Cross Timbers Artists Guild to open gallery in Highland Village

by Pam King of Lantana Links

The Cross Timbers Artists Guild is about to unveil it’s most sizable and comprehensive collaborative work to date: a gallery, located at 140 Waller Creek, next to James Avery, in the Shops at Highland Village.

The space, which once housed the Texas Roast coffee shop, will soon serve up an exhibit area, teaching and demonstration space, and welcoming gathering place for everyone interested in art and the local artists and artisans who design and create it.

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of our suburban lives and routines are neighbors, men and women, whose "other job" is a passion for their art, whether it’s woodturning, woodcarving or furniture making, weaving, quilting, fiber arts, mosaics, pottery or sculpture, glass-blowing, stained glass, oil painting, watercolors, paper and collage, architectural sculpture, jewelry or photography, to name a few. Most of these local artists work out of their homes, exhibiting everywhere but here. Come September, or sooner if the stars align, the Guild Gallery will open its doors so all of us can see for ourselves the fine art and creative industry going on all around us.

Cross Timbers Artists Guild President and Double Oak resident Dave Dunlap, of Dunlap Art Glass, says, “Local artists aren’t extremely visible, but our area has some great artists here and fine artwork.”

The Guild itself was started in 2001 by local artists Alton Bowman, Barb Hartman, Melody Ramirez, and Kathleen House. Its primary objective was, “to introduce the public to visual artists who live and work in neighborhoods in Flower Mound, Highland Village, Double Oak, Copper Canyon, Argyle, Bartonville and Lewisville, and to create a sense of community among local artists.”

It worked. “Seeing other artists’ work impressed me so much,” said Dunlap, “I begged Katherine House to let me in the next tour.”

Dunlap, who specializes in stained glass, not only got in the 2003 tour, he became the studio tour coordinator for both the 2003 and 2004 tours. “By then,” Dunlap says, “the number of tour members was increasing and we all made a point of knowing one another, our studios and each other’s work.”

The Guild and its annual tour have grown from its first six artists and studios to more than 20, creating a “unique and popular Denton County art event that provides art education in a neighborhood setting for thousands of people.”

The idea of a public gallery for all interested artists has been on the minds of Guild members for a while, says Dunlap. “We’ve been talking within the group for years about how to increase awareness about us and our work within the local communities, but we could never quite get sufficient commitments. We’ve wanted a place that would have natural foot traffic, but commercial space is expensive.”

Finally, the Guild was presented with an opportunity that worked. “We have been able to put together a lease for the space within The Shops at Highland Village that gives us a lot of flexibility,” says Dunlap, “and for artists, all Guild members are welcome: you don’t have to be on the annual Tour to exhibit in the gallery.”

Local photographer, community booster, and Guild member JaLynn West says, “That’s the beauty of this opportunity: It’s been our vision as artists and residents to share our work. There is so much talent around here!”

As Guild members work out the details of the gallery space and its opening, they report feeling encouraged by the consistently positive responses they are getting from Highland Village and Flower Mound mayors and council members, as well as community organizations, their neighbors and one another. Sounds as if it doesn’t need to be twelve months between tours!

Learn more about the Cross Timbers Artists Guild at www.crosstimbersarts.com.