It’s an art fair unlike any other. This weekend, Dallas will trade hushed galleries for a more vibrant and louder kind of art event.
The Other Art Fair, presented by Saatchi Art, is a global gathering of emerging artists from around the world, taking place at different times in London, Los Angeles, Chicago, Brooklyn and Dallas. This year’s Other Art Fair Dallas will take place May 7 through 10 at Dallas Market Hall.
In addition to works of art, the fair will feature live performances by dancers, interactive activities for the whole family, a cafe and bar, and special treats for moms in honor of Mother’s Day.
The fair was founded in London in 2011 by Ryan Stanier and was brought to Dallas in 2017.
“The idea behind the fair is the fact that all you need to purchase art is to fall in love,” said Nicole Garten, global fair director at The Other Art Fair. “And what better way to fall in love with art than to meet the artist in person, have a chance to form a connection and see the details and colors in person.”
The theme for this year’s Dallas fair is Main Character Energy, and it will feature 135 artists, the largest number for the local event yet. Photography, sculpture, mixed media, fiber art and more will be on display and available to purchase.
One of the artists featured in this year’s fair is Patricia Rodriguez, a native of Oak Cliff who has been a professional artist for over 20 years. This will be her first time appearing in the fair. Her colorful art, using acrylic paint, wood, canvas and resin, is inspired by our planet’s natural world.
“I don’t sketch things out really, I’ll sit down at a blank canvas, and I’ll immediately put some colors on it just because I must have some color,” Rodriguez said.
“So many artists will tell us that they got their start at the fair and how they met a gallerist who helped them grow their career up and beyond,” Garten said. “So if you want to catch them while they’re young and fresh, and while their prices are still accessible, the fair is the best place to find that.”
May 7 from 6 to 10 p.m.; May 8 from 5 to 10 p.m.; May 9 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and May 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Dallas Market Hall, 2200 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas. Tickets range from $14 to $180.