Now in its fifth year, this inter-collegiate project would not be possible without the vision and generosity of Butch McGregor and Trinity Groves LLC, who provide the exhibition space for our students. It all began humbly with a conversation between Butch and Stephen Lapthisophon about how to invigorate the creative class in West Dallas. Soon Darryl Lauster and John Pomara were brought into the discussion, and these four together founded the first joint exhibition of graduate students in the DFW area. Over the years, the Collectives project has proudly exhibited the work of 90 graduate students from 6 different universities. In 2015 the Nasher Sculpture Center came on board, providing support and outreach to their Avante Garde Society. The Dallas Art Fair generously supports free admission for all students to the art fair and has hosted our project’s panel discussion as part of their event schedule. Thousands of viewers have toured these exhibits. Its success is twofold, many viewers receive an enriching experience they might not otherwise have had access to, and our students develop networks with the public that are not reproducible in a typical classroom setting. The project continues to build access between our students and their community, and between the art programs of the North Texas area.  In 2019, we are proud to include Tamara Johnson and the Sweetpass Sculpture Park as partners in our newest exhibit.

Participating Faculty:

Josephine Durkin, Associate Professor of Art, Texas A&M – Commerce
Stephen Lapthisophon, Adjunct Professor, UTD, Senior Lecturer, UTA
Darryl Lauster:  Associate Professor of Art, University of Texas Arlington
Kenda North, Professor of Art, University of Texas Arlington
John Pomara, Professor of Visual Arts, University of Texas Dallas
Adam Fung, Assistant Professor, Texas Christian University
Brian Molanphy, Associate Professor, Southern Methodist University
Ana Esteve Llorens, Visiting Assistant Professor, University of North Texas
Brian Campbell, Assistant Professor, University of North Texas
Meg Griffiths, Visiting Assistant Professor, Texas Women’s University
Tanya Synar, Associate Professor, Texas Women’s University
Catherine Caesar, Assistant Professor, University of Dallas