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Best Places to Get Inspired as an Artist in Dallas
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items Sometimes you just need to get away from Pinterest and get into the real world and gather your own inspiration from the things around you! This is a list of my favorite places to go in Dallas when I'm feeling creatively blocked or just generally unin...
From the capybaras at the Dallas Zoo to the sleek modern sculptures at the Nasher, I hope you'll find something that sparks some inspiration for you too!
P.S. All of these make great daytime date spots too :)
From the capybaras at the Dallas Zoo to the sleek modern sculptures at the Nasher, I hope you'll find something that sparks some inspiration for you too!
P.S. All of these make great daytime date spots too :)
Map
This place is an artist's dream! It's my favorite place to be outside and get my steps in during the cooler months!
Every time we go we find something new, and I always leave with loads of inspiring reference images to draw from.
There are so many quiet places to sit and sketch, journal, or have a picnic. It's a great spot for a daytime date too!
They also have some really fun events like art festivals and craft shows, food and wine and music events, as well as special holiday themed evening gatherings.
Every time we go we find something new, and I always leave with loads of inspiring reference images to draw from.
There are so many quiet places to sit and sketch, journal, or have a picnic. It's a great spot for a daytime date too!
They also have some really fun events like art festivals and craft shows, food and wine and music events, as well as special holiday themed evening gatherings.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
The Dallas World Aquarium is another top spot for gathering inspiration for artists.
You'll find a wide variety of tropical plants and foliage and animals including birds, sloths, and more besides just fish!
I love seeing all them up close and I always leave with great photos for sketching.
You'll find a wide variety of tropical plants and foliage and animals including birds, sloths, and more besides just fish!
I love seeing all them up close and I always leave with great photos for sketching.
The Dallas World Aquarium
The Dallas Zoo has come a looong way since my last visit 15+ years ago! They've made so many improvements and really freshened everything up (it used to seem so…blah).
If you can get there during the week during the off season (not summer, lol) it's a pleasant place to stroll around or sit and sketch.
We enjoyed it so much we decided to become members and have been back twice already (in the span of 2 months). The membership gives you free admission + parking which basically pays for itself in the first 2 visits.
If you can get there during the week during the off season (not summer, lol) it's a pleasant place to stroll around or sit and sketch.
We enjoyed it so much we decided to become members and have been back twice already (in the span of 2 months). The membership gives you free admission + parking which basically pays for itself in the first 2 visits.
Dallas Zoo
If you are inspired by flora and fauna then Texas Discovery Gardens is another spot in Dallas you won't want to miss as an artist!
Of course, stroll through the lovely gardens and enjoy the many beautiful fountains but you won't want to miss the Butterfly enclosure - it's just magical! (Be sure to check ahead as this may be seasonal).
The miniature trainyard is a fun (kind of random) art exhibit of its own, with lots of cute hidden surprises that will make you smile.
Of course, stroll through the lovely gardens and enjoy the many beautiful fountains but you won't want to miss the Butterfly enclosure - it's just magical! (Be sure to check ahead as this may be seasonal).
The miniature trainyard is a fun (kind of random) art exhibit of its own, with lots of cute hidden surprises that will make you smile.
Texas Discovery Gardens
An indoor and outdoor museum, the Nasher Sculpture Garden is a lovely, peaceful place to enjoy beautiful modern sculptures of all sizes.
If you ever have the chance to go to an evening event, don't miss it! The exterior lighting at night transforms it into a whole new place.
If you ever have the chance to go to an evening event, don't miss it! The exterior lighting at night transforms it into a whole new place.
Nasher Sculpture Center
The Dallas Museum of Art is an obvious must for art enthusiasts and you'll find art and sculpture from all eras and genres.
If you want to see the whole museum it would probably take several hours (3-4) - I don't think I've ever seen it all in one trip myself. I recommend starting with the sections you're most excited to see instead of trying to go through everything in o...
Their special exhibits are usually pretty interesting as well. Worth keeping an eye out for what's coming or leaving soon.
If you want to see the whole museum it would probably take several hours (3-4) - I don't think I've ever seen it all in one trip myself. I recommend starting with the sections you're most excited to see instead of trying to go through everything in o...
Their special exhibits are usually pretty interesting as well. Worth keeping an eye out for what's coming or leaving soon.
Dallas Museum of Art
"Dallas, but make it Austin, TX". Deep Ellum is a former warehouse district right in the heart of downtown Dallas.
It features some of the coolest public art in the city. You'll find playful sculptures, vibrant murals and brightly painted buildings which now house some of the city's most popular music venues, bars, and restaurants.
