Belmont and Valley House

After the art opening at the MAC, we continued the celebration at the wonderful old Belmont Hotel patio in Oak Cliff. Dallas put on its sparkles and we had BBQ and toasts and a very merry time. Thanks to Marcus Corley and Grace Cook for these pictures!



Out by the Belmont pool, Rick Brettell gave a gracious toast to all who helped with our exhibits. Most of the credit goes to him for making this happen. AND to Rick Geyer, for his longtime patronage of me and my work.

Then, opening number 2, Sunday the 11th at Valley House. The gardens wore their April best, and we had a hotdog fest. And 10 more pieces of Chlora's sculptures inside. Many thanks to Cheryl and Kevin Vogel for hosting this art picnic!

Art, nature, friends and family...who could ask for more?

The Porcelain Reformation

We did it. We got the long-awaited exhibit up at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary without a hitch, thanks to Rick Brettell. It is odd and exhiliarating at the same time--I never really thought this would happen, at least in my lifetime. What an absolute joy, on so many levels.

My whole family was there--and naturally, we four Henry girls did the loud sister act routine upon greeting one another in the gallery! The Lark ascended from San Diego! Adam from Austin, the Henry clan from Arkansas! And the faraway prize goes to Sherry & Marcus from San Mateo and Richard Osler from Victoria!

The crowd--300 or so-- was amazing and some of them even looked at art!
Ken and Mona Hale arrived on Saturday and his sumptous show of prints and collages was ready and waiting. Both of us were humbled and astonished by the quiet beauty of the installations of our galleries...seeing so much of one's work in one place is an experience every artist should have. And then fill up the room with friends and flattering strangers, and wow, Cloud Nine swept right in.

Installing Dallas

When I worked for the Dallas Museum of Art, nothing was as thrilling to me as what went on behind-the-scenes. So here is a peek of the installation of my work at the McKinney Ave. Contemporary. And out front, I'm in high cotton...just look at this incredible list of sponsors.

It took FIVE or was it SIX carloads to get the art to Dallas...major kudos to Adam Geyer for this! We had a wonderful mother/son trip up to Arkansas to retrieve several pieces from Tyson Foods and from my parents. Adam's muscles are almost as good as his brain!

Then, at the MAC, here's how it began, with a pile of beautiful unstained ash and poplar...the installation tables created by Gary Cunningham Architects. These are the most elegant Lincoln Logs ever. Gary and his assistant, Michael Bessner put together these tables with no hardware; they should patent this design!

At the same time, I was unpacking my porcelains, from a motley assortment of 50 or so cardboard boxes. A lot of tissue paper and bubble wrap! I did most of the art handling myself, but enjoyed the help of Leslie Connally, David McCollough and the MAC interns. Here, the Director, Liliana Bloch, and I pose beside the scarecrow, which was the first piece to go up.

The unpacking and installing took five days, which was good because it gave me mulling time. It also helped to have my sister Wendy come one afternoon for moral support!Later Rick arrived. Here he points out the poor little porcelain shoe that is the guinea pig for visitors who need to touch the art. We hope the shoe can still dance after this! As work came out of the boxes, it was fun to see juxtapostions gather.Unwrapping the five pieces from Tyson Foods in Arkansas, like the quilt, was like a family reunion.

Better yet, Adam and Larkin arrived, here posing by their graduation gift pieces, also exhibited.

Some gallery views, almost done, with a bit of tweaking on Saturday before the opening...sort of like Turner on "Varnishing Day", I did some touch-ups, and it all came together.

One long shelf, two low tables, two high tables, 2 small wall tables...46 (I think) pieces.

I couldn't be happier with the minimal, cool, humble feel of this installation.