Every day on Art&Seek, we’re talking to people who have tips for virtual art experiences.  Share yours with us on Facebook, Instagram or @artandseek on Twitter. Click above to listen to Irene Allender, Membership and Program Coordinator at Preservation Dallas share her tip with KERA’s Nilufer Arsala. 

Irene Allender, Preservation Dallas

Preservation Dallas is taking a deep dive tonight into the history of the distinctive Art Deco Architecture at Fair Park – in its first virtual presentation.

Leading the discussion are David Bush and Jim Parsons from Preservation Houston and co-authors of Fair Park Deco, a book that focuses on the Art Deco art and architecture of Fair Park.

Through archival footage and photographs, Bush and Parsons will talk about the design and construction that took place at Fair Park during the 1936 Centennial Exposition.

Highlights also include some of the fair’s most colorful stories and people, including Mademoiselle Corrine, the “Apple Dancer,” whose performances were the talk of Dallas.

Fair Park was established as an 80-acre fairground for the Dallas State Fair in 1886. The metamorphosis of the park that we know today, took place in 1936, when the Texas Centennial Exposition was held there. It was during this 100th birthday celebration that dozens of local and national architects and artists were brought in to transform the fairgrounds into an Art Deco showcase. In 1986, Fair Park was declared a National Historic Landmark and the site remains one of the world’s largest unified collections of Art Deco buildings and artwork.

Tickets are free for Preservation Dallas members, $10 for the general public. You can renew, join or purchase tickets to this presentation on their website. The talk will be held virtually and a link to access the program will be emailed shortly before the start of the program.

“Since the State Fair of Texas has been canceled this year, this discussion is a great way to learn more about the history of Fair Park,” said Irene Allender, Membership and Program Coordinator at Preservation Dallas. “Also, Fair Park is still open for you to tour and enjoy the unique artwork there.”

Photo: Preservation Dallas

Looking ahead, Preservation Dallas will also resume its annual Summer Sizzlers series in late August. The program is a series of educational lectures and tours that offer insights into preservation topics, architecture and history. This year the series will be presented virtually. Check Preservation Dallas’ website for more details.

Got a tip? Email Therese Powell at tpowell@kera.org. You can follow her on Twitter @TheresePowell13

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