Construction on the plaza and visual enhancements at Toyota Music Factory, 316 W. Las Colinas Blvd., in Irving are now largely complete. Among the visual enhancements recently made to the 500,000 square foot facility is the creation of “Artist Alley” in the walkway between the restaurants Thirsty Lion and Bar Louie on the northeast corner of the venue.

Working in partnership with the Smithsonian Affiliate Irving Arts Center, the space has been transformed into a gallery. Featuring the works of local artists, as curated by Irving Arts Center, it now serves both as a scenic thoroughfare for pedestrians, as well a place one can sit and admire art, thanks to the installation of bench seating. 

Improvements to the multipurpose entertainment venue began in early 2024, and also include a remodel of the central plaza, stage and surrounding storefronts, as well as increased signage for vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

“We are extremely excited for the opportunity to highlight the works of several local artists in Irving whose works are currently or have recently been exhibited at Irving Arts Center,” says Marcie Inman, Irving Arts Center’s Curator and Director of Exhibitions & Educational Programs. “To provide greater exposure to them beyond the walls of our five galleries, while transforming such a highly visible space in the heart of one of Irving’s great entertainment-based developments is truly a win for everyone.  We look forward to continuing this partnership and highlighting many more artists in the months and years to come in this space.”

In total, four works of art are featured in Artist Alley, with plans to rotate in new works of art in the coming months.  They are “The Irving Centennial Mural” (Franscisco Mendoza & Irving Students/Summer Interns), Baby Longhorn (Richard Ray), A Rainy Day’s Reflection (Alexis York), and a piece from Jon Fontenot’s Pathways and Influences exhibition.    

CURRENTLY ON VIEW IN ARTIST ALLEY

Francisco Mendoza & Summer Art interns
Irving Centennial Mural (detail), 2003 – 2004
Venetian glass tile mosaic, 10 x 66 ft.
Irving Arts Center Sculpture Garden

A section of Irving’s Centennial Mural, which depicts historic images from Irving’s history in commemoration of Irving’s Centennial (2003), is among the four images displayed in Artist Alley.  It was created by muralist and artist Francisco Mendoza with the help of 40 Irving students.  The mural is made of Venetian glass tile and spans 66 feet in length, along the south wall of Irving Arts Center’s Sculpture Garden.  

Richard Ray (Dallas, TX)
Baby Longhorn, 2024
Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 24 in.
“The Art of Marty & Richard Ray,”  Irving Arts Center  
© 2024 by Richard Ray. All rights reserved.

A fifth generation Texan who resides in Dallas near White Rock Lake, Richard Ray’s paintings are inspired by nature, memories, imagination and his pride for his home state.  The latter is especially true of his painting, “Baby Longhorn,” in which he depicts a longhorn calf grazing under a starry Texas sky.  The piece is featured in the exhibition, “The Art of Marty & Richard Ray” an exhibition in collaboration with his wife, ceramic artist Marty Ray.  It is on view through January 25 at Irving Arts Center.  

Alexis York (Irving, TX)
A Rainy Day’s Reflection, 2024
Colored pencil on paper, 24 x 18 in.
“24^th Annual Art Connection Members Show,”
Irving Arts Center (1^st Place Winner – Youth Category)
© 2024 by Alexis York. All rights reserved.   

Taking first place in the youth category (17 years old and younger) of Irving Arts Center’s 24^th Annual Art Connection Members Show, Alexis York’s “A Rainy Day’s Reflection” is a remarkable work by a young, aspiring artist who calls Irving home. While the reflection in the puddle conveys a rainy scene, it is clear that York has a bright future ahead.

Jonathan Fontenot (Dallas, TX)
May 29, 2023, 2023
Watercolor, colored pencil & paint pen on paper,
29.5 x 40.75 in.
“Pathways & Influences: Paintings by Jon Fontenot,”
 Irving Arts Center
© 2023 by Jonathan Fontenot. All rights reserved.

A local artist who teaches at Irving High School, Jon Fontenot’s latest work focuses on landscapes and fields of color. Working from photographs which help to capture color, texture and mood, Fontenot accepts the challenge of capturing and transforming an experience. Note the patterns of numbers that are featured in his piece entitled “May 29, 2023.”  They suggest a higher ideal, the notion of connectivity: spirituality, mindfulness and our hierarchical relationship to each other. Fontenot balances our analytical nature against that of the natural world, bringing to light the pathways of life and decisions we navigate, but don’t often see.

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ABOUT IRVING ARTS CENTER
Located just 10 minutes from DFW Airport, Irving Arts Center is a Smithsonian Affiliate institution; a home for the performing and visual arts, under the umbrella of the City of Irving’s Department of Arts & Culture.  Its two theaters showcase world-class performances, corporate presentations and cultural celebrations, while five galleries host 25+ exhibitions annually. James Surls’ Star Flower anchors a two-acre sculpture garden, helping Irving Arts Center to earn D Magazine’s accolade of “Best in the Burbs.”  Year-round family programs include story times, performances and Second Sunday Fundays. Open Tues-Saturday from noon to 5 pm, art is always free to view and so is parking.  To learn more, visit IrvingArtsCenter.com.