This year’s Art Ball, held this past Saturday, marks the 50th occurrence of the event, which started as the Beaux Arts Ball in 1962. Each Ball usually has a theme, with invitations to match. Below are a few of my favorites from the 1960s and 70s, when the Museum was located in Fair Park.
The first Beaux Arts Ball, held on April 27, 1962
Tlaloc’s Frolic, held on April 27, 1968
A Mad Hatter’s Hoedown, held on May 1, 1971
A Celebration of the Dragon, held on April 7, 1973
A Deco Dance, held on April 26, 1975
The Last Hurrah, held on May 21, 1983. This was the last Ball held in the Museum’s Fair Park building before moving to the new building in Downtown Dallas.
These and a few other favorites are currently on view in the Mayer Library, located on the DMA’s M2 level and included in free general admission.
Hillary Bober is the Archivist at the Dallas Museum of Art.
