East Dallas is more than a place — it’s a creative force. In celebration of that spirit, the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce Cultural Committee proudly presents a special Group Art Exhibition as part of MEET East Dallas, on view March 4–11 at Caddo Office Space in Lakewood. 

This curated showcase reflects the Chamber’s commitment to elevating local artists and championing the cultural vitality that strengthens our business community and neighborhood identity. 

Featuring original works by East Dallas creatives, the exhibition creates a bold and welcoming artistic presence for the March 4 event and invites visitors to experience the talent, stories, and perspectives shaping our district. Below, you’ll learn more about the participating artists and their works in the show. 

Make sure you stop by the event on March 4th from 5-7pm to see the works in person. The exhibition will be on display until March 11. 

Participating Artists 

Andrea Lamarsaude

alamarsaude@gmail.com

Website: www.andrealamarsaude.com

Instagram @andrealamarsaude 

Artist Statement

I am a mixed media artist and enjoy using a variety of mediums in my art; acrylics, oil pastels, watercolor, alcohol and India inks, hand-painted papers & collage elements, photos, image transfers, and mark-making tools.

I love combining and contrasting fluid, free flowing layers of watercolor with hand-painted papers and collage elements to create intuitive and expressive nature inspired works. My imagination, emotion and life experience guide me in my process to paint memorable creations that reflect joy.

I strive to emulate the beauty, splendor and exquisiteness of our world and the sense of happiness it can bring us.

My desire is to visually tell stories with my art and create paintings that reflect the moments that touch my life. My hope is that my work encourages conversations and brings positive, creative energy into the world.

Beverly Gadient

gadientglass@gmail.com

Instagram @beverlygadient

Artist Statement

Creating with kiln-formed glass combines patience, science and surrender mixed with joy, surprise and delight as the glass and heat combine. Every time I open the kiln and see the results, it’s like unwrapping a present.

Elijah Hanif

info@ehvarchive.com

Website: www.ehvarchive.com

Instagram @ehvarchive

Artist Statement

My creative process is driven by my relation to photography and by extension my camera. Like any strong relationship, it's a dynamic connection that manifests in a multitude of ways. As a naturally adventurous person I thrive in the spontaneity of life, exploring where my curiosity leads. In these moments my camera functions as a witness for when the WOW moment arrives. Some days photography is purely therapy for me and my camera serves as my therapist. It guides me in processing emotions and reminds me of the grand scale of the universe. Other times I’m more intentional and hunting for a specific visual. In these moments I wield my camera as a weapon to prove my hunt victorious. There are even times I feel like a mad scientist, and my camera is my loyal henchmen as I break the laws of photography in pursuit of prestige. In time I’ve learned that all of these approaches are valid motivations worthy of contributing to the Elijah Hanif Visual Archive.

Erica Pepper

haynie.erica@gmail.com

Instagram @ericajeanartanddesign

Artist Statement

The "She Is" series focuses on the journey of self-discovery and highlights the interconnectedness of women, emphasizing that many experience similar challenges. Women can embody various roles such as being weak, strong, mothers, sisters, friends, warriors, and survivors, creators and visionaries. "She" represents every woman; she symbolizes both you and me, embodying shared experiences and the essence of all us.

Erin Reeves

erin@makeshiftphoto.com

Website www.makeshiftphoto.com

Instagram @erinreevesmsp

Artist Statement

Erin Reeves is a photographer and handmade bookmaker who also enjoys working with collage and textiles. She lives and works in the vibrant Dallas neighborhood of Deep Ellum.

Giselle Castro- Brightenburg

gisellecastroart@gmail.com

Website www.GiselleCastroArt.com

Instagram @gisellecastroart

Artist Statement

My work celebrates organic forms and the intricate patterns of nature, inspired by the fleeting, ever- changing qualities of life. Each painting serves as a personal journal, reflecting your emotions and lived experiences. The titles come from meaningful fragments of communication such as texts, emails, letters, music, and literature that resonate with me and ground my creative process. Through thoughtful explorations of color, pattern, and form, I aim to capture both the beauty of the natural world and the depth of human connection, inviting viewers to reflect on the relationships and experiences that bind us all.

