The arrival of spring brings with it the opportunity for local artists to display their talents in an art show with a long history in the Lakewood/East Dallas community. The first Lakewood Art Show, organized by librarian Barbara Bender, was held in the fall of 1962 at 6342 La Vista, in what is now known as the Diener Mills Building, which was the original location of the neighborhood branch library when it opened in 1938. The art show became an annual tradition and continued in the branch library’s present location, only missing a few years when the library building on Worth St. underwent renovations in the late 1970s. During that time, the library served the community from the building now occupied by the Ali Baba Grill on the corner of Abrams Road and LaVista. After the renovations were completed, the art show schedule was moved from the fall to the spring. The staging of the event was taken over by the Lakewood Library Friends (LLF) after the organization incorporated in 1984.

This year, intake for the Lakewood Art Show is Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at the Lakewood Branch Library, located at 6121 Worth Street in Dallas. Artists aged 18 years and older are invited to submit up to two entries, with a $5 fee per item for LLF members and $15 for nonmembers. The art should be family-friendly and available for display through May 31. An opening reception will be held for the artists and their guests on Monday, May 6. Art show entry forms are available at the Lakewood Library and here. For more information, email artshow@lakewoodlibraryfriendsdallas.org or call 214-670-1376.