Life in Dallas - Page 4

Laura Wilson Permeates Richard Avedon’s American West Exhibit

Richard Avedon's "In the American West" photographic exhibition at the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth.
“Richard Avedon at the Carter – In the American West” is as compelling an exhibition as it was originally in 1985. It becomes even more interesting as his assistant Laura Wilson has become a nationally acclaimed photographer in her own right. For this exhibition, she helped identify the subjects of these photographs, convinced them to be photographed, and helped set up the shoot. One can see the influence of Richard Avedon in the portraits she has taken of people in interesting communities across the country.

Fort Worth is great fun to visit and enjoy the museums, especially when there are Dallas artists being exhibited. The Amon Carter has brought back the 1985 photographic exhibition in which Richard Avedon was the star photographer. Laura Wilson, as his assistant, was deeply involved with the success of the project. Now she is a nationally admired photographer in her own right, with museum exhibitions of her work and books devoted to her photographs. Now when we think of Richard Avedon photographs, we think of Laura Wilson. In the meantime, between projects, Laura Wilson lives in the Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas. She is a fabulous talent and is much beloved by the Dallas community.


Rachel Davis Mersey, New SMU Provost, Ignites SMU

The new SMU provost is Rachel Davis Mersey at SMU in Highland Park, Dallas, Texas.
The new SMU provost, Rachel Davis Mersey, has brought to SMU a creative combustion of energy, excellence and leadership.

Rachel Davis Mersey, the new SMU provost, has brought to SMU a creative combustion of energy, excellence and leadership. Along with the new SMU president and provost are many new deans and professors building on and creating momentum for SMU, the most exciting university in the country in 2025. There is a contagious atmosphere of excellence. The president’s and provost’s internal outreach to SMU and their outward reach to Dallas have been reassuring and inspiring. We can anticipate SMU will have unparalleled success academically, socially and athletically. SMU is on fire!


Generations

Art shown at the "Generations: 150 Years of Sculpture" exhibit Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, Texas.
The Renzo Piano designed Nasher Sculpture Center beautifully illuminates this “Generations” exhibit. On the far left, you will see the David McManaway piece that you will also see in the next photograph.

The Nasher Sculpture Center reveals a rich collection of pieces in its permanent collection in the exhibit “Generations: 150 Years of Sculpture.” The Nasher is one of the most important sculpture museums in the world owning works by internationally recognized artists like Auguste Rodin and Alberto Giacometti. The Nasher also owns pieces created by Dallas artists David McManaway and Frances Bagley. Raymond and Patsy Nasher had a great eye for art, as have the subsequent directors and curators. One of my favorite things about this museum is the dynamic between the internationally famous artists and local Dallas artists whose work holds up with the best. It makes it even more fun for me when I can see works in the Nasher Sculpture Center by artists like David McManaway and Frances Bagley, who were both friends, neighbors and clients of mine. I have highlighted an assemblage piece by David McManaway titled “Ahab” found in “The Assembled Figure” of the exhibition. I have also included an image of an assemblage piece, not in this exhibition, that David McManaway gave to me one Christmas. Images of the Nasher summary of the exhibition will also be shown describing the art and artists that are seen here.


Douglas Newby Moderates ICAA Contractor Panel at the Sebastian Headquarters

Realtor Douglas Newby of Architecturally Significant Homes moderates the ICAA sponsored Sebastian Contractor Panel including John Sebastian, held in Highland Park, Dallas, Texas.
Douglas Newby moderated a panel of prestigious Highland Park and Dallas contractors at the Sebastian headquarters. Panelists included contractors John Sebastian of Sebastian Contractors, Rusty Goff of Goff Custom Homes, John Jarrett of Jarett Construction, and Corey Ford of Tommy Ford Construction.

Mary Peyton Burgher, Texas Coordinator of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, put together a fabulous panel of contractors at an event space provided at the Sebastian headquarters. Panelists included contractors John Sebastian of Sebastian Contractors, Rusty Goff of Goff Custom Homes, John Jarrett of Jarett Construction, and Corey Ford of Tommy Ford Construction. The information they provided was fascinating, and I am sure I learned the most of anyone in the room, made up of architecture patrons and industry specialists.


The Dallas Art Fair in 2025 was One of the Best Ever

Douglas Newby and art collector Alden Pinnell at the 2025 Dallas Art Fair in downtown Dallas' Arts District.
At the preview of Dallas Art Fair, Douglas Newby and Alden Pinnell share some laughs. Alden and his wife also had an opening at their Deep Ellum warehouse exhibition space, Power Station, during the Dallas Art Fair week.

