by Erica Guajardo
As an artist, one of the hardest things to do is get your artwork viewed by the public. It seems that there is much anxiety associated with “Where and How to start?” As a fellow artist myself, I found that it took someone inviting me to join a group of locals in order to get established. Although this seems like a simple idea, not all creative individuals know someone that is willing to show us the way.
Recently I was searching through the Facebook Group Page Dallas Art Openings, a group designed to announce art shows that are taking place around Dallas. During this search I found an individual posting “…I’ve come to find myself wanting to join an art career…How could I start myself?” This awakened a self-guided principle idea to help share with inspiring artists a way for them to get active and help grow their talents. Below you will find three art groups, which are FREE to join and stay active in the arts.
About a year ago, I was recommended to join a group of artists who gathered once a month. With a mission statement of “…an underground cultivation of emerging Dallas artist, initiating a collective to insight a movement of creating art beyond the walls of academia”. This allowed me to grow, and learn that there are ways to get your art work out to the public.
One thing about this group that differs from the others is that they curate group shows, hold critiques to help artists improve on their talents, and host field trips to educate their members so that they will be able to critique on a higher level. Only encouraging constructive criticism, this particular group is open to new members and new ideas.
Drink and Draw: Dallas and Fort Worth
As a recent new member to this artist group, I have opened my eyes to the animation artist and how they view the art world. Allowing myself to understand comics, storyboarding, and anatomy, I found myself broadening my artistic inspiration. Although you don’t have to be someone in the animation world to join, this group is a collaboration of individuals, which enjoy their anime.
Alternating between Dallas and Fort Worth every other week allows the group to meet once a week on Sunday evenings at Flying Saucer Addison or Flying Saucer Fort Worth. Occasionally stepping out of the bar to host nude drawing sessions helps members stay sharp with hand-eye coordination. This group is very inviting and I would suggest it to anyone who would like to enjoy a drink while they draw.
The final recommendation to stepping out into the art community is something that I am excited to join. ArtLoveMagic is a group that throws live and performance art events for the public. Bringing attention to local talent which are “unrecognized or underdeveloped” helps rid the anxieties that many artist have about showing publicly. They are open to visual, performance, and musically talented individuals. Hosting events once or twice a month to stay active in scene. This direct mentorship encourages the art scene in Dallas to grow.
