Living Local: Preservation is the Art of the City

Historic Fort Worth, Inc. invites the community to experience the 23rd Annual Preservation Is the Art of the City, a three-day art show and sale featuring exceptional artwork by talented Fort Worth-area artists. The event will be held Thu-Sat, Sep 3-5, at the Amon Carter Center at Lena Pope (3200 Sanguinet St, Fort Worth, 817-255-2500).

For 23 years, Preservation Is the Art of the City has celebrated the remarkable talent of local artists while raising critical funds to support Historic Fort Worth’s preservation programs. Every artwork purchased helps ensure that Fort Worth’s historic places and stories continue to be protected for future generations. More than an art show, Preservation Is the Art of the City is Historic Fort Worth’s premier annual fundraiser. Proceeds from the event support Historic Fort Worth’s mission to preserve Fort Worth’s distinct historic identity through stewardship, education, and leadership.

The exhibition showcases original artwork in a variety of media from many of the area’s most accomplished artists, several of whom have work represented in galleries and private collections throughout Fort Worth and beyond. Guests will have the opportunity to meet local artists, purchase original artwork, and support the creative community while helping preserve the historic places that define Fort Worth.

Historic Fort Worth is honored to welcome María Elena Ortiz as Guest Juror for Preservation Is the Art of the City. With her extensive curatorial experience, scholarship, and deep knowledge of contemporary art, Ortiz brings a distinguished perspective to this year’s exhibition. Ortiz is a curator at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, where she has served since 2022. Her curatorial research focuses on African diaspora and Latin American and Latinx art histories, and her exhibitions have been presented at leading institutions, including the Andy Warhol Museum, El Museo del Barrio, and the DePaul Art Museum.

The honorary chairman is Dr. Asad Dean, a beloved physician and a graduate of Fort Worth Country Day, UTA, and UT Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Dean, an oncologist, fell in love with art history when he took a course at Fort Worth Country Day. He credits art history for opening the door to his appreciation of both art and fashion.

Thomas Helmick is this year’s featured artist. His artwork inspired the event’s promotional design and serves as the visual backdrop for this year’s exhibition. He has lived and created art in Fort Worth for numerous years and has been represented by the Edmond Craige Gallery in Fort Worth, the Monet Gallery in Arlington, and Kornye Gallery in Dallas.

The work Helmick is showing this weekend is part of a continued study of landscape.

“In a landscape,” he said, “as in all nature, there is a certain indomitable power and mystical beauty. It is these rare places untouched by the desensitizing encroachment of all of us that I am drawn to, that excite, and at the same time provide solace.”

Since his early years as an artist, it has been Helmick’s desire to capture this essence of natural landscape in abstract form.

The three-day event opens with Party with the Artists on Thursday, an evening celebration featuring the presentation of artist awards, the opportunity to meet participating artists, and the first opportunity to purchase artwork before the exhibition opens to the public. Then, the exhibition continues 10am-4pm Friday and noon-9pm Saturday. Admission to the art show on Friday and Saturday is free. Reservations are required for the Party with the Artists. To purchase reservations, visit bit.ly/2026PAC_Tickets.

Families are also invited to participate in City Build, a free hands-on children’s architecture program 2pm-5pm Saturday. Young builders will use boxes, paper, crayons, glue, and other creative materials to design buildings that become part of a collaborative cardboard city complete with roads and the Trinity River. The program encourages creativity while introducing children to architecture, design, and the importance of community spaces.

This event is made possible through the generous support of community partners who share Historic Fort Worth’s commitment to celebrating local creativity and preserving Fort Worth’s historic identity. Central Market, the event’s Gallery sponsor, along with Bennett Partners, FirstBank Southwest, Public Market, and Mary Alice Denmon Smith, provide vital support that helps make this annual celebration of art and preservation possible.

For more promotional information, party reservations, sponsorship opportunities, or to learn more about Historic Fort Worth, visit HistoricFortWorth.org or call 817-336-2344, ext. 107.