On a beautiful spring day, the Dallas Art Fair can feel very New York with artists, art patrons, and gallerists mingling. The Dallas Art Fair is a combination of three distinct groups of participants. Many of the best Dallas art galleries participate. Many of the best art galleries from around the country participate. And many of the best galleries from around the world participate. It is interesting and beneficial to see how Dallas artists and their Dallas galleries compare with other artists and galleries from around the world.


Tom Orr Goes Public at the Nasher

Artist Tom Orr’s work is seen with exhibition titled “Atlas” at the Nasher Public Window in the Nasher Sculpture Garden in the Dallas, Texas, Arts District.
Tom Orr sculpture at the Nasher Public Window can be seen from the street during the day or night or from inside the gallery during museum hours.
“Atlas” exhibition by artist Tom Orr at the Nasher Public Window in Dallas, Texas, in the Dallas Arts District.
Walking in front of the Nasher, one can see the Tom Orr sculpture through the Nasher Public Window. One can see in this photograph the reflection of inside this gallery space.
At the Nasher Garden Sculpture Center, Tom Orr sculpture is presented in the Nasher Public Window Gallery.
As you enter the front door, you will see this Tom Orr sculpture in the Public Window Gallery that has windows to the street for public viewing.

Artist Tom Orr has delighted us with his sculptures and drawings seen over the years in galleries, museums and public spaces. This July in 2025, you can see the recent sculpture titled “Atlas” in the Nasher Public Window Gallery. One of the best things about the Nasher Sculpture Garden is often you can see the sculptures from the street even before you enter the galleries or the garden. Tom Orr is a perfect artist to have his work displayed in the Nasher Public Window. His work always combines a sense of strength, fragility, and lyrical forms that create a captivating presence.

Photograph of Tom Orr at the “In Balance” exhibition at the Barry Whistler Gallery in the Design District of Dallas, Texas.
Tom Orr seen at the opening of the “In Balance” exhibition shown at the Barry Whistler Gallery.

While Tom Orr was installing his “Atlas” exhibition in the Public Window of the Nasher, a show of his work, “In Balance,” was exhibited at the Barry Whistler Gallery in the Dallas Design District. This exhibition was a wonderful preview of his sculpture seen at the Nasher Sculpture Garden Public Window.

Sculpture by Tom Orr at the Barry Whistler Gallery located in Dallas’ Design District.
Sculpture by Tom Orr seen at the “In Balance” exhibition at the Barry Whistler Gallery.
Artist Tom Orr’s exhibition at the Barry Whistler Gallery in the Design District of Dallas, Texas.
One of Tom Orr’s sculptures at the “In Balance” exhibition seen at the Barry Whistler Gallery.
The exhibition of Tom Orr “In Balance” at the Barry Whistler Gallery in Dallas’ Design District.
Tom Orr sculpture is mounted on a pedestal at the “In Balance” exhibition shown at the Barry Whistler Gallery.
Centered in the photograph, photographer Allison V. Smith at opening of Tom Orr exhibit at the Barry Whistler Gallery in Dallas’ Design District
Photographer Allison V. Smith centered finds a thoughtful corner for conversation while the rest of the gallery is buzzing with art patrons coming to see the work of Tom Orr.
John Reoch visits the Barry Whistler Gallery in the Design District of Dallas for the opening of Tom Orr’s exhibit “In Balance”
During Dallas Art Fair week, John Reoch visits Tom Orr opening at Barry Whistler Gallery in the Design District.
Tom Orr sculpture exhibit “In Balance” shown at the Barry Whistler Gallery located in the Design District of Dallas, Texas
Tom Orr sculpture draws art aficionados that enjoy his work at the Barry Whistler Gallery.

Wilson Fuqua is Star Panelist on Institute of Classical Architecture and Art Panel

Architect Wilson Fuqua was a panelist at the event "Beyond the Gate" held by The Institute of Classical Architecture and Art at 4915 Abbott Avenue in Highland Park, Texas.
Wilson Fuqua is one of the stars on a panel I was asked to moderate by Mary Peyton Burgher, the coordinator of the Texas Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art (ICAA), at the event “Beyond the Gate” held at the historic Highland Park home at 4915 Abbott Avenue.

Joining architect Wilson Fuqua on the panel were his son, Porter Fuqua, AIA; Anthony Catalfano of Anthony Catalfano Interiors, Interior Designer; Ryan Johnson of M.M. Moore Fine Gardens and Masonry, Landscape Designer; and Marcus Taylor of English Heritage Homes, Custom Builder.

