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Built in 1912 by East Texas oilman J.P. Blake, the Modified Prairie Foursquare home at 401 N. Rosemont was planned by the arts-minded Blake family to be a center of culture in the young neighborhood. They hosted elaborate lawn parties and musical events for the community. During the next few decades, the house was variously used as a boarding house and a church and underwent structural changes which caused deterioration.

The Society (OCSFA), which was founded in 1926, purchased Turner House in 1957, naming it for Mrs. E.P. Turner, the long-time patron and a founder of OCSFA.

“Not only has the Society invested thousands of hours of sweat equity and raised several hundred thousand dollars for the Turner House restoration,” said Society President Scott Chase, “we have also been true to the original Blake vision of Turner House as an arts venue for the whole city.”

2012 was a year-long celebration of the Centennial of the storied home. During the year, the floors were returned to their original hardwood splendor, the formal parlor was freshened and both sets of pocket doors are operational once again. Of most significance, however, was restoring the beauty of the hidden fireplace in the Winnetka Heights Hall and revealing the elegance of the main staircase. “We intend for Turner House to be here at least another 100 years,” Chase said.

The award will be presented on Wednesday, May 15, in a ceremony from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Dallas City Performance Hall.  Along with the Stewardship Award, Preservation Dallas will honor the 2013 recipients of its Preservation Achievement Awards.   The evening will include a special tribute to The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.

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On Thursday, April 18th, architect Marcel Quimby will present an illustrated lecture/discussion on “Current Issues and Trends in Preservation”. Ms. Quimby will address the revitalization of neighborhoods, preservation of the recent past (mid-century architecture) and what we can learn from preservation successes and failures. Discussion will address local examples as well as trends occurring nationally. Marcel Quimby, FAIA, is a principal at Quimby McCoy Preservation Architecture, LLP, specializing in the restoration, adaptive use and architectural conservation of historic buildings.

Turner House is located at 401 N. Rosemont, 75208. The presentations will all take place between 7:30 and 9 pm, doors open at 7 pm. Refreshments will be served. Tickets will be $20 for non-members and $15 for OCSFA members and students; series tickets are available at $50 for non-members and $35 for members. Tickets can be purchased at the door or through our website, using the PayPal form below. Tickets purchased via PayPal will be available at Will Call the night of each event.

For more information please contact Kenda North, 214-563-9852,
kenda@kendanorth.com

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Twenty-five artists exhibited 33 pieces, including painting, sculpture, works on paper, assemblage, wood and glass. A number of the entries were sold during the 2-day event.

Hobratschk’s winning work is a copper plate etching of Turner House itself and becomes a permanent piece of the Turner House collection, which includes works by many well-known early 20th century Texas artists. He was awarded a Purchase Prize of $500.

Weekend events included artist receptions on Friday and Saturday evenings. On Saturday, there was a painting demonstration by Oak Cliff artist Mike Schroeder, food trucks, children’s “make and take” classes by Oil and Cotton of Oak Cliff and a “bike swarm” sponsored by the Dallas Art Dealers Association (DADA) and Bike Friendly Oak Cliff which toured art galleries across the river and ended at Turner House and its art show. Bikers and other visitors were treated to home-brewed beverages provided by some Oak Cliff and Kings Highway brewers.

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Scott Chase, President of the Oak Cliff Society of Fine Arts, owner of Turner House, labeled the first half of the campaign a ”notable success.“

“Turner House is an important and beloved symbol of Oak Cliff,” said Chase. “It was built as a grand edifice by East Texas oilman J.P. Blake in 1912 for the then staggering cost of $50,000. At the venerable old age of 100, it now has restoration needs that the Centennial Campaign will help us to meet. We want to leave this landmark for many future generations to use and love.”

The Turner House Council of 100 was formed earlier in the year to recognize those who make substantial donations to Turner House. Levels are Founder, $10,000; Patron, $5,000; Legacy, $2,500, and Supporter, $1,000.

The Winnetka Heights Neighborhood Association stepped up as the Founder and the large meeting room on the first floor of Turner House will be named Winnetka Heights Hall, in honor of its generous donation.

Other Council of 100 donors include Joe McElroy and Linda Holt, James Prothro and Alfred Martinez, Scott Chase and Debra Witter, Marguerite Domatti and Gay Addington, Beverly and George Palmer, Joy and Kirk Kirksey, Arts Funding Development Group, LLC (Paula Murphy, Owner), Russ Aikman, Carolyn and David Dunnigan, Carol and Jack Hagler, Thomas Marshall, Diane and Corky Sherman, Chris Barker and Lee Ruiz, Jan and Richard Doherty, David Griffin and James Ferrara, Reginald and Madeline Schwoch, and Judy Pollock.

Several events are in the works to mark the 100th year of Turner House. Plans are almost complete for a juried art show in September, “100 Years of Oak Cliff Art” and will be announced in the near future.

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The show is open to all artists living in, working in, or otherwise affiliated with Oak Cliff (zip codes 75208, 75211, 75203, 75224, 75233). Twenty-five (25) works will be selected for the show.

Acceptable media are original, handmade works, including fabric, sculpture, photography, printmaking, painting and mixed media. No film/video.

You must submit your application via EntryThingy here.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact michelle.stellmaker@freemanco.com.

The guest jurors are Lisa Taylor, Executive Director of Dallas Art Dealers Association (DADA), Kenneth Craighead, Co-owner, Craighead Green Gallery and Benito Huerta, Director of The Gallery at UTA.

Artwork must be ready to hang or be displayed. Maximum size for 2D work is no larger than 24” x 24”, while a 3D work must be able to fit on a standard size 12 x 12 pedestal (which the artist must provide).

The deadline for submissions is midnight, August 17, 2012; limit 5 submissions per applicant. You must also submit a resume. The cost for submitting your work is $10 per application. Only one application per artist. You will be notified via email by September 7 if your work is selected. If you don’t hear from us by that date, your work was not selected. If your entry is selected, you will need to deliver it to Turner House during the week of September 17.

Saturday, the exhibit and activities run from noon to 8:00 p.m, with a reception for the exhibit from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Everyone is invited!

Grand prize will be a Purchase Prize of $500 and the work will become part of the permanent collection of Turner House. Other prizes may be announced.

Turner House has a permanent collection of works by Dallas artists, generally from the Texas Regionalist movement of the 1930s and 1940s, and it looks forward to complementing this collection with a work by a contemporary Texas artist.

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2012-2015 Board members
Kenda North (2nd term)
Cindy Lawson (1st term)
Thomas Marshall (1st term)
Diana Pollak (1st term)

Current Board Members
Susan Amason
Carolyn Dunnigan
Denis Duncan
Kirk Kirksey
Beverly Palmer

Emeritus Board Members
Russ Aikman
Michael Anderson
Jan Doherty
Gay Addingon
Jennifer Castro
James Prothro
Alfred Martinez
Marguerite Domatti

Advisory Board Members
David Dike
Konrad Shields
David Griffin
Paul Maute

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