The Museum of Biblical Art celebrated the opening of the Via Dolorosa – a new landmark for the City of Dallas – made possible through the generosity of The Tia Collection, with a full weekend of events on May 15-17. Over 350 friends, donors, and guests attended the Friday evening Ribbon Cutting and Blessing, and the Saturday morning Dedication Ceremonies. The Via Dolorosa is a Mediterranean-style garden featuring the largest outdoor installation of bronze in the world by the late artist Gib Singleton, of Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

The installation includes the traditional 14 stages of the “Way of the Cross” commemorating the last hours of Christ’s life and death. In addition, Singleton’s “Redemption” depicting the resurrected Christ and “The Legend of the Dogwood” are exhibited towards the end of the pathway. The garden, to be landscaped with Biblical trees and plants, will offer a spiritual, meditative place in the heart of Dallas which is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds at no charge. 

On Friday evening, after a word of welcome from Museum Director Scott Peck to the assembled guests in the garden, Jennifer Staubach Gates, Dallas City Councilwoman for District 13, expressed her pleasure at being asked to participate. “This is one of the fun parts of my job. The Via Dolorosa will be a beautiful new landmark for all of Dallas to enjoy,” she said.  Councilwoman Gates was then joined by Scott Peck, followed by various groups of donors, who came forward to also make a cut in the long velvet ribbon.  

Rev. Tom Cloherty of the Prince of Peace Catholic Church gave the blessing of the sculptures. Afterward, guests moved into the Museum ballroom for presentations and a buffet dinner, followed by the opportunity to explore the Museum galleries with guided tours. Seventy-two additional Gib Singleton sculptures had been installed for the weekend—creating the largest exhibit of Singleton sculptures in the world—over the course of the 3-day event.  

Among the remarks, Dr. Wayne Yakes, a major collector and supporter of Gib Singleton and MBA Board Member said of him, “This is a special celebration for a titan of our times. There are many artists, but there are few monumentalists.  A monumentalist can touch the core of every human, regardless of race, color, religion. There is something that attracts to you to Gib’s art, regardless of who you are.” 

The Saturday morning ceremony also included a ribbon cutting by various groups of donors and prayers of dedication from Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic and Lutheran clergymen.  Museum Director Peck opened once again with words of welcome, and he added, “We are opposite NorthPark, the most visited attraction in Dallas. We hope the Via Dolorosa will become an equally special attraction for our city.” 

D. Harold Byrd, III, spoke on behalf of Roberta and D. Harold Byrd, Jr., MBA Board Chairman Emeritus, and the family and of founder Mattie Caruth Byrd. “I want to thank everyone involved in this project for making the Via Dolorosa a reality,” he said.  His words were echoed by Kirk Kibler, MBA Board President and Project Contractor, Architect Keith Crouch, AIA, and Susan Atkinson, ASLA, Principal Landscape Architect.  Each of them pointed out that every time they shared the project with someone, asking for their involvement, before they could even finish, the response was “I’m in!”  Everyone involved in the Via Dolorosa immediately “saw the vision.”  Every aspect of this multi-million dollar project was underwritten or provided on a pro bono basis.

Colorado Gallerist and MBA Board Member Paul Zueger, who represented Gib Singleton throughout his career, spoke about Singleton’s vision. “Gib said, ‘This is a religious statement that will endure. Five hundred years from now we want people to know what it was like in 2015.’” At the conclusion of remarks, guests moved into the Museum where breakfast was served, and the Museum was open for gallery tours.

The weekend-long celebration concluded on Sunday with a special presentation for donors and out-of-town guests who gathered in the garden to hear Dr. Gary D. Swaim, a faculty member in the Master of Liberal Studies Program at S.M.U. and the 2011 Texas Senior Poet Laureate.  Dr. Swaim, dressed in period attire, and accompanied by classical guitarist Eddie Healy, gave a passionate and moving performance of his original poems which portray the events of the Via Dolorosa.

The words of Museum Director Scott Peck sum up the project. “The Via Dolorosa will certainly become a quiet space for reflection and an international place of pilgrimage.”

Among the many guests in attendance were Faye Briggs; Patty Jo and John Turner; Roberta and D. Harold Byrd, Jr.; Diane and Dr. Harold Byrd, III; Laura and Patti Sparkman; Candy and Walter Evans; Susan and Thomas Stanzel; Shirley and George Shafer; Sue Allin and Frank Meier, Bonnie and Paul Zueger; Nona and Dr. Wayne Yakes.

