Denison has always been a community rich in arts and culture, and with a growing need to support local artists, the Denison Arts Council (DAC) was founded in 1980. Later recognized by the Texas Commission on the Arts in 2009, the Denison Arts Council was selected for the Cultural District Designation Pilot Program, acknowledging the organization's role in contributing to economic development, attracting tourism, and fostering civic pride. Today, you can find art throughout many historic buildings, parks, murals, sculptures, and local festivals.
After more than four decades of operating in leased space, The DAC announced in July the purchase of the 500 W. Woodard Street building in downtown Denison, establishing the organization’s first permanent home for the arts. “This had always been in the back pocket for us, but we hadn’t come across the right opportunity. This milestone represents the crux of hard work and timing.” DC Ramsey, Director of the Denison Arts Council, says.
The three-story building, previously known as the Desk and Easel, will be home to classrooms for youth arts education, public gallery space, culinary programming, housing studio space for working artists, photography and podcast studios, and a flexible gathering space for community events and performances.
"The acquisition of 500 W. Woodard creates new opportunities for arts education, cultural tourism, economic development, and community engagement," said Cindy Salem, Board President of the Denison Arts Council, in a recent statement. "We are excited to have a home where we can host events as well as manage the cultural arts district."
The new space, while continuing the original mission, will expand the ability to serve North Texas creatives through development, presence, and education. “We want to grow intentionally,” Rasmey says. “Art, community, and economic development go hand in hand for the growth of the entire town.”
The DAC will continue its popular events like the Día de los Muertos festival and the North Texas Arts Festival but look forward to expanding their smaller programming and will welcome new and seasoned artists to further their education through workshops. “There will be endless opportunities for programming,” says Ramsey. “The goal is to support artists who don't have their own space and provide a hub for creatives.”
The new space will also feature an outdoor area for events like film nights, concerts and regular rotation of gallery shows. Small on the Wall, a Denison tradition dating back to 2009, is the inaugural show in DAC's new gallery and offers artists an accessible opportunity to exhibit work across a variety of mediums and price points, making it especially welcoming for first-time buyers. Also on display will be the HeART of Denison mosaic project, a community initiative inviting more than 100 residents across Denison's downtown and arts community to each contribute a canvas reflecting the people and roles that shape the city's creative identity.
"Here in the City of Denison, the arts do more than beautify our community. They strengthen our sense of connection, celebrate our identity, bring people together, and help tell the story of who we are," said Robert Crawley, Mayor of Denison. "Investing in the arts, and in the Denison Arts Council, is an investment in our future. It enhances our quality of life, supports local talent, honors our storied past, and moves our city forward in meaningful ways."
The new facility can be found one block north of Main, and starting after Labor Day, the DAC will begin introducing events and other opportunities. Additional details and registration information can be found on the organization's website: denisonartscouncil.org