A dream, held by many of us, for so long, is coming true!

For years now, I’ve held the vision of collaborating with other local artists, to create a space where all manner of arts can be unleashed!  I’ve noticed the many empty buildings, on Main Street alone, and I envisioned using one of them for a location that could offer paint classes (for all ages), workshops for how to paint furniture/decor, theatrical productions (both scripted and improv), musical performances (both vocal and instrumental), dancing (both instructed and ecstatic), as well as a gallery/shop space, where local artists can display and sell their art.

Thanks to the creative passion of Jackey Raye Neyman Jones, Dena Lynn Brehm, Marci Vitner, Rebecca Fromherz-Kenneke, and to the gracious generosity of Marlene Cox, all of this is magically-manifestationally materializing at the Dallas Event Center, at 939 Main Street!

This enterprise is entitled ARTS AXIS – Artisans Co-Op.  You’ll soon see a new banner, above the Dallas Event Center sign.

This vision is multifaceted, and we’re beginning with what we’ve got, and shall be continuing to expand, evolve and grow, as we go.

We’re hitting the ground running, by offering several Paint-Parties for the month of September.  The debut shall be a Couples Date Night Paint-Party, for adults 18+, on Wednesday the 14th, from 6-8pm.  In the near future this once-a-month Date Night event shall be catered, with a choice of meals and beverages.  For the debut, feel free to purchase carryout from one of the local restaurants (West Valley Taphouse, Ugo’s Pizza, Two Wolves Taproom and Corby’s are all close by), and bring it with you.  We’ll be painting the newly-created “Dusk to Dawn” – Marci Vitner will be providing a guided meditation, to enhance relaxation and creativity before and after the event – More Info & Registration Here.

Here’s the Moon

On Thursday, Sept. 15th, ALL ages are invited to paint “Here’s the Moon,” from 6-8.  No experience is required for any of these Paint-Parties — you’ll receive inspirational instruction, every step of the way, for each event.  Everything is supplied — just show up and enJOY!  We promise you’ll have meaningful-fun, whether you’re a first-time painter, or an expert artist — and you’ll go home with your very one, painted-by-YOU masterpiece.  More Info & Registration Here.

Birdhouse B&B

On Saturday, Sept. 17th, KIDS aged 5-18 will have their own special Paint-Party, painting “BirdHouse B&B” — children will develop both competence and confidence, while having meaningful-FUN!  Again, no experience required.  Parents/guardians are welcome to drop off, stay to watch, OR join in!  More Info & Registration Here.

And then, on Sunday, Sept 18th, Jackey will be having a Paint-Party, painting the gorgeous “Evening Serenity” – this one is for all ages, from 3:00-5:00.  Jackey has a wealth of experience, as an artist, as an art teacher, and as an actress!  Her events are laden with fun, encouragement and freedom of expression.  More Info & Registration Here.

In the nearish future, we’ll be inviting local artists to have their original artwork juried in, to be included in the Gallery/Shop spaces (you can currently check out both Jackey’s and Dena’s upcycled art, in the front windows — contact us if you fall in love with anything, and wish to make a purchase).  For artists who wish to be involved in running the Co-Op, we’ll be offering them Member Artst status — for those who wish to simply display/sell their juried-in art, we’ll have spaces for Consignment Artists, as well. We intend to keep the quality and caliber of all the art, high.

Once per month, on a date TBD, we’ll invite in anyone who would like to join in on an Arts Circle (think sewing/quilting bees, but for arts/crafts) — we’ll provide the space, tables and chairs, and those who wish can bring their current project with them, to work on it, side by side with other creatives — this event shall be free to attend/participate.

A couple of us shall have studio-space in the Center, and we’ll have regular Open Studio opportunity — wherein the public can watch artists-in-action.

We also intend to have semi-annual Arts/Crafts Fairs — with tables for rent, so that artists/crafters can show and sell their creations.  We intend to do this during the weeks prior to the winter holidays, perhaps during Thanksgiving break.

Schools may book field trips, so that children in local schools can join in on learning to paint on canvas, with professional artists walking them through the process, step-by-step.

Local artists can also use the open area to conduct workshops, demonstrating/teaching their art — I’ll be teaching how to paint furniture/decor in whimsical fashion, and Jackey will be teaching how to paint on reclaimed architectural items.

Playback Theatre (improvisational story-telling theatre) will be relocating from Salem to Dallas, to both rehearse and perform in Arts Axis – we’ll be putting out a notice regarding a performance in cahoots with our sister-troupe in Portland, and then having an open workshop on the following day, to determine who may want to join the Salem/Dallas troupe.

In addition to all of the above, we want to also begin offering ecstatic dance events, open to everyone — we will be looking for an experienced and available DJ to supply the recorded music for these events.

And who knows what else!?!  Poetry Slams?  Writing workshops?  Calligraphy classes?  This dream is possibility-laden … we’re open to all manner of creative ideas being unleashed upon this amazing community!

Feel free to reach out with questions, comments, ideas and suggestions!