ABOUT THE VIA DOLOROSA 

The project began eight years ago when Scott Peck, Director of the Museum of Biblical Art, saw Singleton’s work in the Santa Fe gallery of Paul Zueger and knew immediately it needed to be at the Museum in Dallas. “Gib Singleton is considered to be a modern master of bronze. His remarkable style is his own,” says Peck. “He created what is called ‘emotional realism’. What mattered to Singleton was not how the art looks, but rather the feeling that it produces in the viewer when looking at it. It is a great privilege for the Museum to freely share these powerful pieces of art with the City of Dallas.”            

The Tia Collection came forward saying they would provide the sculptures, but the MBA must build something fitting for them. “I shared my idea of a garden with Dr. Gary Cook, President of Dallas Baptist University, and he said, ‘I want you to meet Mr. Keith Crouch.’  As a result, we literally have two architects, Keith Crouch and Susan Atkinson, who donated ALL of their time. They caught the vision immediately.”

The garden is remarkable, not only for the beauty and power of the sculptures, but also because every facet, from the sculpture to the benches, landscaping, lighting, signage and professional design and construction services was sponsored, donated or supplied at greatly reduced rates for this multi-million dollar project

Paul Zueger says, “Gib Singleton is the finest artist I have ever met. Having his work in Dallas is one of the highlights of his career. The Museum of Biblical Art is like one of the great specialty museums in Europe. I know art because I have been in the art world since the 1960s and you have a treasure here. The Via Dolorosa Sculpture installation pays tribute to a great artist and to one of the great art institutions in the world!” 

Fourteen of the 18 sculptures in the Via Dolorosa depict the traditional Stations of the Cross which represent the journey of Christ on the day of his Crucifixion.  “Redemption,” which depicts the resurrection of Christ, and “The Legend of the Dogwood” are two of Gib Singleton’s last works before he passed away in February, 2014. An adjoining garden on the West side of the Museum will feature two Old Testament-themed sculptures – “John the Baptist” and “Rebecca at the Well.”   

ABOUT GIB SINGLETON

Gib Singleton began making sculptures from mud and straw at the age of three. After service in the army, he received a full scholarship from the Art Institute of Chicago and a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the Academia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy.  He was later recruited by the Vatican Workshop and helped restore Michelangelo’s Renaissance masterpiece, “The Pieta.”  Among his many works, Singleton created a bronze crucifix that was chosen by then Bishop Karol Wojtyla to sit atop his staff. Wojtyla, who later became Pope John Paul II, carried it for 26 years. Pope Benedict then took up the staff, and Pope Francis has also carried it. For more background, see www.gibsingleton.com.

DONORS 

The Tia Collection

Legacy Sculpture Sponsors

Dr. Wayne and Nona Yakes; Bonnie and Paul Zueger; Faye Briggs; Mr. Karl C. Hoppess; Dr. Gary Cook – Dallas Baptist University; Mike and Mary Terry Family Foundation; George A. and Shirley Shafer; Andrew and Jane Adams; Ed Haggar Family Foundation - John and Patty Jo Turner; Don and Katy Houseman.

Legacy Bench Sponsors

Catholic Foundation of Dallas – Mr. Matthew Kramer, President

Christ the King Altar Society - Tracy Wilson

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Cicherski (Sue) - Asel Art Supply

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Forrest (Mary)

Gwinn Family Foundation - Marianne Gwinn, Stephen and Tina Gwinn

Mrs. Harriet Halsell

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Houseman (Katherine)

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Martter (Theresa)

Mrs. Betty Kerr Moberly

Redman Foundation, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Stanzel (Susan)

Prince of Peace Catholic Community

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Westerman

Dr. and Mrs. Richard Wood

Sally Yamini  

Bonnie and Paul Zueger

Dawna Hamm Walsh, Monty Hamm, Charlotte Vernon and Jerry Hamm

Faye Briggs Family

James L and Mary Forrest

D. Harold and Roberta Byrd, Jr. 

Dr. and Mrs.Valentine Robinson and Family    

Additional Major In-Kind Sponsors

Kibler Construction Company, LLC – General Contractor

Pinson Excavating - Lentz Landscape Lighting - Dave Riddle Electric Company

American Landscape Systems, Inc. - Southern Services Landscape & Irrigation

 Zone Systems, Inc. - Noble House and Garden – SI Memorials

Innovative Signs, Florida –- TBMPClick - Archiped Classics, Dallas

Maria Valentina Sheets – Philip Martin – Philip Prince – Adrienne Glaze

Johnson Granite Supply – Spralding Monument Service - Signature Hardware

Graphic Products, LP – Judy Moore Productions, Inc. - Nice Moves

North Haven Gardens, Rusty Allen – Eric Dorton – Spice of Life Catering – Mark Rankin

