Wednesday, December 26, 2007

The 2007 Dallas-Fort Worth arts in review

By Laura Seewoester

Photo by Laura Seewoester

Gunther von Hagens, posing with one of his plastinated bodies at the Body Worlds exhibit.

The DFW art scene saw many changes in 2007, both great and bittersweet. Here are a few of the larger impacts Dallas museums and galleries have felt over the past 12 months.

• The art world lost the great Raymond Nasher in March of '07. Nasher was responsible for giving Dallas such treasures as NorthPark Center and the Nasher Sculpture Center. His legacy will long be remembered in Dallas and throughout the national and international art community.
• Gunther von Hagens brought in 2007 with a visit to Dallas at the Museum of Nature and Science with his creation, Body Worlds.
• The Dallas Video Festival celebrated its 20th anniversary with loads of screenings and special events at Kettle Art, All Good Cafe, and Road Agent.
• The second half of the Deep Ellum tunnel was finally filled in (insert frowny face). To try to make amends with the artists in Deep Ellum for filling in the coveted tunnel, DART dedicated $500,000 to build the Deep Ellum Gateway Project, which will act like an "art walk" between the DART Station and Deep Ellum.
• The Dallas Museum of Art has had a few personnel changeroos. Jack Lane retired as director (with Bonnie Pitman taking his place), and curator Dorothy Kosinski announced her plans to move to Washington, D.C. to work with The Phillips Collection.

Photo by Laura Evans

Ross Plaza Avenue @ the Dallas Museum of Art

• The Kimbell Art Museum also lost their art director, Dr. Timothy Potts. Potts resigned after a nine year tenure as museum director. Malcolm Warner (previously senior curator at the Kimbell) took his place.
• In 2007, the Dallas Museum of Art reached historic attendance, due to some of their major exhibits and programs. Hats off to the DMA for continuing to garner, and maintain, the public's interest in art.
• Kenny Goss and George Michael revamped the former Goss Gallery to the Goss-Michael Foundation, consisting of works from their personal collection. The new foundation aims to inspire emerging artists and educate the public on British contemporary art.
• And last, but not least, the artwork of Frank Campagna disappeared from the walls of Deep Ellum with the closing of the Gypsy Tea Room, only to reappear on the walls of the House of Blues. But don't be sad, murals still adorn the walls of Deep Ellum after the Re*Cov*Er mural competition last October.

"The arts are a major force in the growth and development of our global business world. Through the arts, people learn creativity and innovation. The partnership between the arts and business improves not only economic development but also the social fabric and enlightenment of society." Ray Nasher

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