By Salah Izzedin

The DFW metro is known for many things, including a vibrant arts scene. The famous Dallas Nine turned the art spotlight on Dallas in the first half of the 20th century, and the Big D has never looked back. Dallas boasts a real dedication to supporting the arts, and its bustling Arts and Design districts host an impressive number of galleries.

Equally impressive is the talent pool of Dallas-based artists. With no shortage of creatives to choose from, it’s hard to play favorites, but here is my curated list of five of the most exciting artists living and working in Dallas.

Arturo Torres

Arturo Torres found himself in the national spotlight in 2015 with his book “The Rap Year Book: The Most Important Rap Song From Every Year Since 1979, Discussed, Debated, and Deconstructed.” The book was a collaboration between Torres and author Shea Serrano, with Torres doing the illustrations. He and Serrano have so far collaborated on three best-selling books.

As a visual artist, his works bridge the gap between fine art and pop media. He cites superheroes as a major influence, and renders his subjects (many of them pop icons in their own right) in a vibrant, textured style reminiscent of comic books.

Exploredinary

Exploredinary is the creative brainchild of University of Texas alums Sarah Reyes and Daniel Driensky. Founded in 2015, the agency specializes in documentary filmmaking, photography, and art, often with other visual artists as their subjects. 

The globe-trotting couple have had their works featured internationally from London to Kathmandu, with their work being described as “curious and playful.” 

DRIGO

Eric Gutíerrez Rodriguez, better known by his artist’s mononym DRIGO, is a Dallas artist taking his style to the streets. He is perhaps best known for his large-scale painting of the 4DWN Skatepark in collaboration with Zumiez. As a longtime skater, DRIGO was a natural choice for the job. 

His signature vivid style and palette can be seen in public works throughout Dallas, including his mural “The Collective Experience” at The Hill Shopping Center.

Brent Ozaeta 

Painter and printmaker Brent Ozaeta is a frequent featured in art shows throughput Dallas-Fort Worth. His paintings use silk screen printing techniques to create a unique style that draws heavily from both Pop Art and Japanese animation.

Ozaeta received the Dallas Museum of Art Degoyler artist award, and was featured in New American Paintings and the Texas Biennial.

Sergio Garcia

Although  sculptor Sergio Garcia is Dallas-based, his work has reached far beyond the Texas border. He began as a muralist and graffiti artist before taking the visual languages of both to the galleries. His intriguing pieces are at once life-like and surreal, playful and thought-provoking. 

Garcia has an impressive list of celebrity patrons (including Miley Cyrus and Seth Rogen) and already has been featured in numerous solo exhibitions throughout the country.

Art in the City 

Make sure to keep an eye out for these and many other artists on the rise from our very own Dallas. Long live the Dallas Art Scene! 

About Salah Izzedin