The Dallas Arts Tower is set to open a public art gallery featuring pieces from local artists. The first exhibit begins March 5.
Having easy access to art provides a wealth of benefits for the human body. It decreases stress, increases excitement, and in the case of downtown Dallas, it also reduces things like loitering, too.
The Business Council for the Arts found this to be the case after witnessing the positive effects of its Art at Work Program—a project that was designed to bring art into the city’s offices. It was so successful that an offshoot was created, called ArtWorks, that is now accomplishing a similar goal by bringing original art into more public spaces. The latest building to benefit from this initiative is the Dallas Arts Tower (formerly known as the Chase Tower) which is set to house its first exhibit at the beginning of March.
The CEO and president of Downtown Dallas Inc., Jennifer Scripps, spoke with D Magazine about the program. Scripps said, “DDI’s mission is to champion a clean, safe, and welcoming downtown for residents, workers, and visitors. ArtWorks advances that mission by activating key street-level spaces with art that inspires care, connection, and pride in our city center.” In placing art installations at street-level, the groups have led to a reduction in trash, graffiti, and loitering, according to Dallas residents. The rotating exhibits set for installation at the Dallas Arts Tower will hopefully propel these benefits to new heights and create an even deeper sense of community connection.
The ground-floor gallery inside of the 55-story building is the result of a partnership between the Business Council for the Arts and the Fortis Property Group that owns the tower. The chief investment officer for Fortis, Terrence Storey, said, “Art is not an accessory here. It is a defining feature.” Creating this artistic space is one of several renovations undertaken at the Dallas Arts Tower over the last year. Updated common areas, lobby art installations, and a restaurant, Café Olivia, are all recent additions.
Moving forward, rotating collections in the building will showcase works from local artists, including those on view beginning March 5.
The first exhibit opens in March
Dallas Arts Tower is set to welcome its first exhibit on March 5, featuring pieces from Simon Waranch, a local glass artist. Waranch has selected from his “At the Threshold” collection to put the exhibit together, which runs until March 14. His feature work, titled “Skittles,” will remain on view at the building’s gallery through the rest of the year. Additional displays are expected to be announced, but permanent artworks are always on display in the lobby. Du Chau’s “First Breath” and “Las Rain V” are housed there, as are Carmen Menza’s “Unfolding the Sky I & II” and “Blue in Green Dreams.”
Art is on display at several other buildings downtown
In addition to the art gallery opening at the Dallas Arts Tower, several other exhibits can be found throughout the city. Dan Lam’s piece “Strange Matter” is displayed at 1505 Elm through March 23, and JM Rizzi’s “Studies in Collapse” can be seen at the Renaissance Tower until March 13. Plus, the Business Council for the Arts are planning to work with Downtown Dallas Inc. to raise funds for an additional 10 exhibits to be placed in the future.
