Samples had worked as a photographer for 9 years, living everyday in an effort to experience others and their stories through the art of photography. For a long time Hal was given assistance by one man, an unknown who saw something in him, and with that hope fueled Hal’s career for many years until the benefactor’s death. On his deathbed, Hal filmed him at the VA hospital when he gave Hal a final piece of advice, “Stay focused.” To Hal, that only meant one thing, the gift he had was not his and it had to be shared. “I had to pay it forward, to all that had helped me.”

I have to be honest, until a few weeks ago, I had never heard of Hal Samples. He explained to me his work in Dallas. A working photographer for 9 years, his camera equipment was first to go when he was in monetary need. He ran a space, the Hal Samples Gallery which was a place for creatives, artists and community. By that, Hal explains that in one week’s time it was common to find a myriad of people, groups in his space, anything from a yoga class, an art show, kids art classes, free beer and pizza, political rallies, photo shoots, a church, a wedding, meditation classes, a retreat for college students and missionary groups. “Photography just paid the bills.” During this time he gave back to the rest of the Dallas, donating to other art galleries, buying their art when in need, donating money, and helping launch the careers of others, artists and musicians.

Without getting into too much detail, Hal underwent a surgery in response to a painful hernia and is currently suffering from a failed mesh patch. What happened? Well, some of the known side effects of the surgery are patch shriveling, buckled mesh, curled up edges, crumpled, wrinkled, rolled up or folded. That last one? That’s what happened to Hal, his sciatic nerve, penile nerve and femoral artery which all rested on this mesh, had become tangled together. The mesh was removed, but the pain continued. This began his health journey with accredited doctors and physicians following a slew of holistic remedies and treatments. The hope? A surgery-free recovery. He says he has 18 weeks left of treatment and by then his body should be in a better place to take on other treatments. Other goals? To share his story and promote a surgery free recovery for others.

I guess it comes as no surprise that my hope is that several of you come to the Hal Samples Benefit tomorrow night, August 10, 2012. I didn’t know the guy 24 hours ago, had I passed him on the street, I would think he was “just some dude,” but based on his track record, I’ll be giving a little to save a life. It’s time for us, as a community to pay it forward to the man that has done so much for so long without urge or instruction. It’s time to give back.

The following are the details for the event: August 10th, 2012 6pm – 2am at Club Dada (2720 Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75226)

Various local artists will have works on display for a silent auction. There will be music, there will be fun, and as Hal hopes, “everyone will have a great time.” All proceeds will benefit Mr. Samples.

http://www.facebook.com/events/223269094463183/

This past Saturday was the day we had all been waiting for and working towards, Drew Merritt’s opening reception. Never before have I been so proud to represent W.A.A.S. Gallery in one of the busiest events I have ever worked. I say worked because well…we worked. Needless to say, our blood, sweat and tears went into planning this opening reception. Well…mostly sweat, we are in Texas after all.

The preparation for the show was normal, one would say. Hire a caterer, a bartender, and a fire dancer. Wait, what? You read that right. Leave it to the ingenious Brandy Michele Adams to personally know a hoola-hooping fire dancer by the stage name Sarah Spirals who performed flawlessly while Merritt tagged one of our exterior gallery walls. At this point in our planning we’re far from Kansas and Toto is braving the heat of a Texas night. Then, drinks were a must. I just turned 21 abroad, no big celebration or rite of passage there, but here? Off to show my ID for the first time when buying a keg. Go big or go home right? The players then began to assemble, one by one the night of the show. Music by Chaquis. Food by some hardcore caterers from the Glut Life, (who later admitted to my own mother…”We’ve never done this artsy thing. We like it.”). Snow cones in a plethora of flavors, mango was a personal favorite. And before you know it W.A.A.S. was living was Technicolor and invaded by our little munchkins. (We don’t think any of our patrons are munchkins, but it went with the theme.)

