Higher education institutions play a crucial role in shaping individuals. Art colleges, in particular, influence the development of talented future stars in the entertainment and creative industries. Today, we’ll take a closer look at the history of the Dallas Art Institute, the first art school in the southern United States. Its story is quite fascinating — read more about it on dallaski.com.
History of the Institute’s Founding
The history of the Dallas Art Institute (DAI) began in 1926. The school was founded by Olin H. Travis and his wife, Kathryn Gail Travis, becoming the very first art college in the American South.
The Dallas Art Institute offered a wide range of courses across various art disciplines. Interestingly, both founders had studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After completing their studies, they returned to Dallas with the goal of developing the city’s art scene and elevating its cultural level.
Initially, the institute was located on the second floor of a downtown Dallas building, but in 1931 it moved to the Civic Federation of Dallas. There, the DAI became part of a vibrant arts hub alongside the Southwest School of Fine Arts and the Klepper Sketch Club.
During the Great Depression, DAI students were allowed to sell their works at the Alice Street Arts Carnival, an event that continued until the outbreak of World War II.
As enrollment grew rapidly, the institute relocated again in 1935 to a building on McKinley Avenue, and three years later, it moved once more — this time to the Wing Building of the Dallas Museum of Art. However, in 1941, the museum’s leadership decided not to renew DAI’s lease, forcing yet another move. Finally, in 1946, the Dallas Art Institute closed its doors permanently.
Educational Programs and Features of the Dallas Art Institute
Throughout its years of operation, the institute offered courses in painting (landscape, still life, portrait), costume design, art history, illustration, printmaking, drawing, ceramics, and stage design, among others.
The teaching staff initially consisted of eight instructors, who educated around 200 students within a few years. After enduring the challenges of the Great Depression, the institute expanded its faculty and curriculum in 1931, adding new subjects such as watercolor, field sketching, ceramics, and theatrical design.
Among the distinguished instructors were founders Olin and Kathryn Travis, as well as Alexandre Hogue, Jerry Bywaters, Allie Tennon, and others. Notable students included Everett Spruce and Charles T. Bowling, who later achieved significant recognition in the art world.
In 1927, the institute launched the Travis Ozark Summer Art School in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. Classes were held in small studios surrounded by vast forest landscapes, providing the perfect environment for landscape artists. The school operated until 1930 and was very popular among painters.
Legacy and Successors
Years later, another art institution appeared in Dallas — the Art Institute of Dallas. It was originally founded in 1964 as the Dallas Fashion Merchandising College. In 1978, it was renamed the Fashion and Art Institute of Dallas, and in 1984, it was acquired by the Education Management Corporation, becoming part of The Art Institutes network under the name The Art Institute of Dallas.
The institute offered programs in fashion design, graphic design, animation, photography, digital film production, culinary arts, and more. In 1988, the school moved to a new campus in North Dallas, at the intersection of Park Lane and Central Expressway, where it remained until its closure on September 30, 2023.
That’s our look back at the history of Dallas’ first art institution. We hope you found this article informative and that you’ve learned a bit more about the cultural heritage of our city.