Event and Art Fairs: Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

Okay, I have to admit something, because of how events have fallen into place the next two weeks are switched a bit. Instead of enjoying a Gallery or Exhibition Review this week, you will get an awesome listing on Events and Art Fairs in Dallas, Texas. Yes, the art:SAGE letters will then be out of order, but the art world will continue to spin.

For those of you who missed out on the CityArts Fest that took place from the 7th-9th of May, no worries, you still have plenty of art festival fun coming your way. The Wildflower Festival will be held at the Galatyn Park Urban Center in Richardson, Texas this weekend. The event is still going strong after 18 years of success. Although mainly a music festival, you can enjoy great events for families with plenty of festival food and some art exhibitions. It's sure to be a good time for all.  There are so many activities packed into these three days that I suggest checking  the website for the full lineup of events! 

If you don't get enough art during the Wildflower Festival, be sure to head to McKinney for the Art Walk  on Saturday, May 22nd from 10 am to 6 pm. Unlike the Wildflower festival, this is event is FREE! Yes, my favorite word! So enjoy the 75+ artists that have gathered in McKinney's Historic Downtown. 

Like art and movies (or artsy movies), well then try something different this summer.  The Modern in Fort Worth just started a film series called Magnolia at the Modern. The selection of films presented by the Magnolia Theater at the Museum includes The Secret in Their Eyes, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and City of Your Final Destination. It began last weekend and will happen every weekend until July 25th. Although tickets are $8.50 a pop, its a great way to opportunity to get out to Fort Worth! My suggestion, give your car are break and take the train from Reunion Station to Fort Worth. Then spend the day in the Cultural District (yes, on foot)! 

Alright, tune back next week for my gallery review. (And don't worry, it will all go back to normal after that!) 

Museum and Gallery Exhibitions: Canterbury, UK

For the moment I am living in Canterbury so I wanted to take the time to highlight some the upcoming events and exhibitions at two local art centers. Although these exhibitions do not feature any contemporary artists, attending these events is good to support local museums and galleries. It a chance to network with curators and staff and an opportunity to learn something new. Plus, it is a great way to see what the current art history trends are in your town! 

Fossil Roadshow-Prehistoric Monsters!

Museum of Canterbury, Stour Street

10am to 4pm

6th of February 2010

Age 2 to adult*

The "family Fun/fossil Identification day" on Prehistoric Monsters combines tidbits from science, art, and history into a great family activity. "Discover evidence of prehistoric 'monsters' - from mighty dinosaurs, to mammoths, crocodiles and creatures of the deep!  See and touch amazing fossils, take part in the dino dig, listen to monster stories and enjoy a range of fun, hands-on activities."  

*Special entry today only, £1 for all visitors. Please note there is an additional £1 charge for the Children's Activity Zone to cover the cost of materials. A free fossil for the first 50 children.

Canterbury: England's Crucible

Sidney Cooper Art Gallery

From 6th Feb and 27th March

Tues - Fri: 11am - 5.30pm

Sat: 12pm - 5.30pm

Private Viewing 5th of February 6pm-8pm (all welcome)

History and art come together at the Sidney Cooper Art Gallery in their latest exhibition on "Canterbury: England's Crucible 1000 years of Canterbury's history from St Augustine to the Tudors." The brainchild of the Christchurch's University History Department and the Canterbury Archaeological Trust (CAT), the exhibition "explores how the city has developed from AD 597 when St Augustine arrived on a mission from Rome." 

Free Events linked with the Exhibition: 

- Medieval puppet shows every Saturday at 12.30am, 2pm and 4pm from the Theatre of the Small

- Free lectures: 

• Tuesday 23rd February at 6pm- Dr Andrew Richardson (CAT)  "Early Canterbury and the Augustinian Mission"

• Thursday March 4th at 6pm- Marion Green (CAT) "Not just a load of old rubbish- the educational use of archaeological material by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust." Booking essential on 01227 782266

• Saturday 20th February 11am - 4pm- Study Day, Old Sessions House Longport. Come and hear about the latest historical research on Anglo-Saxon, Medieval and Tudor Canterbury. Speakers include Dr Charles Insley, Dr Richard Eales and Dr Sheila Sweetinburgh.

* For further details and to register please contact Prof Jackie Eales, Canterbury Christ Church University, N Holmes Road, Canterbury CT1 1 QU tel:01227 454700, e-mail jackie.eales @canterbury.ac.uk

Gallery Exhibition and Event: Animators of Tomorrow

Animators of Tomorrow 

"Showcasing this year's emerging young talent"

The Sidney Cooper Art Gallery
Canterbury, UK 
January 9th - January 23rd 2010
Email 
Exhibition Website

The exhibition displays the work developed by over 500 children during animation workshops commissioned by Canterbury Christ Church University as part of the Creative Campus Initiate and produced by Anifest's 'Home Grown Talent', KRAN'S Riverside Project 'Home to Home' and over 50 schools in Kent.  The exhibition space at the Sidney Cooper Gallery was organized in a very inviting manner that showcases the children's work and illustrates the different stages in the process. The walls trace the path from conception to animation. 


I was lucky enough to experience the exhibition during one of the Cut out animation workshops, 'The Games Come to Town!' which took place on Saturday 16th of January. The children, with the help of two group leaders, created concepts, drawings, and animations of Olympic events in just four hours. It was incredible to see how quickly they were able to use the technology to put the animation together from simple construction paper cut-outs. These programs help to boost self-esteem among children and support the future of the new media arts. It was evident that the children were proud of their work and enjoyed the experience. 


Overall I highly recommend this event and exhibitions like it, because they are wonderful ways of engaging the audience. They also attract diverse viewers, from families to teens to the elderly. Exhibitions like these are excellent forums to learn more about art in a very relaxed and inviting environment! This a great opportunity to get entire groups of people interested and involved in the arts. 


So go over to the Sidney Cooper Art Gallery before the 23rd and check this out! For those of you stateside, museums and galleries are beginning to promote education events like these quite often. For example, the Dallas Museum of Art has the Center for Creative Connections, which hosts events in its creative lab throughout the year.