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Ross Akard Gallery's Out, The Gallery at the Fairmont is In


by Jerome Weeks 15 Nov 2012 9:32 AM

The Ross Akard Gallery — which helped start the Fairmont Hotel’s Artist in Residency program — is no more. The Gallery at the Fairmont is now in the same space. But will the Artist in Residence program continue?

CTA TBD

Spoke with Ross Akard Gallery owner Bryan Embry — who’s currently in LA, working to start a gallery there as well as one in West Dallas. But his space is no longer in the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel.

Actually, the space is still there, and still functioning as a gallery. Reason I called him was this announcement: Artist Zach Saucedo has opened The Gallery at the Fairmont, which, of course, is where the Ross Akard is — or was. Embry says his relationship with the Fairmont “ran its course” by this past summer, and he began getting work in LA. Then in August, the new Gallery held a show for the Stem&Thorn fashion line. But the release is the first, official announcement that the Gallery wasn’t a temporary space and would continue to promote local and regional contemporary artists.

The Gallery will also continue the Fairmont’s Artist in Residence program, which we wrote about last year. The Fairmont launched the program with Embry because the Fairmont was interested in becoming ‘the hotel of the Arts District.’ The program gives a working artist a three-month stay in a top-floor hotel suite, plus a studio in the basement lobby — all in preparation for a show at the gallery and the donation of a work to join the Fairmont’s lobby collection.

Saucedo actually was a Fairmont Artist in Residence and worked with Embry as a silent partner (he’s one of the artists listed as represented by the Ross Akard Gallery), so the program’s continuation would make sense. In fact, current Fairmont artist-in-residence Mikki Mallow (and Gallery creative director) has just opened her exhibition, “For Your Amusement.”

UPDATE: Saucedo called to say that one thing that will change is he’s hoping to bring in artists outside North Texas to develop something of an exchange program with other residencies.

The full release follows:

The Fairmont Dallas is pleased to announce a partnership with gallery owner Zach Saucedo and the opening of The Gallery at The Fairmont, an on-site contemporary art gallery inspired by the hotel’s location in the heart of the Dallas Arts District. Mr. Saucedo will oversee the space, which will showcase a diverse range of contemporary works by established and emerging artists in a variety of media. With the mission of supporting and enhancing the surrounding arts community, The Gallery at The Fairmont will be an artist-driven space located on the lobby level of the downtown hotel. The gallery will display work on two permanent walls and three rotating walls, creating a transitional conceptual space.

“The Gallery at The Fairmont will strive to showcase the visual and conceptual talents of both local artists and artists from around the world,” said Saucedo. “We hope to empower and support the artistic community while also enriching the local community by exhibiting outstanding visual pieces.”

In 2010, Saucedo was appointed The Fairmont Dallas’ inaugural Artist in Residence, completing a three-month residency while living and working at the hotel. A self-taught artist, Mr. Saucedo discovered a passion for art at an early age, experimenting with various mediums such as oils, acrylics and pen and ink and exploring the theme of love and its many manifestations. As a memento of his residency, Mr. Saucedo’s striking contemporary piece titled “P.E.A.C.E. – The Suite Life” is on display in The Fairmont Dallas’ lobby as part of the hotel’s permanent collection.

“As an established artist, Zach’s vision for the space reflects an authentic artistic passion and an intimate knowledge of the local art scene,” said Nicole Considine, Director of Sales & Marketing at The Fairmont Dallas. “Our partnership is a natural extension of the hotel’s prior relationship with Zach and we hope the space will be an innovative, dynamic element within the community of the Dallas Arts District.”

The Gallery at The Fairmont will take an active role in facilitating the Artist in Residence program in close partnership with the hotel. As a former Artist in Residence, Mr. Saucedo will serve as a champion for the program, and will be part of the art selection committee charged with selecting program participants. In 2013, the Artist in Residence program will re-launch with an expanded focus on exploring strategic partnerships and fostering artistic talent from a local, regional and national perspective.

Current Artist in Residence Mikki Mallow will display her new exhibit, titled “For Your Amusement,” at The Gallery at The Fairmont from November 3, 2012 to November 29, 2012. Creating colorful abstract and conceptual pieces in a variety of media, Ms. Mallow is also working on a portrait series titled “I’m Seeing Someone,” culminating in April 2013.

The Gallery at The Fairmont will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00am – 5:00pm and by prior appointment. For more information, please call 1-214-502-5551.

About The Gallery at the Fairmont

The Gallery at The Fairmont is an artist-driven contemporary art space showcasing work by established and emerging artists in a variety of media. Gallery owner Zach Saucedo, a former Artist in Residence at The Fairmont Dallas, leads a passionate team committed to supporting the local and regional arts communities. Located on the lobby level of the historic hotel in the heart of the Dallas Arts District, The Gallery at The Fairmont is committed to encouraging the growth and development of its artists while exhibiting outstanding visual works intended to enrich the surrounding community. For more information, please call 1-214-502-5551 or visit http://thegalleryat.com.

About Fairmont Hotels and Resorts

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which will arrive in destinations as diverse as Jaipur, Kyiv and Manila in 2012, is a celebrated collection of more than 60 luxury properties around the globe, including Shanghai’s Fairmont Peace Hotel, The Plaza in New York, and Makkah Clock Royal Tower in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The luxury brand’s distinctive hotels offer a sense of heritage and sophistication, warm, engaging service and culturally rich experiences. A community and environmental leader, Fairmont is also recognized internationally for its responsible tourism practices and award-winning Green Partnership program. Fairmont is owned by FRHI Holdings Limited, a leading global hotel company with over 100 hotels under the Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel branded luxury private residences club, whole-ownership residences and serviced residences properties.  For more information or reservations, please call 1-800-441-1414 or visit fairmont.com.

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