Fair Shake.

A Definitive Guide To This Week’s Dallas Art Fair.

As I stood in a small shack next to the Erin Cluley Gallery, swaying underneath the pale light of a disco ball inscribed repeatedly with the word “me,” listening to a slowed down version of Carly Simon’s 1972 hit “You’re So Vain” inside of Oliver Cregg’s installation, I knew I was finally ready for Dallas Arts Week.

Hands down, this is the busiest week of the visual arts calendar year. There are parties, there are openings and there are people from around the country and the world. There is money to be made, friendships to be kindled, hearts to be broken and more art than you can possibly see.

Think of this as an exclusive look into how to navigate the busiest week of the art-world year.

Wednesday.
• “Dropout”: Curated by Photios Giovanis at Site 131 from 5 to 8 p.m., panel discussion at 5 p.m.
This group show features work by Lee Lozano who abruptly withdrew from the New York art scene to move to Dallas where her work was never shown until now. This is yet another intriguing show from Joan and Seth Davidow’s new project.

• “TUFF LOVE” by Karl Holmqvist at The Power Station from 6 to 9 p.m., performance by Stefan Tcherepnin at 7 p.m.
Even though the Dallas Art Fair does not officially start until Friday, insiders know that Fair season really kicks off Wednesday evening at The Power Station. This year is no exception. Be sure to be there by 7 p.m. for a musical performance by conceptual artist and poet Karl Holmqvist and multimedia artist Stefan Tcherepnin.

• BeeFlix Vol.2 at Beefhaus from 7 to 9 p.m.
This art film series curated by Patrick Romeo is an exciting collection of films and videos by mostly Dallas-based artists, with a strong selection of national artists as well. There are some really great artists in this series, and this is a rare opportunity to check out the state of the video art amongst artists working in the city.

• Spring Sounds by Aurora x What is Cinema at Lee Harvey’s from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
There are three bars where one will have a greater-than-normal chance of spotting glamorous artist types this week: Midnight Rambler, Double Wide and Lee Harvey’s. This is an Arts Week party by the team at Aurora and What is Cinema, and features music by Rat Rios and DJ Christy Ray.

Thursday.
• Reception for New Manager Harold Steward at the South Dallas Cultural Center 6 to 8 p.m.
There has been a changing of the guard at the South Dallas Cultural Center, as beloved artist and arts administrator Vicki Meek has retired from the Center to focus full time on her art. This event welcomes the new manager, Harold Steward, who is certainly no stranger to the Dallas arts community or the South Dallas community, having worked at the SDCC since 2007. Steward is a tremendous artist, cultural organizer and community activist with a national profile who should be able to not only continue, but also enhance the legacy of excellence at the SDCC.

• “Process to Product” at Creative Arts Center of Dallas from 6 to 8 p.m.
It is the Creative Arts Center’s 50th anniversary, and they are hosting a series of exhibitions and events to celebrate. This exhibition focuses on lifting the veil of five of their teaching artists to expose their artistic process.

• Preview Gala by the Dallas Art Fair at F.I.G. from 7 to 10 p.m.
There are several ways to experience the Dallas Art Fair, including some great free ways to do so. However, there are also some expensive ways that might be worth considering if you have the cash. One is to get a Patron pass for $500 and check out everything — all the parties, tours, events, and art you could wish for over these next few days. Another, is to get a ticket to the preview gala benefiting the Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center and Dallas Contemporary. This will only set you back $250, and you will be amongst the first to see all of the great art while enjoying copious amounts of champagne. Plus, the people watching is enormously entertaining.

• “Sideways Corner” by Barbara Kasten at The Meyerson Symphony Center
This event, brought to you by the Soluna Festival, pairs a video installation by Barbara Kasten with music by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. It is free to attend, and affords you a great opportunity to meet up with your annoying friend who somehow scored preview gala tickets.

Friday.
• Dallas Art Fair Day One at F.I.G. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
This is the first official day of the 8th annual Dallas Art Fair where 95 prominent national and international art dealers and galleries will exhibit paintings, sculptures, works on paper, photography, video, and installations. There is a lot of art to see. The great news is that you can see all of it for free (Friday only) by using the code DAFProfessionalsDay2016 on the ticketing page.

