A day trip to DFW’s nearest West Texas neighbor offers unlikely art fare
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| THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS: A collection of pop-up artist Robert Sabuda’s amazing, life-sized books are on display this month in Abilene. |
Everyone knows that Fort Worth has world-class museums that often outshine Dallas (and for that matter, New York and Los Angeles). But head even farther west and you can enjoy unexpected offerings like live music in the streets of downtown, shopping, art, theater and movies highlighting a weekend of art and culture in the West Texas city of Abilene, June 11–14.
If you missed the Dallas appearance of gay pop-up book artist Robert Sabuda in Dallas last week, some of his even more impressive work will be displayed at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, 102 Cedar St., including a life-sized exhibit of his special brand of "pop" art.
The Grace Museum, located at 102 Cypress St., features area history from the 1880s and a exhibit of James Surls’ sculpture. Also in the galleries are the high desert paintings of James Woodson and torch drawings, hand woven wire birds and printed blankets drawings of Helen Altman.
The longest-running off-Broadway hit ever, "The Fantasticks," plays at the Ryan Little Theatre on the McMurry University campus.
Directions: Take I-30 West until it merges into I-20 west of Fort Worth and forms the northern half of a loop around Abilene. Abilene is 150 miles west of Fort Worth.
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SOMETHING NEW TO CROW ABOUT
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| This mocha cup and saucer from the Elephant Shanti collection is one of the new gift items in the Lotus Shop of the Crow Collection selected by gay design guru Dean Driver. |
The Crow Collection of Asian Art in the Arts District has always stood out among DFW’s premiere museums — not the least because admission has always been free. But adding to its uniqueness is its new boutique.
The Lotus Shop has reimagined itself as an outlet for fine porcelains, clothing and other collectible from around the world, including lines from designers Jacqueline Cambata and Abraham & Thakore.
Style maven Dean Driver, the managing consultant for the new Lotus Shop, says the collection has a global reach, with fashion items from India, China, Japan and more.
"These introductions represent the influence of Asian culture on artists and craftsmen around the world," Driver says.
There will be a public wine reception with Cambata at the Lotus Shop, 2010 Flora St., June 10 at 6 p.m. Free.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition June 5, 2009.