ZimSculpt exhibit promotes artists

By Juliette Coulter

To celebrate the Summer of Sculpture exhibition opening with the return of ZimSculpt, a display of Zimbabwean sculpture, the Dallas Arboretum hosts its first ever Black Heritage Celebration on Saturday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free with paid garden admission.

According to Linda Todd, Dallas Arboretum board member and Black Heritage Celebration committee chair, “The Black Heritage Celebration at the Arboretum honors and celebrates diversity by showcasing the work of Black designers, artists, entertainers and vendors as they proudly display, engage with and educate the community of the beauty and inspiration of Black culture.”

She added, “This family friendly day also kicks off the opening weekend of the internationally acclaimed ZimSculpt exhibit that promotes the work of more than 100 Zimbabwean sculptures installed throughout the garden.”

Tying into events surrounding ZimSculpt, the Black Heritage Celebration Day is packed with cooking demonstrations, music, dance and a vendor fair of more than 20 Black-owned businesses showcasing and selling their handiwork. 

Schedule

10 a.m.-3 p.m. — Black Owned Businesses Vendor Fair: Visitors are welcome to shop and support these businesses, many of which are small businesses. Vendors include jewelry, clothing, food and more. Enjoy their offerings available at A Tasteful Place, Entry Plaza and Paseo de Flores on the Arboretum grounds.

9:30 a.m.-Noon — Various performances by local groups including St. Luke Community United Methodist Church, Bishop Arts Theatre Center, Carter High School Alumni Chorus and Dallas Black Dance Theatre ENCORE (Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn and DeGolyer Pergola)

Noon – Cooking Demonstration with local teen sensation, Kevin the Pie Dude, demonstrating how to make a Key Lime pie. He also sells pies; quantities limited. (A Tasteful Place)

1 p.m. — Crown Jewel Fashion Experience showcases Black designers under the direction of Anita Hawkins, hosted by LeTitia Owens along with Willie Johnson, model fashion guru. (Jonsson Color Garden) 

2-4 p.m. – Don Diego Band plays jazz and R&B (Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn).

Running from May 1 to August 8 at the Dallas Arboretum as the Summer of Sculpture exhibition, ZimSculpt, features the talent of several contemporary Zimbabwean artists with more than 100 hand-selected, exquisite sculptures artfully displayed throughout the garden. These contemporary pieces, created by the Shona people of Zimbabwe, are carved from various types of serpentine and semi-precious stone, often weighing tons, and can be as large as seven feet tall. 

ZimSculpt is passionate about promoting the work of some of the finest Zimbabwean sculptors. Therefore, as part of the exhibit, guests are welcome to watch artists and sculptors Passmore Mupindiko and Brighton Layson demonstrate their artistry daily as they carve statues with chisels, hammers, files and sandpaper. 

Visitors may purchase any of the sculptures on display in the garden, as well as the ones created by the onsite artists in The Marketplace, which is located in the Dallas Arboretum’s Pecan Grove. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the sculptures and items in The Marketplace supports the Dallas Arboretum.

ZimSculpt is supported in part by the Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District. 

Tickets must be pre-purchased online or by calling 214-515-6615. Wearing a face covering is required for all guests 5 years of age and older while visiting the Dallas Arboretum, unless medically unable to do so. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218.  The Dallas Arboretum is also the home of the internationally acclaimed Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. The Arboretum is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for children 2-12 and free for Arboretum members and children 2 and under. There is an additional cost of $3 per person for entrance into the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. Parking is $10. For more information, call 214-515-6500 or visit dallasarboretum.org.