AAI Trophies, Plano - Gold Crown Valet –– John Roppolo – Julie Dunn

Strong AV Productions - Jim Martin and Gary Bauer, Martin Media – Wayfair

Helen S. Towne, President, and Members of the MBA Guild 

ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF BIBLICAL ART

The Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas,Texas is unlike any museum in the world.  It has a simple mission:  to display art with a Biblical theme.  It is one of the few museums in the country that is devoted to Biblical themes. It was established in 1967 and named the Museum of Biblical Art in 1999.  Nothing of its size exists in the United States, making it a treasure trove for art enthusiasts. Diverse types of art are exhibited including bronze sculpture, drawings, fine prints, and oil paintings. Specialized galleries have been created for Biblical Archaeology, Jewish Art, Religious Architecture, Israeli Art, African American Art and Hispanic Art.

The Museum is a cultural crossroads, utilizing art for tolerance and understanding reflected in the various archaeological exhibits and decorative art from Israel and the Holy Land.  The MBA's vision encompasses the classical arts with a call to beauty which emphasizes the Biblical figurative art illustrating the narratives of the Bible, and a call to the study of classical Greco-Roman art, archaeology and architecture.

Museum featured artists Include:  John Singer Sargent, Marc Chagall, Jacques Lipchitz, Ben Shahn, Paolo Veronese, Francesco Guardi, Agam, Kathe Köllwitz, Albert Pinkham Ryder, Emil Nolde, James Tissot, Oskar Kokoschka, Bernard Buffet, Andy Warhol, Everett Shinn, John Marin, George Tobolowsky and many more.

The MBA - Museum of Biblical Art                        Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 to 5:00

7500 Park Lane                                                          Late night Thursday until 9:00 PM  

Dallas, TX 75225                                                       Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

214-368-4622

Across from North Park                                          www.biblicalarts.org

Dallas Architecture Forum, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing public education about architecture, design and the urban environment, will present  “Design Directions, A Dialogue with Design Leaders,” a Panel Discussion on Tuesday, January 27, moderated by Rick del Monte, AIA. 

“The Dallas Architecture Forum is pleased to present this next event in its 2014-15 series of thought-provoking Panel Discussions on topics impacting the citizens of Dallas both locally and globally” stated Forum Executive Director Nate Eudaly.  “Cutting edge technology has altered and expanded what is possible in the field of architecture. Some of the largest architecture firms in the country are based in Dallas, or have a major regional presence here, so hearing from their design directors on the future direction of design will be both educational as well as producing thought-provoking discussion.  This Panel will be of interest both to those in the profession as well as to the general public who want to learn more about these important design developments.”    

The Dallas Architecture Forum Panels are offered at no charge to both Forum members and to the general public as a public outreach of the Forum. Join us for a cold beverage and lively dialogue!  The venue for this Panel, presented by the Dallas Architecture Forum, is 1909 Woodall Rogers Freeway, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75201 (Dallas Center for Architecture offices).  This free Dallas Architecture Forum Panel will be held at 6:30 pm, with an informal reception beginning at 6:15 pm.  No reservations are needed to attend the Panel. 

Eight of the ten largest architecture firms in the United States claim a presence in Dallas, and some of these firms are leading projects in our city, in our state, around the country – and beyond. It is therefore fair to say that the work that Dallas architects and designers create has a tangible impact on the built environment and consequently on the current architectural discourse. How does being in Dallas influence the work that large firms create here? How is it done and who is doing it? Is it possible for a large firm to work within the limits of the local cultural context? How does such context influence the work that is now spread throughout the country and the world? What is the role of local design leaders in large firms with global corporate agendas? And how does their work influence – assuming that it influences at all – the work that Dallas architects do?  Design Leaders of some of Dallas’ largest firms will discuss these and other issues at this Panel. Come and join in what promises to be a relevant and lively conversation.

