Texas Art & Pour: Creating a space for art and connection
- Charity Fitch
- Aug 23, 2023
- 4 min read
Sean and Dani Cagle of Waxahachie have always loved art and community.
Growing up with artists in their families, they were both exposed to art and creativity at a young age. At each city they visit, the Cagles visit art galleries and often purchase art as mementos to hang in their home. Sean is an artist himself, has been an art teacher for many years and serves as the director of fine arts for Waxahachie ISD.
The Cagles want their home to be a home of creativity.
“We’ve always been involved and around art,” Dani said. “We have artists in our family, so we’ve just always liked being around artists and creative people. We tried to always have a creative place in our home that would be full of art and that people would be welcome – all different kinds of people.”
For years, they have welcomed people into their home to enjoy a potluck together and to discuss ideas about both art and life. With their youngest child about to graduate high school and the season of an empty nest fast approaching, the Cagles wondered if they could create a public space that embodies art and community similar to what they’ve been doing in their own home.
The idea of Texas Art & Pour, a gallery full of works by Texas artists where people could fellowship and enjoy Texas-made food, beer and wine, was born.
In April 2022, they officially created the business and began looking for a place to lease and learning from other small business owners.
While they were attending a show in Fort Worth, they met an elderly couple who had just closed their art gallery in Fort Worth, which they had owned for 42 years. Dani said the couple has been an incredible resource to the Cagles as they learn the ins and outs of owning an art gallery and a business.
In October 2022, they signed the lease for a space in downtown Waxahachie and began reaching out to artists, working on the building, going through the necessary steps with the city and applying for their Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission license. Texas Art & Pour officially opened its doors in mid-February.
“I like art because I feel like it brings up a different way of seeing things,” Dani said. “I love different people’s vision of the way they want to express who they are or what their message is. For these (pieces), it’s like someone pouring something out, and if you knew the artists, you would be able to see pieces of them in everything.”
As she has interacted with the artists and picked up their pieces, Dani has seen firsthand how much the artist is reflected in their piece of art. For example, one artist creates pieces depicting only shapes that are very similar to the shapes tattooed on that artist’s body, Dani said.
“She has a whole story behind what they mean and … I love the fact that people are willing to be vulnerable and express themselves in a way that is open for critique,” Dani said. “The appreciation of art is allowing people to have a voice in whatever that looks like and a place to share that.”
Through his years as an art educator, Sean said he has seen a desire to create in everyone.
“Art is an expression of the individual in ways that often can’t be put into words,” he said. “By creating and experiencing art, we see into ourselves, each other and the larger world around us. These perspectives help us build relationships, which make the world a better place. I love making art, I love watching other people make art, I love talking to people about art – the process, the history, everything. Art is (the) vehicle that allows people to express themselves – their likes and dislikes, their successes and mistakes.
“But all of that is personal, and even if we don’t agree on what looks good or tastes good, that’s OK,” he said. “We can still enjoy the interaction and learn more about each other over a piece of art, a beer, some cheese or glass of wine.”
That is the goal of Texas Art & Pour and why the Cagles created it – so people can connect not only with a piece of art but with one another as they enjoy Texas-made art, beer, wine or food.
Throughout the building, one will find art in a wide variety of mediums from oils and pastels to watercolors to print on metal. There are wood paintings and sculptures, jewelry, ceramics and more. Each piece is available for purchase, with Dani stating they try to have different pieces available in every price range.
There are four taps that will feature rotating beers from across Texas. Dani said one tap will always feature a beer from Ellis County. Currently on tap, they have Peticolas Brewing Company located in Dallas, Barrow Brewing Company from Salado, and Railport Brewing Company located in Waxahachie.
They have a variety of wine available from Fall Creek Vineyards located in Austin, Llano Estacado Winery located in Lubbock, Duchman Family Winery located in Driftwood, and more.
Their hope is to offer beer and wine that people can’t find anywhere else, Dani said.
There is also a selection of snack items available for purchase including deviled eggs made by Dani, cheeses from The Mozzarella Company located in Dallas, meats from Texas Iberico, salmon smoked by a woman in Dallas, pickled onions and jalapenos made by Sean, and a creamy herb dip made by Dani.
Everything in Texas Art & Pour is made in Texas by Texans.
“This is the beauty of Texas people – the creative community in Texas and how varied it is,” Dani said. “I am proud to be a Texan, and I think we have a lot to offer.”
“We hope that everyone will come to Texas Art & Pour and look around, try something new, ask some questions and strike up a conversation,” Sean said. “We are so thankful to be in our hometown on the square downtown surrounded by the things made by some of the most creative and interesting people in Texas, (and) we are excited to share these with you.”
Texas Art & Pour is located at 109 W. Franklin St. and is open from noon-7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and from 1-6 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, visit https://www.txartandpour.com or follow @txartandpour on Facebook and Instagram.
Comments