The Oak Cliff Art Walk is at East Dock Tomorrow!

Proxy Properties developer A.J. Ramler never imagined his creative efforts to keep church pews out of the landfill would result in what has become one of South Dallas’s most exciting community art events — the Oak Cliff Art Walk 2025 at East Dock, this Saturday, October 4.

Ramler and his team are widely known for taking buildings most would consider unsalvageable and not only saving them but also turning them into places that serve the community. When his team began revitalization work on the Oak Cliff Assembly in the Brentwood neighborhood of Oak Cliff several years ago, there were, of course, pews in the church. 

“As preservationists, we knew they were an important part of the story of the church,” Ramler said. But they limited what the space could become for the community.

“We thought we’d have an open house and people could come and buy a pew, but most were badly damaged,” Ramler said. Then an artist approached Ramler about painting a pew. That was the lightbulb moment. Damaged pews were cut up and turned into canvases. The word went out, and 30 artists turned up to grab one and paint it. A few weeks later, an art show was held to show off their efforts, and 800 people showed up.

“We were floored,” Ramler said. “We also realized the community wanted something different, a more casual space for an art event.

The historic Dallas landmark has now become a bookable sanctuary space with offices for creatives, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs. This year, Proxy Properties is relocating the Oak Cliff Art Walk 2025 to new digs at East Dock, and yes, it’s another of their revitalization success stories!  

In addition to the Oak Cliff Art Walk, there will be an announcement regarding Halperin Park’s corporate office, which will be relocating its headquarters to East Dock. 

“This building started in 1915 as Oak Cliff’s only ice house — serving the community for decades before transforming into an airplane factory, then a book factory,” Ramler said. “After that, it sat vacant for more than ten years, just waiting for its next chapter. Now, instead of ice or machinery, it’s becoming a community hub. With 63,000 square feet and 20 different future tenants, East Dock is proof that history doesn’t have to be torn down — it can be reimagined into something that belongs to everyone.” 

This year, the Oak Cliff Art Walk 2025 has grown to almost 500 submissions from 140 zip codes, with more than 250 from the southern sector. There will be 80 food, drink, and retail vendors, and over ten major local community organizations are also participating. What is most exciting this year is that five local schools have integrated the Oak Cliff Art Walk into their curriculum, with more than 1,000 students contributing projects, so that we will be seeing the next generation of artists tomorrow!

“This is a major milestone for the project and the neighborhood,” Ramler said. “Just like East Dock, Halperin Park is all about reconnecting and revitalizing our community, and they’re proud to be part of our story. For me, real estate isn’t just about buildings. It’s about creating spaces that invite people to connect, dream, and feel a sense of belonging. That’s what East Dock and the Art Walk are all about. A place and an event where everybody is somebody.”

The Oak Cliff Art Walk 2025 at East Dock takes place this Saturday, October 4, 3–9 pm