Jacque Forsher

jaxxartist@yahoo.com

Website www.jacqueforsher.com

Instagram @jforsher    

Artist Statement

My artwork is an exploration of contemporary style, often figurative and frequently including symbolism. I find inspiration in words, phrases, lyrics, religious ideas, cultural differences, friends and family.

Jane Du

jdu.jane@gmail.com

Instagram @artbyjanedu

Artist Statement

I fell in love with East Dallas the way most people do — one neighborhood at a time. As a local artist and longtime resident, I capture the people, places, and spirit of our community through whimsical watercolor and ink illustrations.

My Explore Dallas guidebook and print series follow two unlikely tour guides — a pair of adventurous

hedgehogs named for my own two boys — as they discover the landmarks, hidden gems, and everyday magic that make Dallas home. Each piece is hand-painted in my signature style: warm, detailed, and just a little bit playful.

Whether you're a Dallas native or newly arrived, I hope my work makes you see this city the way I do — with curiosity, affection, and a sense of wonder.

Jeremie Fletcher Bourcy

jeremie.fletcher@gmail.com

Website www.fletchbodesigns.com

Instagram @jfletchboart

Artist Statement

I am a Mixed Media Artist, Illustrator and Graphic Designer located in East Dallas. My projects combine imagination and playfulness and many of my pieces revolve around nature and music.

Jim Hastings

jhastings36@gmail.com

Instagram @Jhastings40

Artist Statement

Drawing and painting is literally my way of marking time and recording my life. My ideas about living, and reality are always intersecting in the artwork, sometimes with odd or unexpected results. The inevitability of change and my efforts to visually record, interpret, and learn from those experiences give me hope; hope to love, trust and grow as an individual and an artist. To leave a tangible, honest record of that growth is what continues to motivate me.

as an individual and an artist. To leave a tangible, honest record of that growth is what continues to motivate me.

Karen Jacobi

karenjarte@gmail.com

Website www.karenjacobi.com

Instagram @karenjarte

Artist Statement

My work explores everyday spaces and how we experience them - the relationship between people and the places they inhabit.

With a background in illustration, my work has its basis in realism and is shaped by my understanding of how we influence a place and vice versa.

Keith Williams

keith_lw@yahoo.com

Instagram @keithwilliams.art

Artist Statement

My art deals with figures and environments. I incorporate images of people, animals, and landscapes to create visual narratives. The ideas: progression, time, and movement influence my work. I feel that art should possess skill as well as a reason. When I create art, I think about deconstructing form. I paint like a sculptor. By thinking in the round, I am able create a complex composition. I consider the different planes in space. The concept of breaking form down and reconfiguring it is integral to my drawing and painting. The subject matter in my art is reactionary to my concerns with the world and things going on around me. Psychological tension is an important factor in my painting and drawing that helps engage the viewer.

Cubist and surrealist notions heavily influence me. Classical artwork, including baroque, art is important to me.

Les Nini

lnini7018@gmail.com

Artist Statement

I am a retired Graphic Artist/Print Shop Manager at UT Southwestern Medical Center. My hobbies include Computer Illustration, Cement Castings, and Wood Carvings. I am a member of the East Dallas Arts District and the Left Bank Artist Group.

Marianne Gargour

mgargour@mac.com

Website www.mgargour.com

Instagram @Marianne_gargour

Artist Statement

There exists a space between our rational world and that of a more abstract, dreamlike connected state. I consider this to be the glittering realm of creativity where passion and authenticity lie. This intangible process of art making keeps calling me to explore and witness a timeless place where all possibilities exist.

