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Stepping Stone to Greatness
or the Lady's Last Chance?

This index's links and the story above address most of the important issues involved in the current imbroglio over the True History of D-Art. But it leaves out an important bit of information.

Joan Davidow never intended to use D-Art as her stepping stone to Texas art greatness.

The Arlington Museum of Art is an important North Central Texas art institution. Joan Davidow invented it, organized it, gave it direction and made it famous and popular among Texas artists. It was her baby, and she gave it ten years of her life. Unfortunately, she was destined to lose it before its formative, teen years.

Somewhere along the path to raising funds to build the ultimate Arlington Museum of Art, its director was separated from her dream. The projected new building was architected but not built — although the former Sanger Harris facility was recently updated. Perhaps Davidow is not the great fund raiser many hope.

The circumstances of her separation are controversial. But the results are plain. Joan Davidow had to settle for directing D-Art, whose direction had been well defined. But the institution was foundering without a permanent director — and without the certain hope of a long term financial future.

D-ART, D-Art, D'Art, DVAC, DCCA — or whatever it changes its name to next — may well be Joan Davidow's last great chance to turn the Texas art scene on its ear.

The board hired Davidow to raise funds to put D-Art into its own building when the lease on the Meadows Foundation building runs out in less than eight years. Everything else was left in her hands.

She was not hired to appease or gladden the hearts of D-Art's paid membership, Dallas artists or anybody else but the — some say clueless — board of the name and identity changing institution.

If she succeeds, she'll be a local art hero. If she fails, she may not get another chance.

© January 2002 by JR Compton 
 

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