all images © 2006 Edward M. Baum all rights reserved.
Dallas Contemporary Purchases New Home at 161 Glass St.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Catharine Flagg
The Buzzell Company
214/219-9191 office
DALLAS CONTEMPORARY PURCHASES NEW HOME
NEAR TRINITY RIVERFRONT AND DALLAS DESIGN DISTRICT
DALLAS (July 3, 2007) - A 1950's-era sheet metal plant will be transformed into a new home for Dallas Contemporary www.thecontemporary.net , art space officials announced today. The plant, located at 161 Glass Street, just off Industrial Boulevard, was purchased by the Dallas Contemporary in the first phase of a campaign to move the art space from its current location in the Wilson Historic District.
"Dallas Contemporary is an important incubator for new artists and new ideas, complementing missions of the more conventional museums by making sure Dallas, like every great city, always stays in tune with emerging trends in the art world," said Tom Lind, board president, Dallas Contemporary. "With the new Dallas Contemporary as its centerpiece, this section of the Trinity Riverfront could grow into Dallas’ version of Manhattan’s Soho and Chelsea gallery districts.
National award-winning architect Edward Baum, former dean of the School of Architecture at the University of Texas, Arlington, will oversee conversion of the old building, taking the structure from one that housed metal fabricators and sprinkler manufacturers to a modern art center. The space will be converted to showcase exhibitions, both indoor and out, offices for the gallery staff, rooms for educational programs, and an artist-in-residence studio. The new art space will be housed in 12,000 square feet. The additional 24,000 square feet will be leased to design-related businesses.
"This is a great building, and as an architect, Edward Baum really understands what Dallas Contemporary is trying to do," said donor and building committee advisor Dan Boeckman, partner, Museum Tower. "His design takes advantage of this distinctly urban space, capturing the spirit of the neighborhood, yet keeping the whole project within a budget that's realistic for a relatively young institution."
The Glass Street neighborhood, one block south of Oak Lawn, on the edge of the Dallas Design District, has recently gained new attention from developers. Old warehouses are being turned into loft apartments, contemporary art galleries and design firms to create a unique and eclectic neighborhood.
Michael Ennis, Texas Monthly art critic, says, “The Design District is going to happen, and bringing Dallas Contemporary to the area will take the district to the next level. Every major city in the world today has a contemporary museum, in addition to its general, encyclopedic museum.”
The Dallas Contemporary, founded in 1981 as D'Art , began life as a place for area artists to exhibit their work. For the past 26 years it has been housed in space provided by The Meadows Foundation as part of their non-profit incubator program. The art space’s long-term lease expires in 2009, and is non-renewable.
"It’s time for Dallas Contemporary to spread its wings and fly the nest," said Gwyneth Lloyd, Capital Campaign co-chair. "We have expanded our mission from giving Texas-based artists a place to show their work to a world-class art center that showcases emerging artists from all around the world and educates the artists of the future."
"Our board did a wonderful job over the past two years, as they analyzed our problem and looked for solutions," said Dallas Contemporary Director Joan Davidow. "First they determined it would be more cost-effective to purchase an existing building, rather than building something new. Then they found the perfect building in the perfect location. Now we need to focus on securing the funds to complete the renovation and get this exciting new art space up and running. What a gift it will be for the whole community to have such a dynamic place to encounter and learn about art that's on the cutting edge."
Major donors kicking off the campaign include:
($250,000 + Initiators) Nancy & Tim Hanley, Allen & Kelli Questrom
($150,000 + Bridge Builders) Dr. Carol Mykolyk Riddick & Frank A. Riddick III
($100,000 + Luminaries) Priscilla Beshears Fund, The Boeckman Family Foundation, Joan Davidow, Seth Davidow Philanthropic Fund, Karin & Jack Kinzie, Kathi & Tom Lind
($45,000 + Imagists) Dallas Foundation, Barbara & Don Daseke/Barbara Elliott Interiors, Inc), Northpark Center, The Glazer’s Foundation, Betty J Sanders, Diane Sumoski & Lance Rasbridge
($25,000 + Avant guardists) Anonymous, Goss-Michael Foundation/Kenny Goss, George Michael, Joyce Goss; Karla & Mark McKinley, Jo Marie Lilly & Bruce Mueller
($5,000 Pointers) Anonymous, Baker Botts, LLB; Catherine & Sam Basharkhah, Leslie Connally, Gregory Higgins, Claire & Steve Horn, Mike Kutner, Alan May & Alexandra May, Gwyneth Lloyd & Chris Phelps, Dana Rosen, The Rosewood Foundation, Sara & Patrick Sands, Eve Reid & Warren Weitman and Sam Yang
NexBank will serve as the mortgage holder for the new space. “We are excited to be a part of the development of this exciting new space for Dallas Contemporary,” said Rob Kleifgen, assistant vice president in commercial lending for NexBank. “This organization fits perfectly with the banks philanthropic program, which allows us to support the worthwhile organizations in the Dallas community that truly make a difference.”
Dallas Contemporary energizes and enriches the Dallas community by presenting emerging contemporary art that ignites critical thought and learning. Fifteen challenging exhibitions yearly feature theme shows based on artists' ideas, solo shows by diverse artists, sculpture in the garden, and a member artist chosen for the hall. Studio art classes and resource room for artists add to the mix ~ programs to engage and educate fresh minds. Fun fundraising events include an annual Legends awards party to honor Texas artists, arts professionals, and patrons and the Wish! Auction of hot Texas art. Visit the welcoming, high-ceilinged galleries filled with natural light, currently located at 2801 Swiss Avenue. Open to the public free of charge Tuesday-Saturday 10:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. For more information, call 214/821-2522 or visit www.thecontemporary.net.
About NexBank- NexBank, SSB, is headquartered in Dallas in the NexBank Building, Galleria II Tower. Originally founded in 1922, the bank was purchased in 2004 by a group of Dallas-based investors, who have refocused the bank to become a next generation leader in the financial services industry. NexBank has opened two new banking centers in 2007; Plano and Downtown Fort Worth in addition to the two existing Dallas-Fort Worth centers. For more information, visit www.nexbank.com.
# # #
eNEWS is the news about