Rick del Monte, AIA, is a Managing Director and the Chief Design Officer at the Beck Group, an integrated architecture, construction, and technology firm. Rick directs the architectural design for six offices and 130 architects. Rick chairs the Strategic Innovations Group in the company which directs the effort to implement innovative technology into the integrated design and construction process. As a senior partner at Urban Architecture Rick helped lead the merger with Beck in 1999. Before joining Urban Architecture, Rick spent nine years at KPF in New York as an Associate Principal in design. There he led the design efforts on a series of high rise and corporate projects. 

Rick has been active in the development and growth of integrated practice in the AIA. He is currently the Chairman of the Project Delivery Knowledge Community, the Center for Integrated Practice, and is a founding member of the Design Excellence Council of the DBIA. He has been a speaker on design, integration, and technology at AIA and DBIA national and regional conventions. Rick has taught design studios at the University of Texas at Arlington and served as a visiting Juror at UT Austin, Texas A&M, University of Houston, and NJIT. 

For more information on the Dallas Architecture Forum, or the Panel Discussion Series, visit www.dallasarchitectureforum.org or call 214-764-2406.  Advance registration is not necessary to attend any of the Panels in the Panel Series. 

Panel Season Sponsors are Balfour Beatty Construction, John Eagle Dealerships, HOSSLEY Lighting Associates, Purdy McGuire, Inc., Cindy + Armond Schwartz, Talley Associates and WDG Architects. 

Sponsors for this Panel are Wendy Konradi Interior Design; LEMCO Construction; and Datum Engineers. 

Dallas Architecture Forum, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing public education about architecture, design and the urban environment, is pleased to present landscape architect Laurie Olin, FASLA, and Co-Founder of OLIN.  He will speak on Wednesday, November 19th at 7 p.m., with a complimentary reception at 6:15 pm, at the Horchow Auditorium, Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood Street.

Tickets are $20 per lecture for general admission and $5 for students (with ID), and can be purchased at the door. No reservations are needed to attend Forum lectures. Dallas Architecture Forum members receive free admission to all regular Forum lectures as a benefit of membership, and AIA members can earn one hour of CE credit for each lecture. For more information on the Dallas Architecture Forum, visit www.dallasarchitectureforum.org or call 214-764-2406.

Laurie D. Olin is an internationally preeminent landscape architect.  In addition to founding the firm OLIN, he is the practice professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, where he has taught for thirty years, and former chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture at Harvard University.  Olin served as the landscape architect for the Barnes Foundations new center in Philadelphia.  He co-authored the book OLIN: Placemaking, featuring landscape architecture, urban design and planning projects.  His redesign of the Washington Monument grounds received the 2008 Design Honor Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects.  OLIN received a Landscape Design Award from the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum.
 
Olin is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the recipient of an Award in Architecture from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Design Medal from the American Society of Landscape Architects.  Olin is also the author of many books and has written extensively on the history and theory of landscape design.  A few important highlights of his career include the ASLA Medal, the highest honor given by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Fellowship in the American Academy of Rome, and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Architecture.  His work has also won numerous awards.  Among his many high-profile projects are Bryant Park, Columbus Circle and the Metropolitan Museum in NYC; the Barnes Collection and the Philadelphia Museum of Art; the National Gallery in Washington,  and the Getty in LA..  He has also overseen dozens of less-known projects with equal care and focus, improving the quality of life for people in cities around the world.  Many consider his legacy to be the most significant of any landscape architect since Olmsted.

Olin is a recipient of a National Medal of Arts, presented in 2013 by President Barack Obama.  Awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, it is the highest honor given to artists by the U.S. Government.  Olin is the fourth landscape architect to receive the award, joining Lawrence Halprin, Dan Kiley and Ian McHarg.  The White House press release describes Olin as a preeminent landscape architect who is renowned for his acute sense of harmony and balance between nature and design.
www.theolinstudio.com

Art enthusiasts will flock to the “8x8 Art Exhibition and Auction” at the Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas on Wednesday, November 19, 2014, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. to bid on miniature works of fine art from around the world. The event features a Texas casual theme with country swing band, BBQ, wine pull and wine tasting salon and mini-sized art perfect for Christmas or Hanukkah gifting. 

