Art Scene
Hipsters, hippies and artists flock to eighth annual Art Conspiracy
- Photo by Robert Bostick
- Photo by Robert Bostick
- Attendees admired the works of art before the auctions began.Photo by Robert Bostick
- Live auction action.Photo by Robert Bostick
- Girls Rock Dallas performed as the opening act at Art Con.Photo by Robert Bostick
- Guests lined up at food trucks.Photo by Robert Bostick
- Photo by Robert Bostick
- Photo by Robert Bostick
- Guest got creative with drawings on the Art & Seek chalkboard.Photo by Robert Bostick
- Photo by Robert Bostick
- Photo by Robert Bostick
We spotted a crowd of hipsters, hippies, artists and super cool dudes during the eighth annual Art Con. The scenesters' dream took place at a warehouse on Dragon Street in the Design District.
The art- and music-filled fete supports Art Conspiracy, a nonprofit that funds other art-focused organizations. But this year's event raised money for Girls Rock Dallas — a camp to empower women through music — and W.T. White Academy for Visual and Performing Arts ceramics program.
A week before Art Con, more than 120 local artists (chosen through a lottery system) came together to create masterpieces on an 18-by-18-inch plywood board for the night of live auctions.
After anticipating the main attraction — and waiting in the entrance line — guests including Chad Houser, Kristen DeRocha, Rachael Cole, Alvah and Meadow Stahlneckeon, Angela and John Rawlings, and Roksolana Karma indulged in beer, music and a whole lot of art.
Outside, food trucks such as Nammi, The Butcher's Son and Cajun Tailgaters sated the palates of bidders hungry from the pandemonium of the packed space and loud bidding.
Inside, the hipster-chic and funky folk got close to the art — for viewing and admiring — before the bidding began. Artists who didn't get to make a piece for the auction still had the opportunity to get creative on the giant chalkboard named Art & Seek.
Throughout the night, three local bands — Blackstone Rangers, Daniel Hart and Burning Hotels — performed as attendees flooded the space and soaked in the excitement of the night.
If this is what executive directors Erik Glissmann and Todd Macaulay and board president Cari Weinberg call a conspiracy, we totally buy into it.