committee includes Jeremy Strick, Director of the Nasher Sculpture Center; Katherine Brodbeck, senior contemporary curator at the Dallas Museum of Art; and Ken Villalovos, Publisher of Arts + Culture Texas.

Dance News

Dallas Black Dance Theatre makes interim artistic director permanent

Photo by Aleah Pilot

Richard A. Freeman Jr. became the new artistic director October 24, 2025.

Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) has officially named Richard A. Freeman, Jr. as its new artistic director, ushering in a new era of leadership for the dance company as it approaches its 50th anniversary season.

Freeman, a longtime member of the DBDT family, has served as interim artistic director through the company’s recently completed 48th and current 49th seasons. His appointment, effective October 24, 2025, marks a natural progression for the former lead dancer, resident choreographer, and artistic project coordinator, whose career within DBDT spans more than a decade of creative and organizational leadership.

“Richard has been an integral part of Dallas Black Dance Theatre's artistic fabric for years, and his extraordinary leadership during his time as interim artistic director made this decision clear,” says Heidi K. Murray, a member of DBDT’s board of directors, in a release. “His dedication to artistic excellence, his deep understanding of our mission, and his vision for the future of contemporary modern dance make him the ideal person to lead DBDT into this exciting new chapter.”

DBDT founder Ann M. Williams echoed the sentiment, calling Freeman’s appointment a full-circle moment for both artist and company. “Richard embodies everything Dallas Black Dance Theatre stands for: artistry, excellence, and a deep commitment to uplifting our community through dance,” she says in the release. “I have had the privilege of watching him grow from a gifted dancer into an inspiring leader and visionary artist. His dedication to preserving our legacy while boldly charting new artistic territory gives me tremendous confidence in DBDT’s future.”

During his tenure as interim artistic director, Freeman guided DBDT through seasons marked by artistic innovation and expanded community engagement, but also staff shake-ups and legal issues.

In October 2024, accusations of retaliation surfaced after 10 DBDT dancers, its entire main company, were fired following their decision to unionize in May and demand better working conditions. This led to an unprecedented "Do Not Work" order by the American Guild of Musical Artists.

Dallas City Council ultimately voted to withhold $248,000 in city funding due to labor violations, and DBDT later settled for $560,000 with the National Labor Relations Board.

In response, DBDT formed a 17-member advisory stakeholder task force co-chaired by Jennifer Scripps, president and CEO of Downtown Dallas, Inc., and Shawn Williams, vice president of public affairs at Allyn. The group has been working with DBDT leadership to review the organization’s policies and practices, propose changes that foster an accountable environment, and put in place safeguards to prevent future concerns related to talent.

In September 2025, executive director Zenetta Drew announced her retirement after nearly four decades with the company. A national search for her replacement will start in early 2026. Williams retired in 2014.

As artistic director, Freeman will oversee all aspects of DBDT’s artistic operations, from performances to educational initiatives, and continue to expand its reach throughout Dallas and beyond.

“I am deeply honored to accept this role and to continue building on the incredible foundation established by the vision of Ann Williams,” Freeman says. “This company has a unique power to move, inspire, and unite communities through dance. I look forward to working with our talented dancers, staff, and board to create unforgettable artistic experiences and to nurture the next generation of dance artists.”

A native of Washington, D.C., Freeman began his training with the District of Columbia Youth Ensemble and the Washington Ballet before graduating from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Virginia Commonwealth University. His performance credits span acclaimed companies and productions, including Elisa Monte Dance, Houston Grand Opera, Porgy and Bess, and The Wiz.

Freeman’s choreographic works have been featured by leading institutions such as Texas Ballet Theater School, Texas Christian University, and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. He has also shared his expertise through master classes and workshops nationwide, reinforcing his commitment to DBDT’s educational mission.

Founded in 1976, Dallas Black Dance Theatre is the oldest and largest professional dance company in Dallas and one of the most acclaimed Black dance institutions in the U.S.