Fabulous art highlights this year include: Jane Seymour’s “Open Heart Angel” – special to the museum from the multiple Emmy and Golden Globe winner; J. D. Miller, Dallas contemporary painter; Alvar Suñol, Spanish painter and sculptor; Ruth Buzzi, American comedienne and actress and her husband, actor Kent Perkins; Victor Bregeda, Russian surrealistic painter; Marton Varo, Italian Sculptor; George Tobolowsky, sculpture in metal; Morton Rachofsky, sculptor; and Jeffrey Brosk, New York artist working with exotic wood. Numerous other Dallas/Fort Worth and Texas artists’ work will be featured including Henrietta and Rome Milan, KAT, Jeffrey Miranda, John Collier, Maria Sheets and Fred Villanueva. Special works by Gib Singleton and G. H. Rothe will also be available during the silent auction.   

The event draws its name from the small works of art, each measuring only 8 inches by 8 inches, which this year includes a wide variety of paintings, sculpture, glass, photography and works on paper. Over 100 artists will participate with the starting bid at only $100. Pieces are valued at $400-$5,000 retail and many of the artists will be on site to meet guests and potential bidders. 

The intriguing theme of 8 x 8 came from Jeff Levine, owner of Modmedia.net, who created the event in 2010. He said, “It began as a small idea in a conversation I had with Rabbi Rvi Drizin of the Intown Chabad. The number 8 is a symbol for the Hebrew word for life, which is Chai,” said Levine. “So, 8 x 8 is a double portion of life or a doubly-blessed life.”  

According to Scott Peck, MBA Curator and Director, “This annual event raises funds for all our educational programs throughout the year – field trips, Summer Art Camp for Kids, Heroes of History Field Trips, and special workshops we offer for both kids and adults. It’s a great opportunity to see the museum, learn about emerging contemporary artists and possibly purchase some fine art at reasonable prices –due to the low starting bids.” 

Kristi Kirkpatrick, Event Chair, says tickets are $25 per person and may be purchased online at www.biblicalarts.org or at the door. Complimentary valet parking will be provided. RSVP to 214-368-4622 or patricia@biblicalarts.org.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF BIBLICAL ART 

The Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas,Texas is unlike any museum in the world.  It has a simple mission:  to display art with a Biblical theme.  It is one of the few museums in the country that is devoted to Biblical themes.  It was established in 1967 and named the Museum of Biblical Art in 1999.  Nothing of its size exists in the United States, making it a treasure trove for art enthusiasts. Diverse types of art are exhibited including bronze sculpture installations, drawings, fine prints, and oil paintings. Specialized galleries have been created for Biblical Archaeology, Jewish Art, Religious Architecture, Israeli Art, African American Art and Hispanic Art.

The Museum is a cultural crossroads, utilizing art for tolerance and understanding reflected in the various archaeological exhibits and decorative art from Israel and the Holy Land.  The MBA's vision encompasses the classical arts with a call to beauty which emphasizes the Biblical figurative art illustrating the narratives of the Bible, and a call to the study of classical Greco-Roman art, archaeology and architecture.

Museum featured artists Include:  John Singer Sargent, Marc Chagall, Jacques Lipchitz, Ben Shahn, Paolo Veronese, Francesco Guardi, Agam, Kathe Köllwitz, Albert Pinkham Ryder, Emil Nolde, James Tissot, Oskar Kokoschka, Bernard Buffet, Andy Warhol, Everett Shinn, John Marin, and many more.  

The MBA - Museum of Biblical Art 

7500 Park Lane  

Dallas, TX 75225

214-368-4622

Across from North Park

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 to 5:00  

Late night Thursday until 9:00 PM  

Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.  

www.biblicalarts.org

 Dallas Architecture Forum, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing public education about architecture, design and the urban environment, is pleased to present  “Engaging the Trinity: a Panel Discussion” on November 5, moderated by Gail Thomas, Ph.D. 

The Dallas Architecture Forum Panels are offered at no charge to both Forum members and to the general public as a public outreach of the Forum. Join us for a cold beverage and lively dialogue!   The venue for this Panel is the Trinity Trust Office, 1444 Oak Lawn Avenue, #200, Dallas, TX 75207. This free Dallas Architecture Forum Panel will be held at 6:30 pm, with an informal reception beginning at 6:15 pm.  No reservations are needed to attend the Panel. 

 “The Dallas Architecture Forum is pleased to present the next event in its 2014-15 series of thought-provoking Panel Discussions on topics impacting the citizens of Dallas both locally and globally” stated Forum Executive Director Nate Eudaly. 

