The Henderson Art Project

Laura Abrams

Sugar Magnolia

There seems to be a controversy brewing around The Henderson Art Project in Dallas. The project, which places art on Henderson, is the brainchild of local sculptor Scott Trent. It was an immense undertaking to say the least. In its inaugural year the HAP brought in loads of Texas Talent all vying for a position to make Henderson Avenue a little brighter. The winners were announced and the art was placed. A heArt fundraiser was also part of the affair. Artists donated works which were auctioned off to the Richardson Humane Society.

With all this feel goodness, where is the controversy you say... A not so nice article was written up about the artwork on Henderson in the guise of an art review. Lets not forget this wasn't a fussy curated show, but a labor of love showcasing artists who are more often than not thrown to the side. The article reduced the works to a grouping then labeled them all as mediocre.

I don't really know what to say except what is going here? Why the negativity about the injection of art into a public area... Especially an area that needed it. Why break down artists that are not huge celebrities and are just trying to share their work? Why pick apart every artwork and not have one nice thing to say about even one piece? If the art is not your to your liking, that doesn't make is bad. Artists have enough of a hill to climb without having to deal with nasty reviews. If an artist has made it big time, is splashed all over the place, and is raking in the dough they may be open to fair critiques. To be awful to up coming young fresh talent is highly unnecessary.

To all those involved in the Henderson Art Project. Way to go! You did a great job, and your artworks make people happy!