Cici Kahn making jewelry at the Creative Arts Center. (Photo by Brittany Nunn)
For decades hundreds of neighbors have devoted time to teaching and learning at the Creative Arts Center of Dallas (CAC) in East Dallas.
The center was founded by acclaimed Mexican-American artist, Octavio Medellín (who, if you recall, we wrote about last summer), in 1966 to serve as a hub for established and emerging artists to discover, develop and express their artistic vision. This year the center celebrates 50 years.
Octavio Medellin (provided photo)
These days Diana Pollak heads up the center, and she and the CAC team plan to celebrate the anniversary with a beefed up calendar that seeks to honor the organization’s past, according to the organization’s spokesperson Krissi Reeves.
Of course it will include CAC’s signature fundraising event, the Blue Plate Special Gala on April 30, but this year will also include an Octavio Medellín Guide and Driving Tour of Dallas, which will highlight impressive work from the artist throughout the city.
Creative Arts Center partnered with the Latino Cultural Center for the opening reception of the exhibit, “The Legacy of Octavio Medellín: A Survey of His Work and Influence.” The works are on display at Latino Cultural Center through March 31.
“The retrospective exhibit showcases Medellín’s artistic works and highlights the legacy and influence he left behind,” Reeves explains, “including historical and thematic subjects of his artistic output.”
Jewelry making (provided photo)
The exhibition also features work of artists Medellín influenced — many of whom live in East Dallas.
The Creative Arts Center also recently launched a new rotating department show, “Process to Product: From Inspiration to Innovation,” which explores the artistic process of five of the center’s teaching artists and celebrates the arts education process CAC students experience in their classes. The first installation is on view now through March 26.
