An evening with The Mountaintop and Jorge's Tex Mex

Has your curious nature ever led you to question the thoughts and emotions of Dr. Luther King Jr. the night of his brutal assignation? Dallas Theater Center’s The Mountaintop tells the story of this civil rights leader’s last hours on earth. The thought provoking Broadway hit and 2010 winner of Britain’s Olivier Award for Best New Play portrays Dr. King in a very raw manner; without the mythology associated with his modern memory. The setting takes place in Memphis’ Lorraine motel, and audience members will experience an intimate production, sitting just a few feet from the talent on stage.

The Mountaintop provides insight and context into the times of one of America’s most infamous assignations. It has been described as “…unexpected, provocative, and, at times, dangerous…” (Nancy Churnin The Dallas Morning News). Purchase your tickets (available now through Nov. 15) to experience a remarkable performance starring Hassan El-Amin as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Swing by Jorge’s Tex Mex café and make a night of it with tasty hand-crafted margaritas and sizzling fajitas. Skip the Uber! Jorge’s is located right here in One Arts Plaza and offers a variety of house specials, classic Tex-Mex faves and an assortment of tacos and cocktails. You can view their tasty menu here. 

Photo by Karen Almond

Aurora at One Arts Plaza and JM Gallery was a HUGE success!

AURORA-Powered by Reliant drew record-breaking crowds to One Arts Plaza and JM Gallery. The plaza hosted a phenomenal light installation as part of the Dallas AURORA lights festival co-founded in 2013 by local artists Shane Pennington and Joshua King. An estimated 50 thousand people strolled through the Dallas Arts District, awestruck by the expansive light, sound, performance and new media event that stretched across the 68-acre district from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. October 16, 2015.

Istanbul artist, Memo Akten’s installation known as Simple Harmonic Motion was housed in One Arts Plaza, garnering the attention of passersby and guests dining on the patios of Tei An, Jorge’s Tex Mex Café, and Proof + Pantry. The vivid light beams perfectly outlining the perimeter of the plaza’s fountains, shot straight up into the sky overlapping each other as they met in the moonlight. The dramatic music, a collection of simple, multilayered rhythms accompanied the neon blue lights. Viewers were encouraged to play with the lights, waving their hands and arms to create movement in the installation and disrupt the stiff pattern of the lasers.

One Arts Plaza hosted a “Be Social” contest for viewers inspired by the brilliant installation with four gift cards up for grabs, one to each One Arts Plaza restaurant. The four winners were chosen for their photos of Simple Harmonic Motion uploaded to their Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts using the hashtags #OneArtsMemo and #ArtAtOneArts and tagging @OneArtsPlaza.

Just a few feet away, JM Gallery hosted an award reception for its current juried exhibition, “Illumination,” which features 36 pieces crafted by members of the Texas Sculpture Association. A panel of three expert judges including Jed Morse (Chief Curator of Nasher Sculpture Center), Gail Sachson (Art & Seek and Ask Me About Art) and Mark LaRoe (prolific collector and Managing Director at Deutsche Bank) each selected 12 works submitted by dozens of artists, making the exhibition an eclectic collection ranging from contemporary abstract designs to antique masterpieces engineered from repurposed materials.

The reception drew dozens of art aficionados wanting to meet the artists behind the sculptures on display at JM Gallery. Gallery director Chris Heinlen announced the winning pieces unanimously chosen by the jurors with Octopus Hand by Robertus Van der Wage taking Honorable Mention, Agreements by Rebecca Boatman receiving Runner Up, and Jim Bowman’s Eschatology of Radiology welcoming Best in Show.

JM Gallery Owner Michael Heinlen congratulated all the winners, and with Red Zingari in hand, the artists continued to mingle with guests and friends, explaining the inspiration and vision behind each piece. By the end of the evening, three works had been sold, and a few conversations leading to solo exhibitions were all abuzz.

“Illumination” will be on display now through October 31. All works are available for purchase and can be viewed five days a week. The gallery is open Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

People observe Akten's mesmerizing installation. 

Akten's Simple Harmonic Motion lit up the entire plaza. 

Terri and Jim Mace stand beside his piece. 

Terry and Jill Nonnemacher observe the beautiful sculptures.

Everyone is talking about Aurora... Join JM Gallery for a special reception!

It’s AURORA week at One Arts Plaza! Join us Friday evening from 6-7 p.m. at JM Gallery for a special reception announcing the winners of Illumination. Distinguished judges Jed Morse (Chief Curator of Nasher Sculpture Center), Gail Sachson (Art & Seek and Ask Me About Art) and Mark LaRoe (Managing Director at Deutsche Bank and prolific art collector) chose the pieces that will be awarded Best in Show, Runner Up and Honorable Mention. All pieces on display are available for purchase.

Illumination, JM Gallery’s juried exhibition on display through October 31, features works by members of the Texas Sculpture Association, which promotes the role of sculpture in shaping the character and spirit of our urban atmosphere. Meet the artists behind each unique work and enjoy bubbles and nibbles. Venture onto the plaza for a glimpse of Memo Akten Simple Harmonic Motion, the visual/sound installation at One Arts Plaza in partnership with Dallas’ AURORA festival.

Reserve your spot on the patio of One Arts Plaza’s outstanding restos:  Proof + Pantry, Tei-An or Jorge’s Tex-Mex Cafe and enjoy fabulous dishes, cocktails and the phenomenal light installations transforming our city.  

One Arts Plaza will host Aurora Light Show!

This Friday kicks off Aurora, the contemporary art exhibition that takes place in the Dallas Arts Districts. It features interactive and immersive light performances in astonishing public places. Visitors are presented with a chance to see their ordinary urban environment transformed into a contemporary art piece.

One Arts Plaza is very excited to be participating in this new media playground! The plaza will host Simple Harmonic Motion by artist Memo Aktens. Inspired by his childhood in Istanbul, Aktens as created an intricate and collaborative light display that will wash over our entire plaza. You and your friends won’t want to miss this highly acclaimed installation!

In addition to hosting this beautiful art piece, One Arts Plaza’s restaurants will be open for dinner. Dine at Jorge’s Tex Mex Café, Proof +Pantry and Tei An throughout the night. Parking is also available at our convenient parking lots. Stop by our light show this Friday from 7 P.M.- 2 A.M.

Join us Tomorrow at Yolk and support Hope’s Door

This Saturday, bring your friends to YOLK at One Arts Plaza in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and pre-game before the Red River Rivalry beginning at 7a.m.!  You’ll enjoy killer pancakes, French toast, breakfast tacos and more with your own bespoke cocktails because it’s BYOB! The best part – you’ll be supporting Hope’s Door, a leading North Texas organization that serves individuals and families facing domestic violence.  

One Saturday every month, YOLK partners with one worthy organization making a difference in our community by donating 10% of the entire day’s profits to that one charity. If you are a 501c3 non-profit (or you would like to nominate one), interested in our monthly brunch program, please contact us! We are already scheduling 2016 brunch dates.

So get your juices flowing at YOLK (cue the mimosas and bloody Mary’s) before you hop in your Uber and head to Fair Park.

Mission Statement:

Hope’s Door serves to offer prevention and intervention services for individuals and families who are affected by domestic violence. It works to provide educational programs as well as to enable the Dallas and surrounding community to respond.

Learn more about Hope’s Door and become a part of a great cause!