The Institute of Classical Architecture and Art has made a major impact on the understanding of building homes, renovating homes, and preserving homes with its series of panels featuring architects, contractors, interior designers, and landscape designers. Those attending included other professionals in the construction and design fields and those who were interested in preservation, architecture and design. I am grateful to Mary Peyton Burgher, the Texas Coordinator of ICAA, for inviting me to moderate the panel. Out of all those in attendance, I might have learned the most.


Lauren Smyth and Porter Fuqua Represent Generation Shaping Dallas During the First Half of the 21st Century

Highland Park architect Porter Fuqua and commercial real estate attorney Lauren Smyth in Dallas, Texas.
Commercial real estate attorney Lauren Smyth and residential architect Porter Fuqua.

Porter Fuqua is a residential architect who is the son of noted architect Wilson Fuqua, who has designed many important homes and designed the renovation of many architecturally significant homes like the Hal Thomson designed home previously owned by Dan and Cookie Owen. While Wilson has helped shape the aesthetic taste of Highland Park during the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, Porter Fuqua has been helping shape Highland Park and the aesthetic of achievements of Dallas during the 21st century. It is exciting to see Porter Fuqua, who grew up in Highland Park at the architectural knee of his father, now make a great impact on the preservation of architecturally significant homes in Highland Park with his renovation design. He recently wowed the audience as an ICAA panelist discussing the renovation of 4915 Abbott Avenue, in which he was an important contributor. Porter Fuqua has both the talent and background to become a leader in his architectural field and make a great contribution to Highland Park and Dallas through the first half of the 21st century.

Commercial real estate attorney Lauren Smyth represents the type of talent that SMU first attracts to Dallas, in this case Lauren Smyth was raised in Nashville. At SMU, she was a Kappa, a double major, and graduated magna cum laude before she spent a year in France working both in fashion and foreign affairs. She returned to Dallas to attend SMU Law School and now is a key partner at Bradley Law Firm. Lauren Smyth has emerged as an attorney real estate developers and real estate brokers go to in order to make their visions and tentative transactions into a reality. Lauren Smyth is known for her creativity and precision to turn complex questions, leases or operations into simple transactions.

As Dallas increasingly becomes an international city, this generation with global sophistication, talent, aesthetic intelligence, and business acumen is a magnet for other people who want to continue developing Dallas and those moving to Dallas who want to invest in North Texas. Fifty years ago, Dallas was a brash, energetic, optimistic city ready to explode with growth and innovation. This generation, which includes Porter Fuqua and Lauren Smyth, will add additional expertise that will help make Dallas truly an international city and a major city in the center of the United States.


Blair Pogue of Blantyre Homes is the Finest Highland Park Home Developer

Blair Pogue, owner of Blantyre Homes, successfully developed the estate home at 4400 Belfort Place in Highland Park, Dallas, Texas, 75205.
Blair Pogue, the founder and owner of Blantyre Homes, developed 4400 Belfort Place in Highland Park. Architectural and real estate experts have already called this Spanish Revival style home the best new home in Highland Park. Blair Pogue develops Highland Park homes with the intention of elevating the architectural landscape. You can see his success with this Highland Park estate home at 4400 Belfort Place.

Blair Pogue of Blantyre Homes is a native of Highland Park who has developed a home with the type of Highland Park homebuyer in mind that he grew up with. Rather than relying on generic contemporary styles that are currently so commonplace, Blair Pogue selected the Spanish Revival style that evokes the best of Highland Park. This Spanish Revival style includes a little bit of Spanish Colonial Revival and Mediterranean style elements. The avant-garde and affluent in the 1920s selected the Spanish Revival style for their homes, and the avant-garde and affluent desire this style today.

Cristin and Blair Pogue at the Spanish Revival designed home at 4400 Belfort Place in Highland Park, Texas.
Highland Park home developer Blair Pogue of Blantyre Homes is pictured with his wife, Cristin, at 4400 Belfort Place during a gathering for a few of his friends and members of the design team that created the home as the finishing elements of the home are being completed.
Home developer Blair Pogue and his wife Cristin seen on the parterre designed by landscape architect Harold Leidner at this estate home of 4400 Belfort Place, Highland Park, Dallas, Texas.
Blair and Cristin Pogue are standing on the parterre that surrounds the pool and pool house that is linked to the main house by a covered walkway. They are looking over a large expanse of gardens and terraced lawn.

Maybe most importantly, Blair Pogue recognized that a great appeal of Highland Park is its large lots interspersed with parks and parkways. Having been raised around the corner from 4400 Belfort Place, Blair Pogue recognized that a nearly one-acre lot on the corner of Belfort Place and Armstrong Parkway is considered the best of Highland Park – the privacy of Belfort Place and the forested parkway presence of Armstrong Parkway. Few realize that there are only 36 lots that are one acre or larger in Highland Park. When so many new homes are being built in Highland Park, it is refreshing to see a developer like Blair Pogue of Blantyre Homes to develop a home with the architectural grace and precision of 4400 Belfort Place. This Spanish Revival style home certainly fulfills Blair Pogue’s goal of elevating the architectural landscape of Highland Park while building on its earlier traditions.

