This week is the 25th anniversary celebration for Conduit Gallery. Danette Dufilho and Nancy Whitenack were nice enough to sit down with We Shot Jr to express eloquently some hard hitting art opinions...

MINI-GREATNESS: CONDUIT GALLERY

Richardson Heights: Art is a tough business. Most galleries fail. How has Conduit stuck around for 25 years?

Conduit Gallery: Fantastic artists. If there was a class, book or program that taught successful gallery practice, we'd certainly be first in line to learn. It's the artists and the work they make that have kept the doors open and the lights on.

RH: In what ways is the Dallas art world of 2009 different from when you
opened in 1984?

CG: Happily, the main difference is that the art scene here has grown much larger than in past years. There are more museums, non-profits, artist-run spaces and galleries than ever before. Having more art and cultural venues of all kinds help make what we're doing more viable. Also, for better or worse, there probably is much less Neo-expressionism around.

RH: What type of collector do you most respect and why?

CG: The kind without fear. Or the fearful ones that stay with works of art that scare them until it becomes understood.

RH: Can you describe one spectacular thing that's going to be in the show this weekend, or does it all remain a surprise?

CG: One of the most spectacular things about Saturday's party is that it won't be a typical exhibition opening at all. Suspend what you think you'd usually expect to experience at a gallery opening and come ready to attend a birthday party. We looked into having a pony here though it didn't pan out. I think we've got most other birthday party accouterments covered.

FRIDAY

DANCE!
And/Or Gallery
"One night only! Friday, July 24, 7pm - ???"

The Final And/Or Event: "For our final event at the gallery, we are creating a simulation of a rogue, acid warehouse techno dance party from the nineties, often referred to as a rave. This will be similar to other shows we've had here but with really loud house music. Video content will be provided by Kevin Bewersdorf, Petra Cortright, Travis Hallenbeck, Guthrie Lonergan, Kristin Lucas, Tom Moody, Marcin Ramocki, Paul Slocum, Michael Bell-Smith, and Spirit Surfers. Music will be selected and remixed by Tree Wave."

Landscape: Observed & Imagined
Jenna Burditt
Mokah Art Gallery
2803 Taylor Street, Dallas, TX 75226
July 24 : 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

The title of Jenna Burditt's web site is "Please install the Adobe Flash Player". So, no link 4 u.

SATURDAY

Conduit Gallery 25th Anniversary Celebration and Party
Conduit Gallery
1626 C Hi Line Drive, Dallas, TX 75207
Reception: Saturday, July 25 @ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Pieces of Me
Laura Dinello
Cameron Gallery
1414 Dragon Street, Dallas, TX 75207
Reception: Saturday, July 25 @ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Laura Dinello seems to make very beautiful faux deco mosaics.

New Texas Talent XVI
Way too many artists to list.
Craighead-Green Gallery
1011 Dragon Street, Dallas, TX 75207
Reception: Saturday, July 25 @ 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Summer Selections
Carlos Don Juan, Ansen Seale, Adriana Carvalho, Martin Delabano and Danville Chadbourne at the
HCG Gallery
1130 Dragon Street, Suite 1190, Dallas, TX 75207
Reception: Saturday, July 25 @ 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

FRONTROOM = BACKROOM
Marty Walker Gallery
Way too many artists to list.
2135 Farrington Street, Dallas, TX 75207
Reception: Saturday, July 25 @ 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

ARTS 1317
Way too many artists to list.
mod.shop Gallery
5840 Alpha Road #B, Dallas, TX 75240
Reception: Saturday, July 25 @ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Chaos and Order
Stephen Arruda, Dan Bristow, James Edgar Crowe, Roger Moore and Mary Tomas
Mary Tomas Studio Gallery
1110 Dragon Street, Suite 1080, Dallas, TX 75207
Reception: Saturday, July 25 @ 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

midsummer night's dream
Anila Agha, William Cannings, Elisa D'Arrigo, Ted Larsen, Jane Martin, Rusty Scruby, Howard Sherman, and Laura Wilson
PanAmerican ArtProjects
1615 Dragon Street, Dallas, TX 75207
Reception: Saturday, July 25 @ 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Thornwood Gallery Artists Summer Celebration
Thornwood Gallery
1605 Dragon Street, Dallas, TX 75207
Reception: Saturday, July 25 @ 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Image Courtesy of Conduit Gallery