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Art On Think: Vicki Meek; LBJ at Dallas Theater Center

ArtandSeek.net 17

Think is getting artsy this week. A few programming notes:

Earlier today, it was LBJ and acting on Think.  The Dallas Theater Center’s “All The Way” looks at Lyndon Baines Johnson’s early days in the Oval Office and follows the 36th president through his hard-fought re-election. Krys Body talked to Kevin Moriarty, who directed the play and heads the Theater Center, and Brandon Potter, who plays LBJ. Great discussion and if you missed it, don’t worry. You can listen to the podcast.

Tomorrow, Vicki Meek will be Krys Boyd’s guest at 1 p.m.

 

Meek recently retired after 30 years leading the South Dallas Cultural Center. She’s also an artist, with a new installation,“Paradise/Hell,” opening at Mountain View College this weekend. It’s the first of a string of events marking Meek’s departure, culminating Sunday with a tribute at City Performance Hall.

Over the years, Meek has advocated for racial and cultural equity, the Fair Park neighborhood, for art funding, for jazz and so much more. She’s mentored, taught and inspired countless kids – many of them now artists, writers, musicians themselves. “The Dallas Morning News” noted her contributions in an editorial headlined “City owes so much to SDCC’s Vicki Meek.”

Meek’s retirement sent us back into the KERA vaults, where we found this segment of a 1984 documentary, “With All My Art And Soul.” Yes, it’s a blast from the past. But it also shows how amazingly consistent Meek has been over the years – if you just met her last week, she’d probably mention several of the same things she discusses here: the importance of giving back to the community; her passion for jazz; her lifelong connection to art and her love of family.

While she may no longer be on the city payroll, I’m sure Meek, with her artwork and her clear voice, will continue working for Dallas for years to come.