Dallas Arboretum Transforms into an Open-Air Gallery

This spring, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden will transform its 66-acre garden into the largest outdoor gallery of Hunt Slonem’s work ever produced. Hunt Slonem: Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies features 28 installations and more than 100 works of art and debut pieces created for the Dallas Arboretum, all displayed throughout the garden and inside the historic Alex Camp House. 

Monumental sculptures of bunnies, birds, and butterflies are placed throughout the landscape, where mirrored surfaces and bold color respond to shifting light. As visitors move through the garden, each installation reveals a new perspective, turning familiar pathways into moments of discovery. 

Globally recognized neo-expressionist artist Hunt Slonem is known for his distinctive visual language of repetition, vivid color, and iconic animal imagery. His work has been exhibited in more than 80 museum collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Miró Foundation.

The Arboretum will mark the opening of the blockbuster exhibition with the inaugural Grand Garden Gala, chaired by Laurie Sands Harrison, on April 18. The evening will feature a seated dinner, live music, and dancing in the garden. 

New for this exhibition, Twilight Nights featuring Hunt Slonem: Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies, invites guests to experience the work in a different light, as fading daylight reshapes color, reflection, and expression. This exclusive evening experience is offered on select Thursdays and every Friday through Sunday from 6:00–9:00 p.m. as a separate ticketed event. A special public preview takes place April 25, with weekly programming beginning May 1. 

Hunt Slonem: Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies is included with daytime admission and is on display April 20 through September 30, 2026. A garden in bloom. A gallery alive. 

Tickets and additional information are available at dallasarboretum.org.

Runway for Rise - Derby Themed Fashion Show

Purchase tickets here

 

2026 Fashion Notes Luncheon and Style Show

 

Please join Honorary Co-Chairs, William and Anne Seanor, at the 12th anniversary of the Fashion Notes Luncheon and Style Show. 

April 29, 2026

10:30 am to 1:30 pm

Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center

The morning begins with a fashion show and raffle followed by a luncheon. Stunning mother and children fashions will be modeled by members of the DSO Family. 

Co-chairs Meredith, Amy, Anne (honorary chair), and Elizabeth

Proceeds from this event benefit the Dallas Symphony Association's Education and Outreach programs, including Young Strings and Young Musicians, which provide free instruments and free music lessons to children in the Dallas community.

This year’s Fashion Notes Designer Award Recipient is Mackenzie Brittingham. 

Fashion Notes Design Award Recipient: Mackenzie Brittingham

A true Dallasite, born and raised in Highland Park, Mackenzie Brittingham has held a lifelong passion for the arts and fashion. She established her brand in the spring of 2016, bringing couture bridal fashion to future brides with a refined and highly personalized approach.

After more than a decade at Stanley Korshak Bridal, Mackenzie expanded into her own private atelier — an evolution of her brand that allows for a more intimate, design-driven experience. While growing her independent space, she continues to work closely with custom clients at Stanley Korshak, maintaining the longstanding relationships and elevated level of service that have defined her career.

Mackenzie specializes in luxury evening wear, designing custom gowns for mothers of the bride and groom, debutantes, and distinguished socialites. In 2018, she launched her Fur Collection. Her latest endeavor is her collection of exotic handbags. Designed with the same couture mindset, each handbag is meticulously crafted with exceptional materials and attention to detail.

https://www.mackenziebrittingham.com/

https://dallassymphonyleague.com/Fashion-Notes

 

NFNL ManKINDness Breakfast

 

For more than a decade, the Men’s Advocacy Group of New Friends New Life has been engaging men in the fight against sex trafficking in our community. At our 2026 ManKINDness Breakfast, attendees will learn about the business of human trafficking, how North Texas is preparing for the world’s largest sporting event this summer, and the specific role that men can play in becoming a part of the solution.  Panelists will include Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux, along with other civic and corporate leaders. 

https://www.newfriendsnewlife.org/breakfast

NFNL Garden Soiree

This fundraising event, hosted by New Friends New Life Circle of Friends (COF) in partnership with Chefs for Farmers, offers an inspiring opportunity to connect, network, learn, and take meaningful action in the fight against sex trafficking through COF. Guests will sip on fine wines, savor chef-prepared bites, and enjoy live music by Goga. The evening will also feature decadent desserts from local upscale caterers and an exciting silent auction filled with exclusive items and experiences. 

Purchase your Sponsorship and tickets today and invite a friend to join you!

Garden Soiree 2026 — New Friends New Life

The Pitch 2026

 

In hectic, stressful times, we can all benefit from a little positivity. Luckily, in North Texas there are powerful stories of hope, ingenuity and forward progress happening all around us. And on Wednesday, April 29, at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, you’re invited to experience some of the good that’s happening right here in our community. 

 

The Pitch, presented by Goldman Sachs and powered by PNC, is a unique and thrilling event that blends competition with community impact. For the audience and competitors alike, it’s an energizing evening that proves how, together, we can improve lives across our community.

How The Pitch Works 

Five finalists from the Social Innovation Accelerator take the stage to pitch their bold ideas to improve education, income and health right here in North Texas.  

The competition heats up and the tissues come out, as finalists share their moving stories of impact and inspiration. 

Then YOU and the panel of judges help decide who will walk away with hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize funding and the coveted title of Social Innovator of the Year.     

All the while, you enjoy delicious food, fun music, networking and more! 

The Pitch is a night of exhilarating competition, moving stories of impact and unforgettable community spirit. It's just one of the ways United Way of Dallas encourages innovative new solutions to our community’s most pressing challenges—and we want YOU to be part of it. 

https://unitedwaydallas.org/thepitch

2026 Cherish The Children Luncheon

Cherish the Children – Dallas CASA

 

The STUDIO Premiere Party Presented by amazon

You’re invited to an exclusive first look at The STUDIO at our Opening Night Premiere Party celebration, Dwell with Dignity's largest annual fundraiser. Join us on April 9th from 7:00–9:00 PM, with a special VIP & Host Committee Hour from 6:00–7:00 PM, and shop the collection before doors open to the public. Be the first to discover deeply discounted, designer furnishings and décor, all while making a meaningful impact. The STUDIO (formerly Thrift Studio) is more than a shopping event. As Dwell with Dignity’s flagship fundraiser, it provides one-third of the operating revenue that powers our mission. Through thoughtful interior design, we provide the stability, comfort and pride needed to change the course of the lives of the families we serve. Your presence and participation make this work possible. We would be honored to celebrate the evening with you. RSVP here.

The STUDIO Art + Color Party

 

Join Dwell with Dignity and Texas Counter Fitters on Thursday, March 12 to celebrate the 2026 selected artists for The STUDIO (formerly Thrift Studio) and get first access to one-of-a-kind art. Enjoy live music, cocktails, bites, and a silent auction while discovering beautiful works displayed on exotic stone at Texas Counter Fitters’ Stone Campus. A $25 entrance donation is suggested. RSVP here.