The show went off without a hitch. Though some people decided to come early and struck a serious panic in us as I jumped into my shoes and zipped up my skirt in a hurry. Those same people were here for one reason, to see the marvelous work of Drew Merritt. As I manned the sales table and spoke with our many guests, several were surprised to know that Drew was just a few steps away, outside, chatting with anyone that wanted to ask the artist a lingering question or welcome him to our own little Oz. I have to say, nothing makes you feel cooler than walking a friend over to this guy, surrounded by people and introducing them to “the artist.” Drew was no Wizard of Oz that night; he entertained his guests with a smile, no façade to be shown, just a simple hat and a clean pair of pants. His paint box and cell at his side, he did what he does best, paint. Yes, there were millions of pictures taken of socialites, some kids that tried to get more than their fair share out of the open bar, and a not so embarrassing personal dance party in front of a canvas, but we achieved what we set out to do in more ways than one.

Though we have already gotten wind a negative review (the cyber earrings did come off in some serious damage control and artist self defense), for the most part Facebook is flooded with positive reception and we’re happy to have been the platform for Drew’s exhibition. All I can say is, we’re open and running until August 31st. Follow the yellow brick road.

Growing up you see drills all the time. On TV, when dad’s working on a project, and in my case, at W.A.A.S. Gallery. Installation means more than hanging things  and calling it a day. It also doesn’t mean just hiring someone to hang things and call it a day. No days are called, people. Yesterday, we began installation of Drew Merritt’s work. I say “we” because when the time came around, I found myself holding a drill and looking up at Brandy on a ladder. Yes, we were under male supervision. In fact, the amazing Taylor Jennings was our fearless leader, toting a toolbox with enough miniature pieces inside, it rivaled my bead collection from 1st grade.

Things got done, but not easily. How many gallery owners roll up their sleeves, climb up a ladder and hammer a nail into a wall, shattering so many norms and social standards of the white-walled contemporary gallery? Not many. Seeing Brandy (owner of W.A.A.S.) take the time to get her hands dirty and connect with the artist she represents was eye opening. As someone who reads just a fraction of the 200+ emails Brandy gets a day, she did not have the time to do half of the things she did yesterday. But she  made time to do the install work with Taylor and Drew herself, perfected it to W.A.A.S. standards and continued work on her next project. 

At the end of the day, we broke more than a sweat. But that’s nothing some plaster and a paint over can’t repair. 

Things don’t get much better than working with Drew Merritt. Today, in my latest and greatest interactions with the artist, he casually slipped on a pair of sunglasses and showed off a makeshift blowtorch using the tools of his trade, a can of spray paint and a lighter. It may come as no surprise that Merritt is cool. Like most working artist of our day and age, he’s not brooding or an art school cliche, he’s working. To most of the world, a working person is a sane person. But are artists sane?

Here at the gallery we’ve joked that Drew has moved into W.A.A.S. But he kind of has. He’s got the key. He’s working in the gallery, filling it with the smell of fresh paint and enthusiasm for his upcoming opening, this Saturday August 4th. The gallery floor is strewn with paint brushes, paper plates and an iHome that temporarily played “Tipsy” by J-Kwon (…really Drew? ). Point being, Drew is, to this day, getting work done. He’s making fresh art for his opening at W.A.A.S., and that’s what I find so refreshing. 

Is our idea of what an artist is so contoured that we don’t recognize the chill, hard-working qualities of a person whose profession just so happens to be artist? Merritt is an honest to goodness down to earth guy. He entertained a conversation with me about the life and death of a pair of jeans. (I don’t know if you’ve ever seen an artist, but paint does not wash out of denim.) Denim…riveting? In a way, yes, was. Drew is devoting himself to his work in the gallery, our gallery, but also taking the time to be himself, be the human that we have forgotten most artists can be. I don’t know many people that can work on their first ever video installation and still know all the words to the latest Drake album. Even better, I don’t know many people that will take the time to explain to an intern why exactly he has not one pair of clean pants.

I’ll take a second to introduce myself. My name is Erin Piñon and I’m the summer intern here at W.A.A.S. Gallery. I’m a rising senior at Tufts University studying Art History and Latin American Studies, with a strong interest in contemporary art. So I find myself here, thrilled at the prospect of “studying” art and artists that live and breathe beyond the confines of an overpriced textbook or wiki page.

