The annual Art in the Square festival in Southlake Town Center in just around the corner. Please mark your calendars for the weekend of April 24-26. Over 140 local and nationally recognized artists will descend on Southlake to display their original works in a broad range of media. Art in the Square always draws a fine group of artistic talent, so it’s sure to be a great event – rain or shine.

Image courtesy of Art in the Square – Southlake Women’s Club.

This year Art in the Square features a Youth Art event with participating student artists from local high schools. Winners of this juried event will get to hang their art in art251.

Remember, not only do you get to see some great art, and sample fine local food and entertainment, the event benefits a number of northeast Tarrant County charities, including: ARTSNET, Community Enrichment Center, Metroport Meals on Wheels, and Tarrant Area Food Bank.

We drew five random names from our many sweepstakes entries gathered during Kellerfest (May 30 – June 1). The five lucky winners will receive one of the art works that we had on display during the event. This includes 2 signed prints by Southlake artist Trish Biddle, an abstract by Melissa Ayr, 2 matching ceramics by local potter Kim Norris and an extruded vase by potter and musician David Hendley. Kim hand delivered the vase to our first winner today – we’re not open yet so unfortunately we couldn’t have winners coming to our space.

If you wish to know the names of the winning entries please send an email to us at the following address – spelled out so as to avoid those nasty spamming bots: i n f o [at] a r t 2 5 1 [dot] c o m.

Yesterday we wrapped up 3 days of promoting art251 at Kellerfest. It was a great success — we met lots of local residents with a genuine interest in contemporary art, found some promising local artists, handed out many brochures, and collected even more signatures for our free art giveaway, and newsletter. As with most of this mad adventure this was the first time we’ve actively promoted our art space. So, we have learned much in the process — how to hand brochures to people, how to promote a sweepstakes, how to tell people about our space in less than 60 seconds, how to design a cool flyer, how to make eye contact with possible new customers, how to thank people for stopping by our space.

Now, back to the Texas-sized heat and humidity. I perspired so much that I lost around 130 lbs and 20 inches around the waist (and some in height). Either that, or the little person hosting the welcome table outside our space must be one of our 6 year-old helpers, crashed in the heat — not sure which, the heat has added to my art induced delirium. The good news: the morning and afternoon light inside the space is soft and clean, the air conditioning system works really well, and lots of people liked the art on display.

The annual Kellerfest bash (May 30 – June 1) is well underway. In fact, it’s still underway. So you could classify this entry as “live-blogging”. This year’s festivities include an F-18 flyover, paratrooper jump, tribute to our troops, fireworks, a local battle of the bands, too many carnival rides, far too many sticky foods on sticks and of course art251. I’m writing this during a break from the heat — Kim is braving our display table this afternoon.

Our space is still about 6-8 weeks from opening, but we’re taking the opportunity to stand outside in 95+ degree heat to promote our business to the crowds. Yes, I know we’re crazy. Despite the heat we’ve met lots of our neighbors and started spreading the word about the wonderful world of art — brought to you by art251. We kicked off with a drawing for a chance to win some quality art from four great local artists: Trish Biddle, Melissa Ayr, Kim Norris and David Hendley. We’re also giving away coupons for 10 percent off any one purchase.

Overall, reaction has been very positive and enthusiastic. Some people, though, seem to be truly perplexed that an art space would be coming to Keller and NE Tarrant County. It’s not a dream, we’re here, we’re coming, art in hand.

Phew! Another weekend, another art festival. It’s a tough life being in the art business. The Cottonwood Art Festival running on May 3-4, in Richardson, Texas (north of Dallas) is now in its 39th year. It draws around 200 artists from around the country, showcasing their art on the grounds of a delightful old park complete with lake and ducks. This year’s festival featured some exciting new metal work from Moises Diaz and Kristin DeSantis, puzzle-like faceless portraits from Signe Grushovenko, and fluid acrylic sculptures by Rod Garrett. Other notable works included the uncanny photorealistic portraits of Jeannie Maddox, Jeffrey Cannon’s soft landscapes in pastels, and Ed Taylor’s iridescent raku pottery. Also, on display were some bright, new works from emerging, young artists from local high-schools – notables: Shay O’Brien and Holly Lyons.

Great art and weather made for a good turnout. So, while the top end of the art market in the New York auction houses may be suffering from economic splutters, the affordable end of the market seems to be doing rather well in North Texas.

3 festivals in 2 weeks can mean only 1 thing… art lives!

Last week we visited the Ft.Worth Arts Festival (April 17-20), more commonly known as the Main Street arts festival. This grand event is now in its 23rd year, and is drawing bigger crowds and better art than ever. I had to fight my way through the throngs of people to see some really outstanding and innovative works from 200 juried artists from coast-to-coast. Some of the most notable standouts: Lewis Tardy’s biomechanical sculptures, Joseph Becker’s glasswork, surreal photographs from Barbara Kline, photorealistic paintings by Jeannie Maddox.

Then, as I’ve already mentioned, we hosted the first annual Bear Creek Art gala (April 19) in Keller. I fully expect this to become an annual showcase exclusively for local artists over the coming years.

Now, we’re getting ready for Art in the Square (April 25-27) in Southlake. The festival attracts around 130 artists and 80,000 people, and is now ranked in the top 100 art festivals in the U.S.

And, the winners are: me – my family and I get to see lots of great art and meet some very interesting artists; artists – they get lots of great exposure to a receptive audience and make some sales in the process; local community – much of the proceeds from these events goes to our local charities and non-profits, and there’s significant uptick in business for many local stores in the process. And, the losers? Well, I suppose, people who are trying to avoid art and traffic gridlock.

art251 is a proud sponsor of the first annual Bear Creek Art Gala. It is on April 19, 2008, from 7-10pm, at the Arthouse in Keller town center – 251 Town Center Lane, Keller, Texas.
We’ll be opening our space for the event, which features original art, live music, video art, great food and an auction. All proceeds go to Young Artists Of Texas (YAT), a local non-profit dedicated to promoting young, local artists.

All signs seem to be pointing towards this event being a great success. So, we have high hopes of turning this gala into an annual affair, which grows in size and scope. We’ll be working with the talented group of organizers and sponsors to make this a premier art event that focuses on LOCAL art and artists. Oh, it’s called “Bear Creek Art Gala” because the location overlooks Bear Creek, a picturesque sliver of water surrounded by trails that meanders through our city.

I’m stuck in Texas trying to finish the business plan for art251. So, it goes without saying – but I’ll say it anyway – I’m missing the annual Armory Show in New York City. The show runs from March 27-30 at Pier94. This year’s count is around 150 galleries featuring all new works from living artists… or is it living works from new artists?

Perhaps indicative of the growing influence of contemporary art in Europe and Asia, in this year’s event non-U.S. galleries outnumber home-grown ones.

So, since I’m unable to attend the Armory – after all, I did get to visit Art Basel Miami in December 2007 – I’ve posted a short pre-opening video that makes me feel as if I am, well, almost, but not-quite really there.