I fearlessly walk a tightrope between technique and whimsy, between rigor and complete abandon. It is thrilling to create something solid and then break it open in hopes of exposing some intangible truth. My artistic vision emerges from this «in-between» space, that bridges the world of representation with that of intuition.

I believe that creativity is our birthright. The act of making art can play a pivotal role in uncovering our creativity and inspiring our life. By engaging and connecting with all of life are able to connect with ourselves and with life in a deep and personal way. This passion and purpose magically transform all aspects of our lives.

Marty & Richard Ray

mraypots@gmail.com

Website www.martyray.com

Instagram @mraypots

Artist Statement

Artists Marty and Richard Ray married and moved to east Dallas in 1971 where they still live and maintain art studios. Richard is a painter. Marty is a ceramic artist. They sometimes collaborate to create paintings on canvas. This involves an initial line drawing by Marty and then addition of color and texture by Richard. Often these works show people looking at abstracted paintings, sculpture and pottery. The work is a joyful celebration of art thru color, line and pattern.

In 2019 the Rays were featured in an exhibition titled Shared Visions in Clay & Paint at Craighead Green Gallery. One written review of the show stated, “The work carries memories of place and time and the inventiveness of a distinct artist team.”

Marty and Richard have been part of the White Rock Lake Artists' Studio Tour since 1992 opening their studios to the public each October.

Rachel Larlee

info@rachellarleecreates.com

Website www.rachellarleecreates.com

Instagram @rachellarleestudio

Artist Statement

Based in Dallas, Texas, with roots in England, my work is shaped by a lifelong relationship with making. My pieces grow out of a deep lineage of fiber crafts — embroidery, watercolor, lace making, dressmaking, felting — practices I was surrounded by as a child and that continue to connect me to both those still living and those who have passed. Each stitch carries memory, presence, and inheritance.

Working in mixed media allows me to hold contrast gently. Watercolor brings movement, uncertainty, and surrender; stitching introduces intention, care, and restraint. One resists control, the other demands it.

Together they mirror life itself — a constant dance between chaos and order, release and repair.

Richard Ray

raystudios@sbcglobal.net

Website www.richardraypainter.com

Artist Statement

Art has been part of my life since childhood. I’ve worked with all media, however brushing color onto canvas to paint what I see or dream about is my primary art focus. Themes for paintings change frequently but a long-time subject has been White Rock Lake and the city of my birth, Dallas. I’m inspired by everything I see at White Rock, the people, the night sky, sunsets, docks and fishermen and of course the sailboats and birds.

In the 2nd grade Miss St. John praised one of my drawings. This may be the spark that led to a lifetime with art. I’m glad God has kept me happy, well and busy with art. How busy have I been with art? I’ve used the same wooden paint pallet and easel since the 1960s. The pallet is piled high with hardened paint and weighs a ton. 

Robyn Jorde

robynjorde@att.net

Website www.robynjorde.com

Instagram @robynjorde

Artist Statement

My artwork is almost always connected in some way with a place, whether it is an actual landscape, or a composition based on characteristic plants, geology, or human activity. They are all places I have experienced, making sketches and photographs for my source material. I'm especially interested in interpreting the landscape and environment where I live in East Dallas where I sketch on location every week.

Ross von Rosenberg

rossvon7design@yahoo.com

Website www.rossvon7design.com

Instagram @rossvon7

Artist Statement

These selected works are from Fracture. Fracture is a collection of work about the universal human forces, external and internal, that pull us apart or bind us together. Fracture is a collection in 2 parts. These pieces are from part 2, which represent internal expression as abstracted emotion that struggles to maintain balance and control within one’s self.

Sharon O'Callahgan Shero

sharon@sharonocallaghanshero.com

Website sharonocallaghanshero.com

Instagram @sharonocallaghanshero/

Artist Statement

Narratives have always been my compass whenever I create a portfolio. I often call on my personal experiences using my art to revenge my discomfit with irony, sarcasm, and humor.

