Art and Real Estate Collide with Beautiful Results

All photos: Daniel Martinez DM Photography

Art and real estate are colliding with beautiful results in the worlds of two promising Dallasites.

Jennifer Ayyad and Ricardo Salas, Jr. just wrapped up a successful art show at Coeval Studios in the Dallas Design District. In attendance on Sept. 15 were about 100 designers, builders, architects, Realtors, friends, family, collectors, and clients.

By day, Ayyad is a Realtor with Nathan Grace and Salas is sales professional. Both of these seasoned artists found a receptive audience in the real estate world with their artwork. The purpose of the show was to reintroduce themselves and their new works of art in a private show.

“The importance of the event was to draw the local community in, inspire, and connect them—we firmly believe that creativity [inspires] our community’s growth,” Ayyad said, noting one reason they chose the Design District for their venue is the area’s creative vibe.

“The Design District is changing so much—I have sold property there and it’s really great that my real estate and art clients came out to support me as I have watched their businesses grow,” she said. “That is the essence of community supporting others.”

We’ve written about Ayyad before, Nathan Grace Realtor Jennifer Ayyad Blends Her Passions for Real Estate, Art. She creates extraordinary, large-scale, colorful acrylic paintings, often on clear acrylic.

Salas, an Oak Cliff native, is a self-taught, abstract artist using acrylics and oil paint as his preferred medium.

“Ricardo and I get to do what we are passionate about in a community we both love and grew up in,” Ayyad said. “Our artistic styles are multifaceted—what I have learned from my real estate and art career is that those in the design industry, including builders/architects, are always looking for ways to set themselves apart.”

Ayyad said since the show, the two have sold numerous pieces and been commissioned for other upcoming projects.

“We hope to do another show soon and aside from working on several commissions, we will be donating art to several local charities that include, but are not limited to, Scottish Rite, Dallas Challenge, Naomi’s Village, and Art House Dallas,” she said.