Cedars Union Cohort IV: Material Realities at the Intersection of Process and Identity

From Dallas College:

“The Dallas College Gallery Program, in partnership with FGIII Fine Art Productions and sponsored by Hoque Global and Downtown Dallas, Inc., is pleased to present “Cedars Union Cohort IV: Material Realities at the Intersection of Process and Identity,” a dynamic group exhibition showcasing recent work from select artists of The Cedars Union, a vibrant arts incubator located in Dallas’ Cedars neighborhood.

Formed in 2015, The Cedars Union serves as a creative hub, offering artists access to private and shared studio spaces, state-of-the-art tools, and valuable resources for professional development. This exhibition features work from the fourth cohort of artists participating in The Cedars Union’s incubator program. Artists in the “Material Realities” exhibit will explore themes of identity, materiality, and artistic process through a diverse range of media, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, and installation.

Of the exhibition, Ahava Silkey-Jones, Vice Provost for the Dallas College School of CAED (Creative Arts, Entertainment and Design) says, “We are thrilled to be hosting the Cedars Union at SPACE. Their training ground for artists is a core component of the Dallas arts community and they continue to produce exceptional, unique work, reflective of the deep history of Dallas and uplifting and showcasing extraordinarily talented local artists.”

Featured artists include:

Cristina Alaya, Jean-Baptiste Assandre, Victoria Brill, Dakari Butler, Christian Cruz, Alec DeJesus, Arthur Fields, Lauren Fleniken, Christina Hanh, Sonny Martinez, Mikayla Magee, Dora Reynosa, and Leili Tavallaei. Emblematic of this collaboration is photographer Arthur Fields who is a current faculty member at the Brookhaven Campus of Dallas College, as well as a member of Cohort IV.

“It’s exciting to launch in 2025 with this amazing study and showcase of insightful art from The Cedars Union at SPACE at Adolphus Tower,” said Mike Hoque, CEO of Hoque Global. “We are eager to welcome the community into the gallery for thoughtful time and appreciation for the brilliance of the Dallas and North Texas community.”

Curated by Randall Garrett, Gallery and Art Collection Manager of Dallas College, with collaboration from Danielle Naylor, Director of Operations at The Cedars Union, Taylor Gibson, Manager of Programming at The Cedars Union, and Frankie Garcia III, owner/director of FGIII Fine Art Productions, this exhibition offers a compelling look at the intersection of process and identity in contemporary art.

The public is invited to attend the opening reception on Thursday, February 13, from 7 to 10 p.m., where they will have the opportunity to meet the artists and engage with the works on display. The exhibition will be open through March 21, 2025, with gallery hours on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m., and weekend visits available by appointment.”