Spotlighting Lone Star talent, the fifth annual Vignette Art Fair will feature 47 women artists from across Texas this November in Dallas.

Paintings, sculptures, mixed media, performance art, and video will be displayed at Dallas Market Hall on Nov. 2 – 3 at Dallas Market Hall.

Notable exhibitors include North Texans Danié Gómez Ortigoza, whose video “Breathe” explores themes of isolation and longing, and Tina B. Medina, whose mixed media piece “Sacrificios por una patria” examines cultural identity (see examples of their work below).

As part of Vignette’s artist-centric approach, 100% of art proceeds go directly to the artists themselves, providing income and exposure to support women’s art careers. 

Each year, a new curator lends a fresh artistic perspective. This year, 2023 curator Emily Edwards, an associate curator at Dallas Contemporary, spotlights rising talents and established artists for an immersive showcase of women’s creative visions.

Dallas-based Danié Gómez Ortigoza, Breathe, 2023. Video. [Video still viaTexas Vignette]

Mission-driven art fair

The Vignette Art Fair is a flagship initiative of the nonprofit Texas Vignette, founded by Dallas arts advocate Jessica Ingle in 2017. Ingle, a curator, writer, and art entrepreneur, created the organization to support and connect women artists across Texas.

“Female artists are not nearly as represented in museum exhibitions, acquisitions, and galleries compared to their male counterparts,” the nonprofit said in an announcement.

Texas Vignette’s mission is powered by its board of directors and advisory council of arts professionals, including curators, philanthropists, and advocates. The dedicated leaders hail from the Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas Museum of Art, Meadows Museum, civic arts organizations, and other institutions. 

Record submissions 

Through its juried selection process from an open call for submissions, the fair spotlights female creators at all levels.

Emily Edwards [Photo: Kevin Todora via Texas Vignette]

This year, the art fair received a record 216 submissions. The selected 47 female artists from 23 Texas cities will showcase 89 masterpieces on Nov. 3-4 at Dallas Market Hall. Art spans all mediums and disciplines, including performance art. 

Inspired by the reach, curator Edwards says she’s encouraged to keep raising the profile of exceptional women artists, a group she says needs “representation more than ever.”

“We are thrilled by the overwhelming response to the call for applications this year,” Edwards said. “I’m humbled by the diversity and quality of talent.”

Dallas-based Tina B. Medina, Sacrificios por una patria (Sacrifices for a Homeland), 2023. Photo on canvas and fabric, 96 x 96 x 24 inches. Medina’s mixed media artwork explores cultural identity and belonging. [Photo via Texas Vignette]

Female artists from Dallas to San Marcos, Abilene to Houston

The fair aims to promote and connect underrepresented women artists statewide.

North Texas, in particular, has a robust contingent this year. 

Artists from Dallas include Jessica Baldiviesco, Victoria Brill, Melanie Clemmons, Sarah DePetris, Erica Felicella, Danielle Georgiou, Melisa Gerecci, Danié Gómez Ortigoza, Maria Haag, Jessica Hilvitz, Felicia Jordan, Tina B. Medina, Natalia Padilla, Alexis Phillips, Cat Rigdon, Kathy Robinson-Hays, Liz Trosper, and Donna Zarbin-Byrne.

Fort Worth is represented by Aubree Dale, Ariel Davis, and Michelle Cortez Gonzales; and Denton artists include Julie Libersat and Cher Musico.

Fort Worth-based Aubree Dale, Where We Always Meet, 2021. Oil on stretched canvas, triptych, 60 x 144 x 2 inches. Dale’s triptych painting evokes nostalgia and the familiarity of special places. [Photo via Texas Vignette]

Other North Texas artists are Allen’s Jacqueline Blanco; Arlington’s Hallee Turner; Benbrooks’ D’Lynda Crossett; Carrollton’s Jennifer Gassiararo; Coppell’s Leticia Alaniz; Ennis’ Laura Briseno; Irving’s Joy Reyes; Keller’s Claudia Maysen; Lucas’ Anna Redman; McKinney’s Brianna Burnett; and North Richland Hills’ Laura Davidson.

Elsewhere in Texas are Abilene’s Brady Sloane Duncan; Austin’s Lesley Anderson; Canyon Lake’s Suzanne Truex; Houston’s Claire Cusack, Emilie Duval, Shelley Smolen, and Sarah Sudhoff; Lockhart’s Sara Lee Hughes; Nacogdoches’ Eden Collins and Candace Hicks; San Marcos’ Lana Waldrep Appl; Savannah’s Marciella Giovino; and Seabrook’s Holly Walrath.

Houston-based Sarah Sudhoff, The Past is Ever Present, 2023. Video. Sudhoff’s video work explores how the past permeates the present. [Image: Texas Vignette]

The curator’s eye

Curator Edwards brings a diverse artistic perspective to the 2023 Vignette Art Fair. The associate curator at Dallas Contemporary is currently working on presentations of artists Bianca Bondi and Chloe Chiasson to open this fall.

Prior to coming to Dallas, Edwards worked on a curatorial team at the 9/11 Memorial Museum, mixing her arts expertise with a role in memorializing the pivotal historical event.

A two-day showcase and VIP preview

On Nov. 3 and 4, the two-day Vignette Art Fair at Dallas Market Hall is free and open to the public.

A limited number of tickets are available for an exclusive VIP preview to be held on Thursday, Nov. 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. The sneak peek event will also feature live performances, meet-and-greets with the artists and curator, music by DJ Wild in the Streets, an open bar, and appetizers. 

For more information, go to texasvignette.org.

VIEW THE GALLERY

Check out scenes from the 2022 Texas Vignette Art Fair, photographed by Sheryl Lanzel.

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