I begin with a “germ” of a concept and since I prefer not to storybook the work, the series often evolves into an unexpected conclusion, with plot and image twists, turns, and the occasional “aha!” moment along the way.

As an artist, it seems I am influenced by every artist I come upon; I am, however, particularly indebted to Francis Bacon, Joseph Cornell, and Elliott Hundley. And since my work is suffused in narratives, I must recognize the Brothers Grimm, Lewis Carroll, the folk customs of rural Louisiana, and my mother, Louise O’Callaghan, who early-on captivated my imagination with her Irish tales.

Sherry Houpt

sherryhoupt@gmail.com

Website www.sherryhoupt.com

Instagram @sherryhoupt

Artist Statement

I am a painter, specializing in “plein air” and studio landscapes in oil and watercolor. Exploring the outdoors is an essential part of my nature. My paintings all begin with a hike.

It may be through the rugged Rocky Mountains, a seaside vista in Maine or Scotland , or in the hills of Tuscany. Often the trail may be close to my home in North Texas. Walking is a way to be in the present moment, ever mindful of light, shadow and the infinite diversity of nature. I embrace the process of observation, sketching, and designing to create visual harmony in a complex world.

Silvia Thornton

silviathornton@sbcglobal.net

Website www.silviathornton.com

Instagram @silviathornton2023

Artist Statement

My imagery usually comes from an excitement with meeting a person, nature, fascination with a place or simply a shape or color. These are the driving influences that feed my impulse to create. My challenge is to translate this emotional response into an expressive body of work. This process allows me to learn about myself, my creativity and how I fit within the web of our existence.

Steve Reeves

steve@makeshiftphoto.com

Website www.makeshiftphoto.com

Instagram @stevereevesmsp

Artist Statement

Steve Reeves is a photographer working with both vintage and modern photographic processes. He is a long-time resident of the vibrant Dallas neighborhood of Deep Ellum.

Terri Thoman

territhoman@me.com

Website www.territhoman.wixsite.com/fineprintstudio

Instagram @fine_print_studio

Artist Statement

As a printmaker, I am versed in many traditional processes, with my focus on Green alternative techniques. By far, my favorite process is the Relief print, specifically, the woodcut.

The Animals of the Chinese Zodiac allow some whimsy into my works. I have often referred to this body as my therapy work. As I have become quite intimate with these creatures, they give me the freedom to explore the black carving process with abandon, using the gouges and knives muck like a painter uses the brush.

The Chinese Zodiac come in a variety of sizes, from tiny 2" sq relief engravings to 48"x30" woodcuts. It is the act of carving that brings each animal to life. As a printmaker, I strive for a freshness in the mark of the tool, creating evidence of life.

VET 

artcycletx@gmail.com

Website www.artcycleclubtx.com

Instagram @artcycleclubtx

Artist Statement

My first experiences with art were drawing and painting. I later applied these principles of creating to work with discarded items. Little did I realize the impact it would have on my art journey. Many outdated, unread, and used items are stripped, shredded, and often dumped into the landfill. Using found objects gives me the freedom to transform my artwork into intriguing sculptural designs and extend their usefulness as an art form.

Woody Glenn

woody.glenn@gmail.com

Website www.woodandwater.net

Artist Statement

Abstract and semi abstract have always been my favorite styles of painting. I enjoy watercolor because it is loose, less structured and always seems to surprise me. For those of us who are less patient (and less talented), watercolor painting is fast paced, less controlled and more spontaneous.

