Anniversary Celebration Recap

Thursday, October 26, 2023 6:30 PM 18:30
Monday, November 20, 2023 9:59 PM 21:59

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Anniversary Celebration

We so enjoyed celebrating all that we’ve accomplished in 2023 and looking forward to what’s ahead at our annual Anniversary Celebration and Benefit Concert.

We all, as creators—patrons and artists—have something to contribute. In 2023, we’ve worked toward building a community that recognizes the power of beauty and the capacity for transformation that beauty brings.

The evening featured the On Mortality group gallery exhibit with artist talks and performances from Sandra McCracken and local musician Paul Demer.

We are working to raise $20,000 by the end of 2023 to fund specific programs. If you would like to contribute toward that goal, please click the button below.

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Featured Artists

Sandra McCracken

Sandra McCracken is a singer-songwriter and hymn writer from Nashville, Tennessee. A prolific recording artist, McCracken has produced 14 solo albums over two decades. Her best selling release, Psalms (2015) received critical acclaim, followed by God’s Highway (2017) which made the top 50 on Billboard Heatseekers chart without a major label. She has had songs featured in TV, including ‘Ten Thousand Angels’ on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and has over 15 million streams. Blending the old and new, Sandra has also shown a unique ability to recast sacred scripture texts into theologically rich yet accessible songs. Her thoughtful lyrics and gospel melodies in songs like “We Will Feast In The House Of Zion,” “Steadfast" and “Thy Mercy My God” have become staple anthems in churches across the U.S. As a published writer, she contributes a regular column in Christianity Today and released her first book "Send Out Your Light" in September 2021.

Featured Local Musician: Paul Demer

Paul Demer is a singer-songwriter, record producer, outreach musician, and worship leader.

Paul connects with diverse audiences in living rooms, bars, churches, nursing homes, and hospitals in his hometown of Dallas, TX and across the country. Passionate about the craft of songwriting, he has released several albums of original music, and was recently selected as a finalist in Kerrville Folk Festival's New Folk songwriting competition. In addition to producing his own records, Paul has produced over 50 tracks for fellow singer-songwriters. He has played over 1,500 concerts in local nursing homes and hospitals, in partnership with the Dallas-Fort Worth non-profit Texas Winds Musical Outreach, and he currently serves as a Music Minister at St. Matthew's Episcopal Cathedral. When not making music, Paul and his wife, Trisha, enjoy reading, spending time outside, and good conversation.

Featured Visual Artists

Jackie Davis (Juba)

Juba is a self-taught artist and graphic designer from Dallas, TX. His artistic journey began during his early teenage years with a fascination for drawing cartoons. Following his high school graduation, his interest in graphic design took root, prompting him to pursue college courses in art and graphic communication. During this time, he developed a profound interest in merging these skills, focusing on the creation of abstract portraits and figures, which became the cornerstone of his artistic expression.

His educational path led him to obtain both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work. These degrees propelled him into a fulfilling career serving children within the child welfare system. Today, he finds great joy in both his artistic pursuits and his unwavering dedication to supporting and uplifting his community.

Nicki Licking

Nicki Licking holds BFA with a concentration in metals and has a background in fiber art, painting, and furniture building. She works as an environmental designer. In Nicki’s personal work, she focuses on the concept of relationships between a person and the Creator, between two individual people, and among groups of people.

Tim Hudson

Originally from the Midwest, Tim Hudson is an artist who has spent much of his adult life in Texas. He is currently based in Dallas and draws much of his inspiration from the rhythm and melodies of his daily life and the experiences that have shaped him along the way. Tim has spent over 30 years as a graphic designer, art director, creative director, and, for the past 18 years, running his own advertising agency. Having a well-developed tool kit wrought from years of experience being a problem solver for others, he’s now focused on expressing personal and universal themes through abstract and impressionistic paintings.