This Weekend’s Dallas Art Events: Lea Fisher at Samuel Lynne Gallery + The Other Art Fair

May 13, 2025 | Elaine Raffel | | Designer's Corner

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An exhibit featuring artist Lea Fisher’s self portraits opens this Saturday at Samuel Lynne Galleries. (Samuel Lynne Galleries)

While April was officially Arts Month in Dallas, the creative energy shows no signs of slowing down. This weekend, the city’s vibrant art scene offers two standout events: the opening of Lea Fisher’s introspective new exhibit, Unblocked Reflections, at the Samuel Lynne Gallery, and The Other Art Fair, showcasing original works from more than 120 local and visiting artists.

Whether you’re in the mood for an intimate gallery opening or a lively showcase of diverse talent, both Dallas art experiences offer a different but equally exciting way to give your walls a fresh narrative.

Unblocked Reflections: An Exploration of Creative Liberation

Saturday, May 17, 6 to 8 p.m.

This show captures Lea’s essence — bold, authentic, and unapologetically expressive. Featuring the artist’s signature 3D oil technique and Diamond Dust, the exhibition explores themes of self-awareness, transformation, and emotional depth.

More than just a title, Unblocked celebrates psychological freedom and the transformative power of breaking through emotional and creative barriers. Lea, a trained psychotherapist, credits her return to practice as a source of inspiration: “So much of the work I’ve been doing with my painting is a parallel to my journey of doing therapy again.”

Left: Self-Portrait Joi de Vivre, right: Self-Portrait Silent Reaction. (Samuel Lynn Galleries)

Featured works include Lea’s evocative Self-Portrait Series — a deep dive into the Reflectionist artist’s personal growth. “As women, we live under an umbrella, always questioning our self-worth and lovability. I definitely know what I want, what direction I’m going, and what I can have in the future.

“This show unblocks all those self-limiting beliefs.”

Left: The Dragon that Painted the Wind, right: The Vase of Untold Stories.

Other selections are from Lea’s Angel and Joie de Vivre Series. The common thread: a lighter, brighter, more joyful energy. “It’s a direct reflection of my head space. When you’re in a good place, it frees up mental energy to do creative work.”

The Other Art Fair, presented by Saatchi Art

Thursday, May 15 – Sunday, May 18

Show promoters tout this fair as the “definitive place to meet, discover, and collect work from cutting-edge local and independent artists before anyplace else.” We call it an ideal opportunity to score original paintings at surprisingly affordable price points.

The Other Art Fair offers show-goers original art at affordable prices. (The Other Art Fair)

“When the art world as you knew it went one way, we went the other. Where elitism is the norm, we dared to deviate,” according to The Other Art Fair website.

“Art isn’t confined to convention or rule, and how you enjoy it shouldn’t be either.”

A native Dallasite, Kendall’s collection depicts life in the city.

We caught up with local abstract artist Kendall Papathanasiou Bardin, a first-time exhibitor. By day, she’s a human resource specialist for a private equity firm, but nights have been devoted to creating a collection of mixed media and oil on canvas pieces depicting life in Dallas.

Guided by feeling rather than form, her process is expressive and instinctual — each piece captures a moment of internal movement, memory, or mood. “It’s everything from bright poppy pastels to literal pieces of glass. I’ve been in Dallas my whole life. Like the name of the show, Something for Everyone, the inspiration comes from a lot of different places.”