Developer Blair Pogue of Blantyre Homes and friends at 4400 Belfort Place, Highland Park, Dallas, Texas.
From left is Blair Pogue of Blantyre Homes; Douglas Newby the real estate broker representing Blair Pogue on the sale of 4400 Belfort Place; John Reoch, real estate attorney who has represented Pogue family development interests since he first came to Dallas; and Les Ware, who has renovated one of the most important historically significant homes in Dallas.

It was great fun to join real estate attorney John Reoch and Blair Pogue at 4400 Belfort Place. I helped John Reoch and his wife buy their first home in Dallas when they moved from Philadelphia decades ago. John Reoch’s first client was the legendary developer Mack Pogue, who founded Lincoln Properties. Before John Reoch retired, his last transaction he worked on was the acquisition of the nearly one-acre lot at 4400 Belfort Place where Blair Pogue has developed this home. John Reoch, who has owned several architecturally significant homes, was delighted to see the success of this home that Blair Pogue has developed.

John Reoch and developer Blair Pogue at reception of 4400 Belfort Place in Highland Park, Dallas, Texas.
It was a delight to listen to John Reoch and Blair Pogue exchange stories and reminisce about the late Mack Pogue.
Developer Blair Pogue and John Reoch at reception for 4400 Belfort Place in Highland Park, Dallas, Texas.
The stories that John Reoch and Blair Pogue shared about the late developer Mack Pogue at 4400 Belfort Place were incredible. John Reoch, as Mack Pogue’s real estate attorney, and Blair Pogue, Mack Pogue’s son, have both worked on developments of Mack Pogue’s around the world. The instinct for quality runs in the family and John Reoch was delighted to see this quality at 4400 Belfort Place.

It is a great honor to represent Blair Pogue and Blantyre Homes as the listing broker selling 4400 Belfort Place. Blair Pogue has developed the finest new home in Highland Park. Since I specialize in architecturally significant homes, this is the only occasion where a developer has built a home to sell that has the same architectural significance of the homes in Highland Park designed by the finest architects in Highland Park in the 1920s.

Developer Blair Pogue and Realtor Douglas Newby at reception for 4400 Belfort Place, Highland Park, Dallas, Texas.
On the left is Highland Park home developer Blair Pogue of Blantyre Homes and real estate broker Douglas Newby who is listing 4400 Belfort Place for sale.
Developer of 4400 Belfort Place, Blair Pogue, and Realtors Douglas Newby and Connie Harkins seen at reception of this home in Highland Park, Dallas, Texas.
Pictured from left is developer Blair Pogue of Blantyre Homes, listing broker of 4400 Belfort Place, Douglas Newby, and associate broker of Douglas Newby and Associates, Connie Harkins.
Cristin and Blair Pogue, the developer, with Realtors Douglas Newby and Connie Harkins at the Spanish Revival designed home at 4400 Belfort Place in Highland Park, Texas.
Blair Pogue, Cristin Pogue, Connie Harkins, Douglas Newby.
Developer Blair Pogue and wife Cristin with friend Margot Otte, who has lived in many architecturally significant homes in Highland Park, at the reception for 4400 Belfort Place, Dallas, Texas.
Friends looking at 4400 Belfort Place including Margot Otte, third from left, who also grew up in Highland Park and has lived in many architecturally significant homes herself, and has a great eye and appreciation for fabulous design and quality. Also pictured from left are developer Blair Pogue of Blantyre Homes, his wife Cristin Pogue, Margot Otte, and listing broker Douglas Newby.
Developer Blair Pogue explaining the design of 4400 Belfort Place in Highland Park, the Spanish Revival estate home.
Blair Pogue at 4400 Belfort Place explaining his approach to developing this Spanish Revival style home.

Laura Brady is a Great Example of Young Dynamic Business Leaders that Dallas Attracts

Laura Brady, business leader of Strive in Dallas.
Laura Brady, Executive Vice President, Business Development-Wealth Management,of Strive is a great example of the dynamic business leaders that Dallas attracts.

Laura Brady is a great example of the dynamic business leaders that Dallas attracts. Here her success building Strive and her contributions to Dallas are being celebrated. Harvard graduate, Captain of her college hockey team, her contagious success inspires all who meet her. No wonder Dallas keeps building on its success when it attracts this type of talent!


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