For her Valentine’s Day gift, I signed T up for a floral design workshop at Bows & Arrows. As I mentioned earlier, it is a small shop on lower Greenville displaying art, handmade items and flowers. It’s just a nice breath of fresh air. Anyway, the class was Thursday and she had a great time. It was just her, two other people and Alicia and Adam. She definitely recommends it. Alicia will be teaching a few more classes starting this summer after their new baby is born and I will update you when I learn of them.

As you can see, T did a fantastic job. She tried to focus on bright warm colors – reds, oranges and yellows and used many different species. There are a few in there I’ve never seen before.

She also made two boutonnieres. One for a summer event, the other for a winter formal. I like them both.

Yesterday T & I made a fantastic discovery of a little art+floral shop on lower Greenville – just what we’ve been looking for. It’s called ‘bows & arrows’ and is right across from Lula B’s Antiques. You should definitely check it out if you’re in town. The owners and newly relocated couple, Alicia and Adam Rico come from Brooklyn and have really done a great job setting up shop.

The space is long and narrow, with simple gray walls and wood floors making way for the creative displays all about. It has a very modern, home-made, edgy feel to it. In addition to the etsy-style items and flower arrangements on sale, the wall space is utilized for work of a local artist.

Here’s a link to their website and blog.

As for the photos, please excuse the quality. I gave them a boost in photoshop but there’s only so much the iPhone’s camera can handle.

justin terveen, photographer

I don’t believe I have yet expressed my sheer excitement with the fact that the grand opening for the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts is but two weeks away. This marks a great accomplishment of the arts and Dallas both. Through the donations of many wealthy elites and others this master plan is nearly complete.

Most notably are the two new major additions: The Winspear Opera House designed by Foster+Partners (Spencer de Gray) and the Wyly Theater designed by REX/OMA (Joshua Prince-Ramus/Rem Koolhaas). Both feature radical theater design strategies. Just Google either venue and you will find a plethora of information and images.

norman foster

rem koolhaas

joshua prince-ramus

justin terveen, photographer

Even more thrilling, each of the three major designers is coming to Dallas during that grand opening week to give free lectures to the public on their work. Pinch me, please. I have secured my tickets and am anxiously awaiting the forum.

Here is a full showing of what the Dallas Arts District will be by 2011. And there is more to come. It is truly a great time to be here. This is the first opportunity I have ever had to witness the opening of such great architectural works and will soon have the opportunity to experience them myself.

01. Margaret & Bill Winspear Opera House, Foster+Partners / 02. Annette Strauss Square, Foster+Partners / 03. Elaine D. and Charles A. Sammons Park, Michel Desvigne / 04. Dee & Charles Wyly Theatre REX/OMA / 05. City Performance Hall, SOM / 06. Morton H. Myerson Symphony Center, I.M.Pei / 07. Cathederal Guadelupe / 08. Belo Mansion / 09. Crow Collection of Asian Art / 10. Dallas Museum of Art / 11. Nasher Sculpture Center / 12. Museum Tower (future), Johnson Fain / 13. Woodall Rogers Park / 14. Booker T. Washington School for the Performing Arts / 15. St. Paul United Methodist Church / 16. Fellowship Church / 17. One Arts Plaza / 18. Dallas Black Dance Theater