Until now, my excitement for the upcoming show has been limited to 140 characters and Facebook updates at an appropriate length. If for some reason you haven’t heard (you might be living under a rock or just awoke from a coma), Drew Merritt will be showing his work at W.A.A.S. Gallery August 4th through August 31st. So far, my relationship with Drew (first name basis!) has been comprised of posting his work on every social media outlet I can, writing his press release, searching through emails and the like. Without hesitation I could tell you his hometown, his current muse, a fair description of what his voice sounds like on the phone, and probably his clothing size based on the amount of Drew-searching that goes on in this office.

To say the least, this past Friday, when I finally met the infamous underground/graffiti artist, I was floored. Not only was I excited to meet the artist I had been talking about for two weeks straight, I was about to see his work, work which in my mind was a series of files in a folder. For those of you who have heard of the opening, I have one piece of advice for you: it really doesn’t matter how large of a viewing platform you use to experience the work of Drew Merritt, it will not compare to 8ft canvases towering above you.

As an Art History student I often see the work that I study in person by visiting museums. There is an instantaneous realization that the art which I have studied and what I have read in books is real, it’s hung right in front of me, insured for millions of dollars, and very accessible to the public. The feeling I had upon first seeing Merritt’s work was quite different, though not in a negative way. Before joining the gallery, I had not heard of Merritt, and probably would not have for a while. Merritt’s work as a graffiti artist means his work is refreshingly accessible and public, just like the pieces hanging in a museum, the difference is that the production process is somewhat clandestine and there is no provenance. Drew is from New Mexico, where he has a studio, but also works in Los Angeles, two places I do not frequent, another limiting factor in my knowledge of him. However, seeing him physically remove his work from a trailer, unwrap it, and speak to him, made this experience real. It made him real. I had read his bio, I had written about him, but none of that compared to sharing the heat of a 104° Texas afternoon and getting to know the man behind the work.

I’m relieved to have finally met Drew Merritt. He’s no longer an imaginary being that we correspond with and promote. He’s a real person. His art is real, and it’s here. 

My show “Dreams & Delusions” premieres with a reception at the Upstairs Gallery  (1038 West Abram, Arlington, TX 76013) in north Arlington this Saturday, April 28th, from 5-8pm. I’m currently 18 years old and this will be my first exhibition, so I’m welcoming everyone to come and see my pieces and enjoy the reception. The show is divided into two parts–the dreams, which are all pastel-coloured photographs, and the delusions, which are very dark grayscale photos. Both feature the beautiful model Daniela Sevilla, and are what I call hand-altered, meaning that they have been embellished with patterned scratchings, buttons, crate paper, yarn, watercolours, coffee, wine, etc. Please come out and support me if you have the time to spare!

For more information please direct yourself to the event page

Lindsay Gray
WAAS Staff Writer/Blogger

Joshua King’s opening night for his show at the WAAS Gallery, titled “Goods and Services,” was welcomed with a tremendous turnout of Dallas art-lovers. From his two photography pieces to his many installations, each room was entered with a new degree of awe and amazement. From the many great animal moulds creatively displayed to intricately cut paper, this exhibit is unlike anything previously shown at the gallery, and the artwork is sure to sell quickly.

Pieces shown included small animal moulds, such as bears and deer, running up, down, and across a room, a burned wooden sign reading “MAKE” and a beautiful video of the burning to accompany it, a grid of identical fans filling a large room, mould casings of baby faces covering a floor, and even a giant room made to make it feel as if you are in a cloud.

Joshua King brings a sense of beauty into the simplicity of everyday objects, such as screws, knives, and telephones. He works with the idea of color as emphasis, bringing often-pale tints to otherwise-white pieces. Josh has not only exhibited at a large variety of showings across Texas, but he has also organized a number of art shows and events in the past few years. With a fresh take on minimalism, Joshua King is a fine addition to WAAS.

Daniela Sevilla entering the cloud-like installation