Jay Barker

Don't worry, it was just a fashion statement.

Last week we introduced our 2013 Masterminds, local artists to whom we awarded $1,000 each for their work making Dallas a stranger, more interesting place to live. And on Saturday night, we honored them at our annual Artopia culture jam, featuring art, fashion, food, music, and some seriously shiny low-riders, part of the Dallas Contemporary's new exhibition.

See also:
- Dallas Observer Masterminds 2013: Meet the Winners of Our Annual Art Awards
- The People of Dallas Observer Artopia 2013, Part One
- The People of Dallas Observer Artopia 2013, Part Two

It was as eclectic as a crowd as you'll find in this town, and everyone was quite lovely. Thanks to everyone who came. To everyone who didn't: You'll get'em next year. In the meantime, see what you missed in our slideshow, "The People of Dallas Observer Artopia 2013."

Late last year, as most of the city's creators went into holiday hibernation, the Observer's culture editor, Jamie Laughlin, assembled a team of fellow cultural obsessives and went to work, looking for this year's Masterminds.

See also: The Dallas Observer 2011 MasterMinds Awards

It's the third straight year we've done this -- identified a group of cutting-edge art producers, thanked them for making Dallas a weirder and more wonderful place, and lavished them with our love and some no-strings-attached cash. Last year, that meant $2,000 gifts to three visionaries: photographer Frank Lopez, dancer Katie Toohil and the folks behind La Reunion, a budding artists colony.

This year: Who knew? Jamie and the folks listed below tiptoed toward the ocean of nominations. Then they dove right in.

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Speaking of montages...

The fine editors and shooters of YouPlusDallas (shot by Mark Blitch and Matthew Rojas) have posted their super-high-def recap of our Artopia party at the Dallas Contemporary. Very cool, guys. Very cool. I highly recommend jumping over to their site for the humongo-high-res version...alas, our strained servers (damn you, delicious winter cocktails!) are bursting from the weight of four million photos.

Danny Fulgencio

Check out more in the slide show: The People of Artopia

First let me say: it was a pleasure cracking nuts with you at the Dallas Contemporary.

Lots and lots going on last night to talk about--from the installation pieces (curated by Brian Gibb of the Public Trust) to the fashion show--but the night certainly kept-on with the bright rock-pop of the Burning Hotels. From there, we crowned our MasterMinds winners--an absolutely moving speech from dancer Katie Toohil, by the way-- watched Mr. Bonetangles perform skeleton dance numbers, and spun to the DJs of Lights All Night.

Our roaming photographers Danny Fulgencio and Roderick Pullum have brought back a whole heck-load of great photos that we're still combing through, and we'll have a special treat from the DJ Spin Off for you tomorrow on DC9 at Night, but in the meantime head to our slide show section for more coverage from the night. Much more to come!

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All photos by Sara Kerens

The MasterMinds winners: Frank Lopez, La Reunion (Sarah Jane Semrad), and Katie Toohil

It's on the stands and on-the-webs now: the finalists of our second annual art awards (the MasterMinds).

That's right, we've named 'em, and it's all a big ol' countdown to our fancy pants Artopia party on Saturday at the Dallas Contemporary. If you're not going to that, shame on you. Shame. Anyway, in Brentney Hamilton's cover story on the MasterMinds--they are Frank Lopez, La Reunion, and Katie Toohil--she breaks down why these candidates are moving and shaking things up in the art scene in Dallas. Read the whole sucker right here.

Meanwhile, check out the excellent photo trappings of one Sara Kerens--whose masterful camera captured the MasterMinds in their native habitats.

View them in the wild below!

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Winnowing down Dallas' growing, dynamic community of artists to three MasterMinds involved some tough choices. The process was like lining up at a vast buffet prepared by an outstanding chef: too many wonderful selections and too little room on our plates. On the way to naming the winners, our judges narrowed down the original list of 45 entrants to 10 tasty finalists.

Each day until the three MasterMinds winners are announced via our next issue Thursday, we're featuring those finalists (in no particular order) right here on the Mixmaster. Check out Monday's and yesterday's if you missed them, and you'll find today's after the jump.

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Winnowing down Dallas' growing, dynamic community of artists to three MasterMinds involved some tough choices. The process was like lining up at a vast buffet prepared by an outstanding chef: too many wonderful selections and too little room on our plates. On the way to naming the winners, our judges narrowed down the original list of 45 entrants to 10 tasty finalists.

Each day until the three MasterMinds winners are announced via our next issue Thursday, we're featuring those finalists (in no particular order) right here on the Mixmaster. Check out yesterday's if you missed them, and you'll find today's after the jump.

More »

Winnowing down Dallas' growing, dynamic community of artists to three MasterMinds involved some tough choices. The process was like lining up at a vast buffet prepared by an outstanding chef: too many wonderful selections and too little room on our plates. On the way to naming the winners, our judges narrowed down the original list of 45 entrants to 10 tasty finalists.

Each day until the three MasterMinds winners are announced via our next issue Thursday, we're featuring those finalists (in no particular order) right here on the Mixmaster. Today, we're kicking off with four after the jump.

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Hey, you. Yes, you. We know you know a MasterMind. Have you nominated them yet?

We need you to tell us about innovative, cultural landscape-paving Dallas-based artists -- those in dance, theater, performance art, visual arts and more. Why? Well, we want to recognize them (in print and at our upcoming Artopia event) ... and give them cash dollars to help further what they do.

So here's what we're asking. Share this, repost it, tweet the pants off of it. Nominate your friends, colleagues, yourself. (Just click here.) And help inspire all those people (and others) to do the same.

If there's a MasterMind-worthy artist inspiring you, tell us -- and shout it loud.

It's now. It's live. It's happening.

We want the innovators, the community climate changers, the artists who see, make, and do like no one else.

And, well, since you artistic types are already in the spirit of entering things, we figured you wouldn't mind our online registration form and the chance to win $2000 for being truly inspiring. All the rules and details are right there on the form -- we're looking for Dallas artists who work in visual, performance (no music -- we leave that to the DOMAs, naturally), mixed-media and more. Like the class acts who won last year: Matthew Posey, Joel Hester and Karen Blessen.

You (or they, if you're nominating another person -- which is totally allowed and even encouraged) don't have to have contributed a lifetime of work or be popular -- just a MasterMind.