Artist/Art Exhibition List

Andrea Lamarsaude 

1. Where Light Lingers, 8x10 in, acrylic, oil sticks and collage on mixed media paper, mounted on board. $225

2. Where the Quiet Blooms, 24x24 in., collage, oil stick and colored pencil on board. $650

3. Regarde le Ciel (Look at the Sky), 8x10x2 in., hand painted papers, photos of France taken by artist, vintage French stamps, dried flowers and gold metallic and flower embellishments. $395

4. Ode to Chateau Orquevaux, 9x12x2 in., collage, oil stick and colored pencil on board. $425

Beverly Gadient 

5. Blue Sky, Blue Bird, 5x5 in., fused glass. $35

6. Out on a Limb, 5.5x7 in., fused glass. $45  

Elijah Hanif 

7. Social Construct, 24x36 in., digital photography on framed photo paper. $250

8. Deep Warp Vol. 1, 24x36 in., digital photography on framed photo paper. $275

9. DallasWarp Vol.1, 24x36 in., digital photography on framed photo paper. $300

Erica Pepper 

10. She is Vibrant, 24X20 in., acrylic, paper, collage, $600        

11. She is a Creator, 24 x 30 in., acrylic, collage, $600

12. She is a Warrior, 20x 24 in., acrylic, collage, $600

13. She is a Survivor, 20x24 in., acrylic, collage, $500

Erin Reeves 

14. Abandoned, 15x17x2 in., photography, archival pigment print, framed and matted. $250

15. Inconvenience, 15x17x2 in., photography, archival pigment print, framed & mounted. $250

Giselle Castro-Brightenburg 

16. For Rilke, 24x24 in., oil on canvas. $1,200

17. For Van Gogh, 24x24 in., oil on board. $1,800

18. Fragile Beauty, 24.5x24.5 in., oil on board. $2,000

19. The Memory of Scent, 24x24 in., oil on canvas. $1,500

Jacque Forsher 

20. Three Moons, 11x14x1.5 in., acrylic on canvas. $125

21. Hope Full, 20x28x1.5 in., acrylic on canvas. $250

22. War is Not the Answer, 28x20x1.5 in., acrylic on canvas. $250

23. Sink or Swim, 24x24x2 in., acrylic on canvas. $250

Jane Du 

24. Dallas Skyline, 11x14 in., print, 21x25 framed, watercolor and Ink (print), $65

25. White Rock Lake, 11x14 in., print (21x25 in. framed), watercolor and ink on paper. $65

26. Lakewood Theater, 11x14 in., print (21x25 in. framed), watercolor and ink on paper. $65

27. Mockingbird Station, 11x14 in. print (21x25 in., framed), watercolor and ink on paper. $65

Jeremie Fletcher Bourcy 

28. Spring Awaits, 8x12x1.5 in., acrylic on wood, $150

29. Burnt Bouquet, 11x9.5x.5 in., wood burn on wood. $250

Jim Hastings 

30. Sanctuary, 13x17x1.5 in., acrylic on canvas. $2,000

31. Always Moving, 17x21x1.5 in., acrylic on canvas. $2,500    

Karen Jacobi                            

32. Golden Boy, 21x28 in., watercolor, $375

33. Lakewood Theater, 21x28 in., watercolor, $400

34. Jefferson Blvd., 20x27 in., watercolor and cold wax. $400    

Keith Williams 

35. Magenta Sky Pelican, 36x36 in., oil on canvas. $800

36. Candice Horned Serpent fem, 18x24 in., drawing on paper. $175      

Les Nini 

37. Melvin (Image 0182), 22x26x2 in., computer illustration/print. NFS

Marianne Gargour 

38. Bright Day in France, 11x14x2 in. oil on canvas. $675

Marty & Richard Ray 

39. First Place at the State Fair, 20x20 in., acrylic on canvas. $700

40. Life Lines, 24x30 in., acrylic on canvas. $800

Rachel Larlee

41. Tree of Life, 38x58 in., acrylic, gold foil and thread. $1,900

42. Threaded Memories, 36x36x2 in., mixed media on raw canvas. $2,500        

Richard Ray    
43. Nine PM Bike Ride, 24x30 in., oil on canvas. $950

44. Jogging at Sunset, 24x24 in., acrylic on canvas. $950

Robyn Jorde 

45. Faded Star, 14x21 in., watercolor on gessoed paper. $560

