Nothing can keep art lovers from a new breaking occasion, not even rush hour traffic around the Galleria. So, the Mercedes and Bentleys made their way through the jam fest on Tuesday, September 19, to The Warehouse just beyond the LBJ-Dallas North Tollway square dance.
And what was the draw for the usual Dallas proper artsy types to venture away from their comfort zone? It was the announcement of the third annual Nasher Prize Laureate. The selection had been made by a jury of international collection of art experts.
And even if one didn’t know the difference between a chalk drawing on a sidewalk and a Henry Moore, it was worth the drive just to see the crowd.
Nasher Prize Co-Chairs Christen and Derek Wilson were works of sculpture beauty just by their presence. In a side room presenting sponsor JPChase/Morgan’s Elaine Agather was chatting with Nancy Nasher and David Haemisegger. When asked about the possibility of one of Nancy’s and David’s kids carrying on the Nasher tradition in retailing and philanthropy, Nancy smiled and said, “That’s a possibility.”
Snapshots around the room: Nancy Rogers in a denim jacket with Sharon Young and Cindy Rachofsky… Journalists Mike Granberry, Christina Geyer, Christopher Wynn and Tim Rogers taking note of the surroundings and announcements… Donald Fowler has just taken over the Nasher Sculpture Center’s retail store…and others like Nick Even, Mary McDermott Cook with Dan Patterson, Kern Wildenthal, Suzanne McGee, Carol and Don Glendenning and Thomas Hartland-Mackie, who reported that wife Nasiba Hartland-Mackie was in London and he was batching it with their three-year-old.
Promptly, as promised, the announcement was made by Nasher Sculpture Center Director Jeremy Strick at 7 p.m. Drum roll — Chicago artist Theaster Gates will receive the Nasher Prize and its $100,000 on Saturday, April 7, at the Nasher Sculpture Center. The announcement was greeted with a thunderous wave of shouts and applause.
Alas, when it came to toasting the decision, Jeremy raised his glass. Only a scant few followed his lead. It wasn’t because the others didn’t want to. They just didn’t have glasses in hand.