La Reunion TX (est. January 2006) is an artist residency in the making in Dallas.  Currently we engage a 35 acre urban forest as outdoor studio and gallery space. 
 
Someday, we will host artists working in a variety of media for periods ranging from one week to one year. In exchange for live/work space, jury selected artists will be expected to give back to the community through programs, exhibits, performances, and installations. The residency will be built on a 35 acre site in Oak Cliff and will be as green and high performing as possible, modeling to the community sustainable living. Our site features a giant railroad trestle, left over from high speed mass transit of yesteryear.  In addition, our business plan has an eye toward long-term sustainability not only with our facility, but also with the bottom line. We seek to transform our community through art and create lasting social change in Dallas. La Reunion TX is a 501(c)3. (NOT affiliated with La Reunion Towncenter, LLC)
 
Mission: The mission of La Reunion TX is to create an arts residency in Dallas that inspires, sustains, and renews artists and community through education and outreach.
 
The original La Reunion was a European Utopian community founded in 1855 by Victor Considerant, a follower of Francois Marie Charles Fourier. La Reunion's ranks included tailors, shoemakers, milliners, jewelers, watchmakers, weavers, vintners, brew masters, and storekeepers. The colony even included naturalists, philosophers, musicians, dance masters, and poets. There were chefs, butchers, candle and soap makers, but no farmers and stockmen. Nor did they have strong leadership - Considerant was much more a social experimenter than a taskmaster, administrator, or leader of men.
 
La Reunion ultimately did not survive for many reasons, including the harsh North Texas weather conditions. And although some of the settlers returned to Europe, many moved into Dallas and created a rich source of skilled artisans and craftsmen during Dallas' formative years. LRTX is inspired to recall these histories, to acknowledge the artists who have gone before us and to remember the importance of their contribution to Dallas.
 
Q&A
 
What is an Arts Residency? 
The Alliance of Artists Communities defines an arts residency as:
1.  Artists’ communities are professionally run organizations that provide dedicated time and space for creative work.
2.  Artists are “in residence” for a specified period of time; whether two weeks or two years; the time is generally predetermined and the residency is not meant to be endless.
3.  Residencies are provided at no cost to the artists, or are heavily subsidized by other revenue sources, thus offering significant support to the artists.
 
How do I apply for a residency at La Reunion TX? 
La Reunion TX isn't accepting residents at this time.  We are in the business of sustaining artists and we currently achieve that through our innovative programs by using the wooded site as both studio and gallery.  Sign up on our mailing list to receive our monthly newsletter with all the current 'calls for artists'.
 
How many residencies are there in the US?
There are more than 80 residencies in the United States and only a handful in Texas such as Art Pace in San Antonio, Project Row Houses in Houston and Chinati Foundation in Marfa.  There are more than 27 residency programs in the NorthEast United States and more than 9 in California alone.  These areas are traditionally thought of as desirable places to live in if you are an artist. 
 
Are there other expectations of the artists while in residence besides just creating art work?
Yes.  Artists at La Reunion TX give back to the community of Dallas (and North Texas) through education and outreach opportunities, installations, performances, and more.  Art Chicas Unidas and our Environmental Art Program are examples.  Collaborations with other organizations are being planned to ensure that the creativity that is nurtured at La Reunion TX will nurture our community.
 
Does La Reunion TX collaborate with other non-profits?
La Reunion TX works with other non-profit organizations to further more than one mission at once and stretch dollars further in the community : Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Architecture Forum, Dallas Art Dealers Association, Girl Scouts of NorthEast Texas, CityGallery, Deaf Action Center Texas, McKinney Avenue Contemporary, Margaret and Trammell Crow Collection of Asian Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, Student Conservation Association, Texas Discovery Gardens, Texas Next Top Designer, University of Texas Arlington School of Architecture.  Other collaborations are in various stages of development. 
 
How many people has La Reunion TX touched through our programs?
Thousands of artists, designers, architects, students, patrons, art collectors, art lovers and dreamers have been inspired by La Reunion TX programs since January 2006.
 
Where has La Reunion been featured in press?
Channel 8 News, KERA Think (TV and radio), Dallas Morning News, Oak Cliff People, CliffDweller Magazine, Modern Luxury, Architectural Record, Marfa Public Radio, Impact Texas (radio), Dallas Observer, KERA Art and Seek Blog, High Line Blog (NYC), Pegasus News, and more.
 
Cynthia Izaguirre with Channel 8 news says “Dozens of local artists have banded together to turn the overgrown garden into a masterpiece.”  
 
Singer, songwriter Edie Brickell says “Oak Cliff is a soulful place in it own, but La Reunion breathes a whole new life into the cosmocultural pulse of its contributions.”  
 
Where is La Reunion TX located?
Our 35 acre property is on West Jefferson, near Cockrell Hill Road.  It is wilderness and appropriate clothing is a must.   It is not open to the public and visitation must be arranged in advance.  If you visit the site without permission, you are trespassing.  Please contact us to attend a tour.

 
 
  • on site meeting summer 09
  • Student Conseravation Association on site summer 09
  • Second Annual Art Chicas Unidas Nov 08
  • Channel 8 reporter Cynthia Izaguirre on the site
  • Tree Art by Brad Ford Smith '08
  • Tree Art by Allan Arp '08
  • bench carved by artist Kevin Obregon
  • SMU Frat boys participate in one of our cleanup days

 

 

 

 

 

La Reunion TX Donors