Art Exhibitions & Art Shops to Visit This Weekend

SOFT4SOFT
Housed in a storefront in Exposition Park, Beefhaus is one of the city’s few artist-run spaces keeping things fresh. Recently reinvigorated with a swath of new artists at the helm, the space is off to a roaring start. This weekend, Pierre Krause curates SOFT4SOFT, a group show featuring artists Kyle Hide, Judy Locovozzi, Ronika McClain, Lauren Cook, Grace Miceli and Kelly Surdo. During the opening there will be a performance by local musician mothface. Show up at 833 Exposition Ave. at 7 p.m. Saturday. More at artbeef.blogspot.com.

Belonging
It’s hard enough to feel comfortable in your own culture, let alone learn a new one with the hope that someday you’ll feel like you belong. In the new exhibition at Ro2 Art (110 N. Akard St.), Belonging, Korean artists Bumin Kim, Yuni Lee and Jieun Lim use various media to explore the idea of trying to belong to multiple cultures. With string, thread, wire, cable ties and holi powder, the three artists have created colorful patterns and shapes for what promises to be a compelling show. The opening reception is from 7-10 p.m. Friday. More at ro2art.com.
Cowboys of Waggoner Ranch
Fort Worth-based photographer Jeremy Enlow was given access to Waggoner Ranch, the largest working ranch in the nation, to capture portraits of Cow Camp workers who rely upon the same skills required of ranchers in 1854. Some of these cowboys are just passing through and others stay for decades. Unlike many Americans, these people are still struggling with nature. They get up before sunrise, often working in challenging weather and struggling with rattlesnakes and ornery cattle. Enlow will sign copies of his book, Cowboys of the Waggoner, during an opening reception at 4 p.m. Friday at PDNB Gallery (1202 Dragon St.). Running through December 19, the exhibit features a selection of the book’s vivid images. For more info, visit pdnbgallery.com.

As Above, So Below
Waxahachie is a short drive from Dallas. But if you’re headed there for an art show at Webb Gallery (209 W. Franklin St., Waxahachie) it may feel like you’ve entered a different world. This space, focused on the work of self-taught artists, consistently shows art in wildly wonderful contrast to the “fine art” that can be found on the walls of most Dallas galleries. They call themselves “hawkers of fun,” which you’ll likely find in spades at the opening party from 4-7 p.m. Sunday. In addition to the art on the walls, there will be a book signing by Lynne Adele and Bruce Lee Webb, who have chronicled the art of the American Fraternal Society from 1850-1930 in As Above, So Below. Admission is free. More at webbartgallery.com.

Annual Holiday Mercantile
Ready or not, Christmas is here, and with it, the need to buy a gift for everyone in your life, warm up the vocal cords for caroling and take in the holiday lights and cheer. Oil & Cotton (817 W. Davis St.) hopes to help you with all those things this weekend during the Annual Holiday Mercantile. Starting at 5 p.m. Friday and stretching through the weekend, swing through the shop for a number of workshops, events and deals to benefit you and the other crafty people in your life. At 5 p.m. Friday there will be a holiday voice workshop with Sarah Alexander, followed by a performance; stop by an open studio to make gifts at 1 p.m. Saturday ($10 admission or $15 for two); or there’s a brunch and screenprinting lesson with Mylan Nguyen and Jessica Trevizo ($45) at noon Sunday. And that’s just a taste of what’s planned. Find out more at oilandcotton.com.

El Mercado
Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be about zoning out in bland department stores or giving up and buying gift cards — there are ways to gift creatively and keep yourself engaged in the process. El Mercado at the Erin Cluley Gallery, 414 Fabrication St., is the perfect example: Part art and design show, part one-of-a-kind marketplace, this is where art and commerce come together to benefit both giver and receiver. From noon-8 p.m. Saturday, you’ll find an exhibition of eight artists’/designers’ work along with a Latin-inspired marketplace featuring each contributor’s exclusive jewelry, clothing, handmade bags, home goods, prints and specially designed Stetson hats. The hybrid shopping/art event will feature locals like B.Stellar, Rob Wilson, Wheron, Bedthread, Desert Hide and Neobantu; as well as Baltimore’s René Treviño and New York’s Richard Phillips. The event is free; head to erincluley.com for details.

Holiday Presence 11
If you pride yourself on being a great gift giver, or you’d like to be one, you really can’t go wrong with a work of art. Especially one by a local artist. Every year, Kettle Art (2650 Main St.) hosts its Holiday Presence show, featuring a variety of its regular exhibiting artists. Most work is priced under $100 — perfect for gifts. Artists participating this year include Richard Ross, Brad Albright, Brandy Collins, Hilda LaFleur, Justin Clumpner and more. Swing through the opening reception from 7-10 p.m. Thursday, or through December 17. More at kettleart.com.