• Dan Colen, Helmut Lang and Paola Piva at Dallas Contemporary from 7 to 10 p.m.
This is the members-only opening of three new shows at the Dallas Contemporary (you can become a member at the show for $35).

• “L’ATTICO” by Jesse Morgan Barnett at The Culture Hole (The Power Station) from 10 p.m to midnight.
The Culture Hole is a crawl space underneath the exhibition floor of the Power Station that is curated by Jeff Gibbons and Gregory Ruppe. Jesse Morgan Barnett will be showcasing artwork down in the depth, and you should probably go see it because it could be the most interesting event of the entire weekend.

Saturday.
• “Temporary Collectives” Exhibition at 500 Singelton Blvd. 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
Temporary Collectives is an exhibition featuring the work of 32 current graduate students from a consortium of North Texas universities: University of Texas at Arlington, University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Christian University and Texas A&M Commerce. The show is definitely worth seeing and very smart programming from our universities.

• Dallas Art Fair Day Two at F.I.G 11a.m. to 7 p.m.
This is the second day of the 8th annual Dallas Art Fair where 95 prominent national and international art dealers and galleries will exhibit paintings, sculptures, works on paper, photography, video, and installations. There is a lot of art to see. On this day though you will have to pay $25 for the privilege.

• Fashion/MODA fashion show at Trans.lation Vickery Meadow 11a.m. to 4 p.m.
Trans.lation Vickery Meadow will be celebrating Arts Week with a community fashion show and launch of a public art program. If you have never been to Trans.lation, this is your opportunity to check out one of the best ongoing art projects in the city. Bring some cash with you!

• 360 Panel: A New Art World at Nasher Sculpture Center at 2 p.m.
A panel of art-world heavyweights will have a conversation about the state of the global art market. This should be a fascinating and enlightening conversation. Make sure to RSVP.

• American Dirt at The Reading Room from 4 to 6 p.m., reading by David Searcy 5 p.m.
The closing of the interesting conceptual photography archive show, American Dirt is worth checking out.

• “We Are All Homeless” by Willie Baronet at The MAC from 5 to 9 p.m.
Willie Baronet has been featured nationally and internationally for his socially engaged art projects involving the collecting of signs created by homeless people.

• “Diptychs and Polyptychs Part II” by John Wilcox at 824 Exposition Ave #9 at 6 p.m.
The late John Wilcox work never gets old.

• “MINISHOTS” at the Shamrock Hotel Studios from 6 to 9 p.m.
An often overlooked yet important artist community in Dallas celebrates its 20th anniversary.

• “Misbehaving” by Erin Stafford at Kirk Hopper Gallery from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
This should be a great show by the always interesting Erin Stafford.

• “Soliloquy” by Trenton Doyle Hancock at Public Trust from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
One of the most important Texas artists has a single painting in the Public Trust, and it’s definitely worth the trip just to see it.

• “Hey Sunshine” by Lynne Harlow at Liliana Bloch Gallery from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Next door to the Public Trust you can check out the latest show in a very successful run for Liliana Bloch.

• “LTD” by Travis LaMothe at Beefhaus from 7 to 10 p.m.
Travis LaMothe makes excellent art objects and often injects an equal dash of intelligence and humor into the things he creates.

• “WHATEVS IT’S CHILL” by Pierre Krause at Black Lodge 7 to 11 p.m.
Pierre Krause has been on fire as of late, and Black Lodge has become one of the most important cultural spaces in the city. This is definitely a must-see show.

Sunday.
• Dallas Art Fair Day Three at F.I.G. from noon to 6 p.m.
This is the final day of the 8th annual Dallas Art Fair where 95 prominent national and international art dealers and galleries will exhibit paintings, sculptures, works on paper, photography, video and installations. There is a lot of art to see. On this day, though, you can see it for free by using your student ID or using code DAFStudentSunday.