The Trinity River Corridor Balanced Vision Plan is one of the most comprehensive and ambitious urban park plans in the world.  The Trinity River Corridor is one of the world’s largest urban parks, and the plan addresses the integration of flood control, transportation needs, recreational and aesthetic amenities, environmental preservation and functional design elements to ensure that the development represents the highest and best aspirations for the citizens of our community for generations to come. 

Many major milestones for the plan have been successfully achieved.  In March 2012 the City of Dallas celebrated the opening of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge.  Additional key accomplishments include the renovation of the Continental Bridge, the opening of the Skyline Trail, and the design and construction (currently in progress) of the Margaret McDermott Bridge.  The Trinity Forest Spine Trail will open a treasure of undisturbed forest to the citizens of Dallas. Traveling south from White Rock Lake past the Trinity River Audubon Center extending to IH-20, this 17.5-mile hard-surfaced trail will be a unique passage to the unspoiled outdoors and the beauty and discoveries it provides.   The Trinity Trust is also collaborating on the design of a series of lakes and recreation amenities for the Trinity River basin area.  Gail Thomas, Ph.D., President of the Trinity Trust, is a guiding light for the plan, both in casting vision and securing funding for these important projects.   She will moderate this comprehensive update of the major achievements and continued unfolding of the vision for the Trinity Corridor Plan 

About the Moderator:  Gail Thomas, Ph.D.

Dr. Gail Thomas serves as President and CEO of The Trinity Trust Foundation in Dallas to remake the Trinity River Corridor. After directing the Center for Civic Leadership, a Master’s program at the University of Dallas, she was a co-founder in 1980 of the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture and served as its Director for seventeen years. She continues as the Director of their Center for the City where she teaches and conducts seminars and conferences.  

Dr. Thomas represented one of the three organizations that led the creation of the “Balanced Vision Plan” for The Trinity.  After the plan’s unanimous adoption by the City Council, the Mayor of Dallas asked Dr. Thomas to create an entity to raise private funds to implement the plan.  She works with The Trinity Trust Board of Directors to introduce the project to the entire community and to raise private funds to ensure that the Trinity River is the centerpiece of the city. 

Dr. Thomas’ life work has been the study and transformation of cities. Through her teaching and lecturing, she has been a catalyst for change in the inner city.  For over twenty years she has conducted seminars and conferences on cities and city life not only in Dallas but also in cities as diverse as Montreal, Portland, New Orleans, Santa Fe, Denver, and Devon, England. She began in 1982 a series of conferences called, What Makes a City?, attended by city planners, artists, scientists, poets, teachers, business and civic leaders.  The effect of these conferences has been profound. 

She was instrumental in the creation of Pegasus Plaza in downtown Dallas and co-chaired the Dallas Millennium Project to restore Dallas' icon, Pegasus, the Flying Red Horse. Through the Dallas Institute, she hosted a five year urban design for Dallas called Dallas Visions, directed by James Pratt. For the Trinity project, her efforts helped inspire the philanthropic gifts for design of Dallas’ two Santiago Calatrava bridges. She is currently seeking funds to build the Trinity Spine Trail from the Audubon Center to White Rock Lake. 

Her book Healing Pandora: The Restoration of Hope and Abundance was released in 2009. Her other books include: Stirrings of Culture, with Robert Sardello; Images of the Untouched, with Joanne Stroud; Imagining Dallas; and Pegasus, the Spirit of Cities. Her book in progress is entitled: Recapturing the Soul of the City. 

Dr. Thomas has received numerous awards including the coveted Kessler Award for improving the quality of life in Dallas, the Athena Award given by The University of Dallas, the Award of Excellence in Community Service offered by the Dallas Historical Society, named The Dallas 25 by D Magazine, and The Femmes du Monde Woman of the Year. She has been named Distinguished Alumna of two universities – SMU and The University of Dallas. She has been a national awards panelist for the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts, and has been named Honorary AIA by the Dallas Chapter, the Texas Society of Architects and most recently by the American Institute of Architects. 

For more information on the Dallas Architecture Forum, or the Panel Discussion Series, visit www.dallasarchitectureforum.org or call 214-764-2406.  Advance registration is not necessary to attend any of the Panels in the Panel Series. 

Panel Season Sponsors are Fashion Optical, Meg M. Fitzpatrick | Strategy Consultant, Lisa Brown Consulting, Wendy Konradi + Jessica Stewart Lendvay, LEMCO Construction, LUXE Interiors + Design Magazine, Oglesby-Greene Architects, UTA School of Architecture.