Plan to park and walk - you will probably need to pay for parking as most businesses don't have their own parking lots, but luckily there are plenty of pay-to-park lots around the area.
It features some of the coolest public art in the city. You'll find playful sculptures, vibrant murals and brightly painted buildings which now house some of the city's most popular music venues, bars, and restaurants.
Plan to park and walk - you will probably need to pay for parking as most businesses don't have their own parking lots, but luckily there are plenty of pay-to-park lots around the area.
Deep Ellum
40+ larger than life bronze longhorn steers and cowboys on horseback commemorate Dallas's rich history in the cattle industry
At nearly 3 acres, Pioneer Plaza is the largest public open space in the central business district, and visitors are allowed to ‘roam free’ among the sculptures and native plantscapes.
Plenty of photo ops and inspiration here!
At nearly 3 acres, Pioneer Plaza is the largest public open space in the central business district, and visitors are allowed to ‘roam free’ among the sculptures and native plantscapes.
Plenty of photo ops and inspiration here!
Pioneer Plaza Longhorn Cattle Drive
Cityscapes and people watching galore! Klyde Warren Park is a 5.4 acre park scaped above an 8 lane freeway in the heart of downtown Dallas.
Against the backdrop of the iconic Dallas city skyline you'll find a wide open green space with plenty of nearby shopping, restaurants, and people to watch.
Even if you're not into urban sketching, if you like architecture and people watching you'll find plenty of inspiration in this popular spot, with regular events scheduled day and night!
Against the backdrop of the iconic Dallas city skyline you'll find a wide open green space with plenty of nearby shopping, restaurants, and people to watch.
Even if you're not into urban sketching, if you like architecture and people watching you'll find plenty of inspiration in this popular spot, with regular events scheduled day and night!
Klyde Warren Park
FREE and open to the public, the Crow Collection of Asian Art celebrates the arts and cultures of China, Japan, India and Southeast Asia through a variety of permanent and traveling exhibitions.
The art spans across the ages, from ancient to contemporary, and includes over 1000 pieces. Explore ceramics, jade sculptures, Buddhas from the Ming Dynasty, intricate Indian temple carvings, Japanese screen paintings, textiles, and more!
There is a second collection located in Richardson, TX.
The art spans across the ages, from ancient to contemporary, and includes over 1000 pieces. Explore ceramics, jade sculptures, Buddhas from the Ming Dynasty, intricate Indian temple carvings, Japanese screen paintings, textiles, and more!
There is a second collection located in Richardson, TX.
Crow Collection Of Asian Art (UT Dallas Campus)
Bishop Arts District is a trendy neighborhood just south of downtown Dallas, featuring restaurants, eclectic boutiques, art galleries, antique stores, and more!
At certain times of year, you'll find outdoor arts and crafts shows, music and food festivals, wine walks, and more! Plan to park and walk - paid lots are available nearby.
At certain times of year, you'll find outdoor arts and crafts shows, music and food festivals, wine walks, and more! Plan to park and walk - paid lots are available nearby.
Bishop Arts District
The Green Family Art Foundation is a non-profit museum showcasing underrepresented and minority artists.
The museum is free and open to the public, and you'll find it in the Dallas Arts District near the DMA, Nasher and Crow Museum of Asian Art
The museum is free and open to the public, and you'll find it in the Dallas Arts District near the DMA, Nasher and Crow Museum of Asian Art
Green Family Art Foundation (FREE)
The giant 30-foot tall eyeball sculpture is one of Dallas's most iconic photo ops, located at the Joule hotel in the heart of the city.
It is simultaneously awe-inspiring and extremely eerie, and viewers speculate wildly about the meaning of the installation. When people ask artist Tony Tasset what it means, he refuses to answer, simply stating it means “whatever you want”.
It is simultaneously awe-inspiring and extremely eerie, and viewers speculate wildly about the meaning of the installation. When people ask artist Tony Tasset what it means, he refuses to answer, simply stating it means “whatever you want”.
The EYEBORETUM
The Warehouse Dallas is a non-profit art foundation located in North Dallas. The installations are truly thought-provoking and evocative.
According to their website, “The Warehouse’s changing exhibitions have been developed specifically to suggest new perspectives on art and invite fresh questions that challenge and expand accepted narratives of history.”
Free open hours are most Saturdays (closed on certain days around holidays) but do require registration ahead of time. You can RSVP online to grab your free ticket.
According to their website, “The Warehouse’s changing exhibitions have been developed specifically to suggest new perspectives on art and invite fresh questions that challenge and expand accepted narratives of history.”
Free open hours are most Saturdays (closed on certain days around holidays) but do require registration ahead of time. You can RSVP online to grab your free ticket.
The Warehouse Dallas