Fort Worth Art FAir
The inaugural Fort Worth Art Fair will feature 7+ art galleries over 4 days and lots of local music acts sprinkled throughout. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the galleries whose Art and Artists will be at the heart of the fair on view:
artist: Shelli Tollman
This gallery departed from its original Austin home and boldly re-established itself in Sundance Square last year, right in the middle of the COVID pandemic. Filling their new space is a stunning mix of rustic and contemporary art that gives art collectors a little bit of Texas, a whole lot of Rock ‘n Roll, and is seeing great success. The owner and namesake, Bale Creek Allen, now lives outside of Fort Worth and has created the kind of buzz that only a seasoned art dealer can achieve with such apparent ease. Bale is an artist himself, and shows his own work at the gallery, along with skillfully curated collections from other top artists. He says that he prefers to work with living artists that create timeless works, eschewing pop-art for generational creations and their creations.
Bale says that when it comes to collecting, “You should look for work that has a strong voice and is one that moves you. Find artwork that you’re passionate about and love.” Should you get a chance to meet Bale, you will find that he immediately makes you feel welcome, like an old friend. If there’s something particular that you are looking for, he will point you in the right direction, and probably give you some sage advice along the way!
*FYI, this is a very talented family indeed. Bale’s father is Terry Allen, the accomplished singer/songwriter based in Austin, and Bale’s son, Calder Allen, is an accomplished musician who will be performing on the Sundance Square stage during the Fair, so be sure not to miss him!
artist: AHK
Jay Wilkinson’s gallery and personal studio space, Dang Good Candy, is located next door to the Bale Creek Allen Gallery, so be sure to make this your next stop.
His space is an intentionally raw, stripped-down version of a traditional gallery that gives upcoming and ‘buzzworthy’ artists an opportunity to show their works. that otherwise might not get a chance. The rough around the edges vibe is appreciated, but don’t get me wrong, the artists that Jay chooses to show are stellar & their pieces typically sell out during the run of their show for a good reason.
Dang Good Candy has artwork with a variety of price points, and they plan to offer prints during the Fair, so anyone can find a piece here that fits their budget! Jay says the vibe is, “a little fringy, a little annoying and exciting at the same time.” I couldn’t have said it better! If you aren’t aware, Jay is an accomplished artist that has murals all over town and his celebrated oil paintings hang in private homes around the country. Even the image pasted on the Sundance Pavilion of a man with a surgical mask is Jay’s creation.
Jay is kind and approachable and is an absolute hoot to be around. He says that once you start collecting art, it can be addicting. For those new to the art world, Wilkinson suggests buying something “that you love to look at. Something that’s weird and small” to start your collection, because it can change your life!
artist: Rapheal Crump
This gallery is located in Dallas and is owned by husband and wife team, Dr. Valerie Gillespie & Mr. Emanuelle Gillespie. They have a beautiful two-story space and show work from emerging artists, established artists and people within their community.
The couple have been teaching for a combined 40 years together and are driven to inspire the young creators of tomorrow. They are passionately involved in their gallery, and offer art classes as well. Both are interested in supporting the younger generations and giving them a space to shine. They are always looking to meet new people who share in the philosophy, “Art is going to save the world”.
The exhibits at the gallery vary, but all the artwork that is shown has a beautiful space to breathe and live while waiting for its forever home. Pencil on Paper will be showing many talented artists, like Jeremy Biggers and Raphael Crump at the fair.
Valerie tells me that she is super-excited to be a part of the Fort Worth Art Fair and is thrilled to see the Dallas and Fort Worth art communities merging. She also pointed out that if you find a piece you love, and the price tag is a bit steep for your budget, Pencil on Paper offers an interest free payment plan through a service called Art Money, so be sure to keep that in mind when you’re perusing their space while you’re at the fair.
artist: Nancy Lamb
This Fort Worth based gallery was opened in 1980 by twin brothers Dan and Dennis Blagg. The gallery features a variety of artwork styles, but traditionally has been known for its Western themes and its large collection of majestic landscape paintings. They also happen to represent our local celebrity artist, Nancy Lamb, so be sure to stop by to get a peek at her work!
In addition, Artspace 111 owner Margery Gossett & gallery manager Ariel Davis just opened a new gallery down the street from the Fort Worth Art Fair called, Love Texas Art. It’s the newest gallery in town (the Grand Opening was just last week!), but it is clear from the moment you enter that this is not their first rodeo. In a stylistic departure from their flagship location, this ‘sister-gallery’ shows a lot of well-curated, contemporary art. As a bonus, their new space also has a lovely shop and lounge spaces to relax.