46. Nebel und Feuer, 9x12 in., acrylic on panel. $400

47. O Mio Babbino Caro, 10x10 in. $400

48. The Dry Season, 22x27 in., mixed water media on paper mounted on panel. $750

Ross von Rosenberg 

49. The Melting Pool, 36x48 in., acrylic on canvas. $5,500                               

50. The Pattern Won't Hold, 24x24 in., acrylic on canvas. $875 

51. Beginning the Beginning of, 24x24 in., acrylic on canvas. $875

Sharon O'Callahgan Shero 

52. Run for Your Life, 24x7.5x2 in., photomontage | photography. NFS

53. Dirge for a Jay, 24x7.5x2 in., photomontage | photography. $400

54. Wheel of Misfortune, 16x16x2 in., toy camera photography with multiple exposures. $300

55. The Vision of the Gilded Bullock, 30x22x2 in., photomontage | photography. $500

Sherry Houpt 

56. Listening to Aspens, 17x14 in., watercolor on Arches paper. $400

57. Fishing at Cottonwood Lake, 14x11 in., oil on linen panel. $500

58. Daybreak at the Mountain House, 14x11 in., oil on linen panel. $500          

59. Wave at Otter Point, 12x10 in., oil on linen panel. $500

Silvia Thornton 

60. Verdant Green, 24x24x2 in., encaustic, shellac, oil paint on birch board. $1,200

61. Rooted in Memory, 36x25x2 in., rust, oil pastel, wax on board. $2,600

Steve Reeves -

62. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, 21x32x2 in., photography, archival pigment print, framed & matted. $350

63. Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, CA, 24x32x2 in., photography, archival pigment print, framed & matted. $350

Terri Thoman 

64. Thunderhead, 22x30 in., relief, woodcut, reduction block on Rives BFK paper. $350              

65. Curiosity, 20x16 in., relief, woodcut, multi-block on paper. $200

66. Moon Rabbit, 22x30 in., relief, woodcut, reduction block on BFK Paper. $350

VET 

67. On Golden Pond, 36x24x4 in., mixed media on canvas. $500

68. 3 Koi Pond, 20x16 in., acrylic on canvas. $300

69. Five Chicks, 17x14 in., acrylic on canvas. $300

70. Stars and Stripes Forever, 14x38x2 in., mixed media on board. $350

Woody Glenn 

71. Seascape, 27x23x2 in., watercolor on paper. $600

72. Blue Trees in Snow, 19x15.5 in., watercolor on paper. NFS

73. Evening Sun, 19x16 in., watercolor on paper. NFS

74. 4 Trees, 17x14 in., watercolor on paper. $325

The Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce Supports and Elevates Local Artists

The Chamber’s Arts & Culture Committee is committed to strengthening the connection between East Dallas businesses and local artists. By pairing business owners with artists to display original work in their places of business, we help expand visibility for artists while enriching the spaces where our community gathers and works.

If you are interested in showcasing local art at your business — at no cost — please contact:
Chuck Kobdish
chuck.kobdish@eastdallaschamber.com

Get Involved with the Chamber

The Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to supporting business growth, community partnerships, education, and cultural development across East Dallas.

To learn more about our work and our committees — including the Arts & Culture Committee — please visit:
www.eastdallaschamber.com

You may also contact:
Megan Dennen, CEO
972-523-4495
megan.dennen@eastdallaschamber.com

Sponsor Recognition

Many thanks to Fantastic Moves (fantasticmoves.com) for supporting the arts in East Dallas.

Chamber Member Art Organizations
Friends of the Artists
Art on Main (artonmaindallas.com)
East Dallas Arts District (eastdallasartsdistrict.org)
Friends of the Bath House Cultural Center (friendsofthebathhouse.org)