DALLAS ARTS DISTRICT ART GALLERY OPENS IN THE FAIRMONT DALLAS, PROMOTING LOCAL TALENT AND A PHILANTHROPIC BUSINESS MODEL
Date (Dallas, TX) – The Fairmont Dallas is pleased to announce a partnership with gallery owner Bryan Embry and the opening of Ross Akard Gallery, the Arts District’s first art gallery in over three decades.
A Dallas native, Embry began exploring art while attending Trinity Christian Academy, where his mentors encouraged him to continue his studies at the prestigious Pratt Art Institute in Brooklyn. Embry excelled at Pratt, but decided to follow a career path in finance. Following several successful years with Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor, Embry’s passion was reignited after several purposeful conversations with local gallery owner, Paul Adelson, who guided Embry through the process of forming his own company, specializing in artist representation and sales.
A true product of the community, from inception to completion, the gallery has come together through donations and concessions on products, services, time and art from gracious people all across the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Charles Womack of Womack-Hampton, Molly DeVoss of MDVC Creative Inc. and Salah Boukadoum of Soap Hope are included on the list of businesses that contribute to the gallery’s connection to the community. The work, ranging from paintings to sculptures, will be displayed on two permanent walls and three rotating walls, creating a transitional space. Womack, architect of the landmark Rolex building on North Central Expressway, capitalized on the prime location, 20-foot-ceilings and pedestrian visibility offered by the space. His use of moveable walls exposes the art from unexpected angles.
As a promoter for a local emerging-artist show, Embry recognized the talent in many of the artists that were featured and wanted to create a space to showcase their work in a location with the ability to transform at the same pace as the dynamic art scene. “This gallery is a special opportunity to bring exceptional art to a landmark area,” said Embry. “It adds another layer to the growing Arts District for both the art lover and the art buyer.”
The relationship between Embry and the historic downtown hotel began with a chance meeting between Embry and The Fairmont’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Shannah Milstead, at a North Texas for Business, Culture and the Arts event. “Bryan’s passion about art was immediately apparent to me and very contagious,” said Milstead. “The opportunity to bring an art gallery to the Arts District is gratifying to me on a professional level because it is a progressive move for the hotel, but also on a personal level due to my commitment to creating awareness about the importance of arts and culture in Dallas.” The Fairmont’s enduring connection to the community and the kinetic and vibrant gallery space make it the ideal location for Embry’s vision to manifest itself.
Building upon the community connection, Embry will adhere to the Good Returns business model, in which he will invest 100 percent of the gallery’s profits, for a period of one year, into non-profit organizations, enabling them to propel their business and their communities into sustainability. During that year, the funds will be leveraged for social purposes and repaid to Embry at the end of the year, creating a virtuous cycle of giving.
“I am especially excited about Bryan’s new venture because it is the first Good Returns business in the art industry,” said Salah Boukadoum, co-founder of the Good Returns model. “Bryan is supporting non-profits that are focused on the impact of the arts on children – bringing the benefits and appreciation of art to the next generation.”
Ross Akard Gallery will open to the public beginning Sunday, January 10, with a private grand opening on Thursday, January 21. For more information, visit www.rossakardgallery.com.