Maxwell L. Anderson, pills the new director of the Dallas Museum of Art, diagnosis has appointed Robert Stein as the Museum’s Deputy Director, salve effective April 19. Stein, who currently serves as the Deputy Director for Research, Technology and Engagement at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, will work with Anderson and the DMA’s senior staff to lead the Museum and enhance the DMA’s impact in the Dallas community and around the world. Stein will oversee the Museum’s financial, educational, conservation, technological, web and operational activities. Stein’s appointment represents the reinstitution and expansion of the role of Deputy Director at the DMA, and he will work with Anderson on a revision of the portfolios and responsibilities of the DMA’s leadership team. “Rob has been a long-time advocate of innovation in museums and is a pioneer in exploring strategies and techniques that cultural organizations can use to drive real and meaningful engagement with their audiences, both on site and online,” said Anderson. “I am thrilled that he will be joining us in Dallas and know that his programmatic, strategic, and administrative strengths will help the DMA provide deeper connections to the Museum’s collections and programs.” Stein has served at the Indianapolis Museum of Art since 2006, where he first worked alongside Anderson in bringing the museum international recognition as a leader for innovation, creativity, and the use of technology.
As part of its effort to support and encourage the artistic experience of students in Dallas/Fort Worth and the surrounding area, The Goss-Michael Foundation has announced the winners of the fifth annual Goss-Michael Foundation Student Art Contest. The theme was chosen in recognition of UNICEF — a global humanitarian relief organization providing children with health care and immunizations, clean water, nutrition and food security, education, emergency relief and more. Public and private high school students from the greater Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas participated in this year’s competition which required students to explore and experiment with the word “HUMAN It –arian” as three separate entities or create an artistic interpretation of the word humanitarian. A $1,000 award was presented to first place winner, Elizabeth L. Housewright for her photographic series, Human. Housewright attends Lake Highlands High School located in Dallas. Johnson from Garland High School located in Garland was awarded a $750 award and second place for her photograph, “Taking a Leap.” A $500 award was presented to third place winner Claudia Ramos for her photograph, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Ramos is a student at Newman Smith High School in Carrollton. In addition to the monetary awards, the winners will be featured in the Foundation’s monthly newsletter and on the website.
March 24 marked the opening of what is now the largest art gallery in Fort Worth, The Gallery at Casa Mañana. With more than 6000 square feet of indoor gallery space, the contemporary gallery will focus on showing and nurturing Texas artists. Regular shows and events will be scheduled for artists, designers and collectors. A children’s program will teach and mentor younger artists. The gallery is currently seeking artists and volunteers. “We are so pleased to offer the largest and most contemporary art gallery to the city of Fort Worth,” states the gallery’s curator, Ann-Marie Barker. “We are looking forward to joining the rich and active art community in the city.” Barker is an award-winning contemporary artist who began her formal studies in art at the age of 12. She holds a degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in art history, international business and French.
The Dallas Art Dealers Association annual Spring Gallery Walk will be held on April 21, 2–8 p.m., and feature more than 40 of DADA’s member galleries, museums and nonprofit art spaces. DADA Docents (volunteer high school students) will be on hand to guide you at select galleries. In addition, the day will be marked with two panel discussions of interest to artists. The morning session will be a discussion on getting into juried shows, followed by an afternoon session discussing artist residencies. Panel members include Scott Hilton (500XPO), Bart Weiss (Dallas VideoFest), Kenneth Craighead (Craighead Green Gallery) and Heyd Fontenot (CentralTrak).
The Lawndale Art Center in Houston is looking to offer nine month residencies to three artists from Gulf Coast states. The Lawndale Artist Studio Program offers artists full access to a studio 24/7; access to visiting artists, writers and curators; and will receive a $500 monthly stipend for the duration of the program together with an initial $1500 materials budget. If accepted, artists are expected to present a workshop or presentation to the general public and the local arts community to share their practice or explore a related topic.
Works produced during the 2012-2013 program will be exhibited at Lawndale Art Center in May 2013. Artists working in all media are encouraged to apply.
Award-winning artist Bernadine Stetzel of Freemont, Ohio has donated 71 of her paintings to The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Stetzel, 86, has been capturing personal and historical memories in primitive-style paintings and woodcut scenes since she was 12. Stetzel began the Kennedy Series in 1968, five years after the assassination, and completed it in the late 1980s. The oil paintings depict political and private Kennedy-related events including the Inauguration, March on Washington, private family moments such as Senator Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier’s wedding, speeches and other poignant occasions.
