Some days Dallas' Design District bustles with activity: With gallery walks, markets and on a busy night, Dragon Street can feel like a block party. But millenials be damned, these art galleries are out to turn a profit, thus varying levels of disapproving looks a gallery owner gives a young person when they walk in wearing $40 jeans and Chucks.
But not all galleries share this disdain. This weekend, when a host of Dragon Street galleries open new shows, here are six galleries where you won't feel left out.
Gallerie Noir
Gallerie Noir owner and interior designer Melissa Enriquez is, in a word, cool. Last month she hosted the Uber Dallas 1 year anniversary party. Her space is part interior design store, part gallery. The current exhibit is Histories in Africa, a collection of American photojournalist Elizabeth L. Gilbert's black and white photography from 20 years of chronicling Africa. This exhibit would be at home in a world-class museum, but it's hanging above chic rugs at Gallerie Noir through November 16. Open Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 1525 Dragon Street.
Mary Tomás Gallery
Alberto and Mary Tomás might be the most charming couple on Dragon Street. Everyone that walks into their gallery is treated like family. On Saturday, they are hosting an artist reception for the solo show of Johannes Boekhoudt's work. 1110 Dragon Street.
Photographs Do Not Bend It's very comfortable in the PDNB gallery. Staff members greet you, pour you a glass of wine, answer questions and genuinely want you to get to know the artists on display. Dedicated entirely to photographs, there's always something new to learn in this gallery. Saturday, the gallery hosts an opening reception for a retrospective exhibition of Dallas photographer Chris Regas. 1202 Dragon Street, Ste 103
Circuit 12 Contemporary
Gina and Dustin Orlando are two of the hippest gallery owners in the Design District. They curate with a very fresh, pop art perspective and a lot of bright, neon colors. On opening and closing nights, there is usually a dj spinning house music. Saturday night there is a closing night party for Tripper, a solo show by Josh Reames that explores the profundity of a psychedelic trip. 1130 Dragon St. Ste 150.
Red Arrow Contemporary One time when I went to Red Arrow Contemporary on opening night, there was a candy bar and sangria. The Stafford family knows how to run a fun, friendly gallery. With an emphasis on artists with distinct perspectives, this gallery hosts a variety of exhibits from photographs to paintings to a maze of inflatable sculptures. This weekend Death Do Us Part opens, featuring Marshall Harris' large scale, Texas-inspired drawings. 1130 Dragon Street, Ste 110.
Laura Rathe Fine Art
There are two perks to gallery openings: free wine and a chance to meet the artist. The first solo exhibition of Meredith Pardue's colorful, mixed-media paintings take over the two-story gallery space of Laura Rathe Fine Art.1130 Dragon St. #130