Craighead Green Gallery has changed hands. As William Bardin steps into his new role as director and owner of the gallery, he brings a fresh vision that honors the gallery’s storied past while steering it towards a vibrant future. Having served as assistant director for nearly four years, under owners and founders Kenneth Craighead and Steve Green, Bardin is no stranger to the inner workings of the gallery, which has been a significant player on the Dallas art scene since its inception in 1992.
Under the original guidance of Craighead and Green, the gallery earned acclaim for its innovative exhibitions and robust support of contemporary artists, and especially granting emerging artists a seat at the table through their highly popular New Texas Talent exhibition drawing collectors and galleries across the state seeking new visual artists. The gallery’s original move to Dragon Street from Maple Avenue preceded a flurry of galleries eager to define the Design District as not just an area for design showrooms. Holly Johnson preceded their opening on Dragon.
Now, with Bardin at the helm, there’s an air of anticipation about how his leadership will shape the gallery’s next chapter. Bardin’s roots in Eastern Germany inform his approach to curation and his ambitious plans for the gallery. He expressed a desire to introduce the Dallas art scene to underrepresented European movements, particularly those from Leipzig and Berlin. “There are many regional European movements that we here in the Dallas Art scene have not yet tapped into,” Bardin noted, pointing to the rich, yet untapped veins of artistic innovation that flourish beyond the mainstream specifically in his old stomping grounds.
The recent relocation of the gallery to a newly renovated space on Parkhouse Street in the Dallas Design District provides a physical demonstration to Bardin’s vision. The layout of the new gallery, with its multiple pockets of space, allows for the creation of thematic sections that can operate concurrently. This design lends itself to a nuanced and layered exploration of contemporary art themes, accommodating a broader range of artistic expressions and installations.
Bardin is particularly enthusiastic about the potential for international growth, a plan that includes both fostering collaborations with international artists and participating in globally recognized art fairs. This strategy aims to extend Craighead Green’s influence and accessibility, bringing a slice of the global art scene to Dallas while showcasing local talent on an international stage.
Continuing a long-standing tradition, Bardin is also committed to nurturing new talent through the gallery’s annual juried New Texas Talent exhibition, now in its 32nd year. This exhibition has historically been a launching pad for emerging artists, many of whom have gone on to become part of the gallery’s roster. “We discovered many of our represented artists through this exhibition,” said Bardin. He encourages emerging artists to engage with the gallery, offering them not just a platform for exposure but also critical feedback and developmental support, stating, “I want to invite every emerging artist to send us their portfolio for review. We will be happy to critique it, give suggestions for improvement,” demonstrating his dedication to developing the next generation of artists.
With Bardin’s leadership, Craighead Green Gallery is poised to blend the local with the global, the established with the emerging, creating a dynamic forum for contemporary art that continues to evolve and inspire. His commitment to both the artists and the art-loving community promises a future where tradition and innovation coalesce, ensuring the gallery remains a cornerstone of the Dallas art scene.