Margery and Ariel are looking forward to the fair because “you will get to see so many Fort Worth artists in one area and get the chance to talk with them directly.” Ariel says, “There’s going to be a lot of accessibility with the Fort Worth Art Fair” and Margery states that, “art is important because it’s a reflection of our community. It makes us ask questions, it challenges us and brings beauty to our lives”.
We certainly look forward to seeing the work that Artspace 111 brings to the Fair and we’re excited to check out their new gallery down the street too!
artist: Lance Letscher
One of the largest printmaking companies in Texas will be present at the Fort Worth Art Fair. Established in 1989, Flatbed has long been known as a welcoming and inviting place for artists that didn’t have any print making experience. More than serving as just a helping hand and a place where artists can “learn the ropes” about making their work, Flatbed says they’ve found it offers a great collaboration opportunity for them and the artists they work with. In fact, many of the Dallas/Ft. Worth artists that have worked with Flatbed and will be showing during the Fair.
The variety of styles afforded to artists working with Flatbed are vast: etching, lithographs, wood cuts and mono prints to name a few. The owner, Katherine Brimberry, informs me that they don’t do any reproductions, and that artists are encouraged to come and work directly at the facility in Austin. If they can’t do that, they give them the means to work from the same matrix offered at Flatbed.
They will be bringing a variety of art to the Fair by artists represented by other galleries in Fort Worth, like Judy Youngblood from William Campbell Gallery. Katherine encourages art fair attendees to talk to the gallery owners and creators whenever they can. Find out what medium they use and why. She wants to engage with collectors about the work and help you find that unique piece, “that the collector is going to get so much pleasure from in the future”.
Flatbed is looking forward to being a part of the FWAF, as Katherine sees this as an opportunity for commercial galleries to participate on a different level. She says, “it’s a great opportunity get work out there that they don’t normally have the chance to show.”
artist: Jennifer Cowley
This gallery is located in West Dallas and is the first black woman-owned contemporary art gallery to open in over 30 years. The owner, Daisha Board, is focused on representing BIPOC artists, LGBTQIA, and artists with disabilities.
All of the artwork Daisha shows is original work. She is passionate about supporting living, local artists in order give them an opportunity for people to see and to acquire their work. She says, “Art is for everyone, and I want everyone to have an opportunity to see these amazing artists and invest in their careers now.”
One thing Daisha recommends is to get a “certificate of authenticity” when you purchase an original work. Make sure you ask for a record that is signed and dated by the artist and the gallery, so that you can add the artwork to your insurance and have the proper protection for your portfolio.
Daisha says she is supportive of all artists, but especially wants to show the work of people that are marginalized. Her goal is to share the work and the artists’ narratives so that hopefully we can change some of the stigmas out there.
artist: Sarah Ayala
This Fort Worth based Art Collective is the only one of its kind showing at the Fair. Shasta Haubrich, the curator and Director of Art Tooth, states that this artist-run collective works to create partnerships with businesses, galleries, and museums throughout the city. She feels that art is important to show because, ultimately someone is going to connect with it.
Shasta works with a lot of different artists, at varying stages of their art career, and from a wide variety of mediums. She says people need ways to express what’s in their mind, and sometimes that can’t be expressed with words or movies or books. “Literally, the first way cavemen expressed what was in their mind was though drawing”.
Shasta tells me, “You don’t have to be educated about art in order to ‘get it’. It’s important to know that if you like something, then you should buy what is important to you, not what someone else said you should collect”.
Art Tooth recently hosted a large “party bus” that made stops at multiple galleries during Fort Worth’s Spring Gallery Night, which allowed roughly 60 guests to see a ton of new art and get to meet other art lovers! (Read the overview here). Don’t get FOMO because they also host a bus during Fall Gallery Night, so be sure follow them for future details!
During the four-day event, Art Tooth is going to show a lot of different artists and are excited to share the work of many talented Fort Worth artists that you might not even know about yet. Shasta and Art Tooth are really looking forward to being a part of this inaugural FWAF!
There you go, folks. I’ve given you the Scoop on the seven galleries (and the gallerists behind them) that will be featured during the Fort Worth Art Fair. Now its up to you to get down to Sundance Square and check them out!
