Nobody's putting distinguished art scholar, patron and purveyor Dr. Ted Pillsbury out to pasture, although his graceful exit as managing partner in Pillsbury and Peters Fine Art did land him at the Meadows. Southern Methodist University's Meadows Museum snagged Pillsbury as its new director this summer and opens its fall season with two free special exhibitions from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Of Spanish Master Drawings from Dutch Collections (1500-1900), Pillsbury says, "The majority of these delicate works of art, which are outstanding examples of Spanish draftsmanship, have rarely been exhibited before, even in Holland." Also opening is Images of Human Tragedy in Black & White, featuring 70 works by Dallas photographer Jeffrey Gusky documenting modern images of the Holocaust aftermath in Poland and the museum's collection of Francisco de Goya's prints called Disasters of War. Call the Meadows, 5900 Bishop Blvd., at 214-768-2516. --Annabelle Massey Helber
9/14
Bang a Gong
IndieClub gets it on
Possibly spurred by Chuck Barris' Confessions of a Dangerous Mind but more likely just another example of the "Aren't those '70s wacky and cool!" mentality, The Gong Show is dusted off this Sunday at the Prestonwood Studio Movie Grill. Our eyes aren't rolling at another log of retro irony being added to the raging pop fire because: 1. The event benefits the Dallas Children's Charity, 2. The Gong Show actually is wacky and cool. IndieClub.com--a worldwide organization/resource for independent filmmakers--sponsors the event with Pugs and Kelly (who count as one judge in the press release...hmm), plus a former Miss USA and a comedian gonging contestants' five-minute video entries. Edna Jean Robinson, a buxom Bono crossed with the falsetto guy from Fine Young Cannibals in trailerpark drag, hosts. Sounds "crazy enough to work," actually. The Studio Movie Grill is at 5405 Belt Line Road. Call 972-991-6684. --Matt Hursh
9/14
Shades of Gray
Be it neon, pastel, fluorescent, primary, Day-Glo, it's a world full of pigment. Call it tint, hue, RGB, CMYK, there's no escaping color. But, every now and again, it's refreshing to rest the ol' rods and cones on some less kaleidoscopic but no less vibrant offerings like, maybe, the black and white photography of David Donovan, Michael Lyon and Mahesh Brown. The work of these three photographers focuses on thematic elements in black and white plus the exploration of texture, form and photographic process. Hey, who ever said monochrome was monotonous? Let Donovan, Lyon and Brown soothe your retinas at Ligne Roset, 1617 Hi Line Drive, Suite 190, through November 29. The opening reception is September 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call 214-742-2300. --Michelle Martinez
9/13
Bet on This
DMA's party and auction is Platinum
From Martin Luther King Jr. to Johnny Rotten, reactionary figures who lead societal change (or at least shifts in perception) are a constant yet necessary source of both controversy and inspiration. Time or theme notwithstanding, the omnipresent question of "Why?" has kept us from being mired in complacency. And while the Dallas Museum of Art's Inaugural Platinum Party this Saturday evening isn't exactly progressive, it's refreshing in its embrace of "art nouveau" in the face of Trash Chic. Sure, the movement's naturalistic, decorative style over staid historic visuals won't top anyone's rebellion list, but a classy night of drinking, dining and dancing (courtesy of accomplished retro swing/blues outfit Hash Brown) should squelch any fundamental conflicts. Oh, who are we kidding. You wanna get gussied up and party at the DMA, right? "This celebration is a kaleidoscope of experiences overflowing with sensuality and beauty, joy and optimism," says the president of The Professional Members League, whose organization sponsors this gala event. The DMA is at 1717 N. Harwood St. Call 214-954-0234. --Matt Hursh
9/12
Light Bright
When September brings the beginning glimpses of fall, winds blow cooler, leaves fade from greens to yellows and people are more inclined to venture out to art galleries. Or maybe it's because Hurricane Harbor is closed. Either way it's great for Sonya Shinn Edwards, Alycen Cuellar and Anne Hines. These three Texas ladies launch the first fine art exhibit Source of Light at Debris Gallery's annual fall series this Friday. Cuellar uses natural elements tied into a contemporary feel, some materials dating more than 100 million years old, while Edwards conveys a feeling of weightlessness and serenity in her pieces. Altoids tins and saints dabbed with acrylic or watercolor are prevalent in Hines' mixed media. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., artists will be on hand to discuss their work and inspirations. Debris Gallery is located in the Dallas Design District at 1205 Slocum St. Call 214-752-8855. --Desirée Henry
9/13
Shower to Shower
Gallery Night is such a Drain
Few things normally found on shower curtains constitute art. While the possibilities of what could appear there are fairly limitless (and often just plain gross), things like soap scum and mildew are not often the chosen media for visual artists. That is, unless the artist is John Frost. Frost uses translucent vinyl shower curtains as the starting points for the work in his current exhibition All Things Drain. They form a basis that falls somewhere between canvas and sculpting clay. Enhanced with soap and water, the creations are both paintings and still very much their own objects saturated with Frost's daily rituals. Wash away that hatred of soap scum at Gallery 414, 414 Templeton, Fort Worth, as the show continues through October 12, with an opening reception from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday. Call 817-336-6595. --Merritt Martin
