Dallas is final global stop for Mandela: The Official Exhibition before its return to South Africa

 

Just in time for the State Fair of Texas, millions of visitors will have an opportunity to experience Mandela: The Official Exhibition running through Nov. 1, 2026, at the African American Museum, Dallas, in historic Fair Park.

NOTE: During the State Fair (Sept. 25–Oct. 18), Fair admission is required to enter Fair Park. Otherwise, the museum, exhibition and parking are free and open to the public.

The celebrated exhibition chronicles Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary journey from political prisoner to president – and his enduring message of courage, reconciliation and service – which continues to resonate across generations and continents.

Spanning all four of the Museum’s upper-level galleries, the exhibition unfolds through multisensory storytelling, tracing Mandela’s life from his rural Eastern Cape childhood through anti-apartheid resistance and 27 years in prison to his historic presidency as South Africa’s first democratically elected leader. Along the way, visitors can follow the defining chapters of Mandela’s story and encounter the people, places and pivotal experiences that shaped one of the 20th century’s most influential figures.

The exhibition was funded locally in a unique manner. 

Inspired by Mandela’s spirit of service, resilience, justice and courage, a host committee of 12 Dallas-area professionals – dubbed The Mandela 12 – together raised $426,500 to help bring Mandela: The Official Exhibition to Dallas.

The Mandela 12
Photo Credit: Lawrence Jenkins

Chaired by Karl Biggers, with Dorian Goodwin serving as vice chairman, the group currently serves as civic ambassadors for the exhibition, using its collective influence and community connections to build awareness, cultivate partnerships and broaden the exhibition’s reach. Representing business, the arts, education and civic leadership, The Mandela 12 has helped ensure that families, students and visitors can experience Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy of courage, resilience, justice and reconciliation.

The exhibition also serves as a learning resource for students and educators, with curriculum materials, group visits and docent-led tours designed to explore Mandela’s life alongside themes of justice, leadership, resistance and reconciliation.

For more information, go to aamdallas.org

State Fair Saddle Up!

 

September 10

The Rustic – Dallas

6:00 P.M.

Saddle Up is a bold night of Texas hospitality where leaders, donors, and champions of the State Fair of Texas come together to BACK THE BRAND and move the mission forward.

Guests enjoy an evening of celebration featuring live and silent auctions, midway-style games, special activations, and plenty of Texas hospitality, all surrounded by a community that believes in the future of the Fair and the students it supports.

Every bid and every table help fuel the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs, which has awarded more than $21.4 million in college scholarships to over 3,850 students across Texas.

Click here to learn more about Saddle Up sponsorship and ticket opportunities. 

Virtual Dallas Puzzles

Does being at home have you missing some of your favorite Dallas neighborhoods and attractions? Explore the beauty of Dallas through these new virtual puzzles from Visit Dallas!

https://www.visitdallas.com/things-to-do/dallas-now/2020/03/dallas-puzzles.html

Home School Curriculum with Big Tex

With education at the core of its foundation, the State Fair of Texas aims to provide quality educational opportunities for students within the community, both locally and statewide. In support of its student ticketing program, the Fair is expanding its educational initiatives to the classroom with a new innovative TEKS-aligned curriculum, created in partnership with Big Thought. The online curriculum combines the unique culture of the Fair with Texas history and agriculture, incorporating it into a TEKS-aligned program that focuses on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects for grades 4 through 12.

Download curriculum resources here: 

https://bigtex.com/supporting-texans/education/

Texas Discovery Gardens Launches Lone Star Nature Art Competition

Artists of all ages and skill-set are encouraged to enter Texas related art in categories including: painting, sculpture, wood carving, photography, printmaking and drawing. Anyone with a passion for art and nature can enter.

Judges, chosen by Texas Discovery Gardens, include experts from Collectors Covey and Discovery Gallery Curator Brenda McKinney, who will select winners and runners-up in each category.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place entries will receive a cash prize. One $1,000 Grand Prize will be awarded to the Best of Show out of all the categories. Entry fee is $25.

Participants can submit entries through August 15, 2018. Winners will be announced on or before August 31^st, 2018. The winning submissions will be displayed at Texas Discovery Gardens throughout the State Fair of Texas September 28^th through October 21^st.

For more information including entry, submission, exhibition, etc., visit https://txdg.org/lone-star-art/.

Save the Date! National Girl Scout Centennial Exhibition

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas to Honor Women Leaders at

Girl Scouts 100^th Anniversary Experience Exhibition Preview & Dinner Under the Stars

Peggy Sewell, Sally Hoglund and Matrice Ellis-Kirk to be recognized at preview event for “The 100th Girl Scout Experience”

DALLAS – July 12, 2012–To shine a light on the first century of Girl Scouting and celebrate our female leaders, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (GSNETX), will honor three Centennial Women of Distinction, Peggy Sewell, Sally Hoglund and Matrice Ellis-Kirk on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at the Girl Scouts 100^th Anniversary Experience Exhibition Preview & Dinner Under the Stars, the weekend before the State Fair of Texas opens to the public. Gala attendees will preview the National Girl Scout Centennial Exhibition, an exhibit created and produced by Dallas-based Corporate Magic for the State Fair of Texas to highlight everything Girl Scouts across the U.S. have accomplished in its first 100 years.

Presented by 100^th Anniversary sponsor AT&T, the exhibit will feature a virtual Girl Scout Troop and campfire, replica of Girl Scouts’ founder Juliette Gordon Low’s home as it was in 1912 in Savannah, GA, mobile app scavenger hunt, life-sized cookie boxes – large enough to walk through – highlighting the importance of Girl Scout cookies, and much more. The National Girl Scout Centennial Exhibition will take place in the Texas Hall of State and run for the duration of the State Fair, Sept. 28 to Oct. 21, 2012.

“Strong female leaders like Peggy, Matrice and Sally are so valuable to our girls ensuring there are role models for them to look up to as they succeed in their personal endeavors,” saidColleen Walker, CEO of Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas. “These ladies are the perfect mix of female leadership to help us unveil and showcase the exhibit. And, our three honorees all demonstrate the qualities and leadership skills Girl Scouting has been developing in young girls over the last century. The gala will be a night to remember.”

All Girl Scouts 100^th Anniversary Experience Exhibition Preview & Dinner Under the Stars honorees have made a tremendous impact on the Dallas community.

·         Peggy Sewell has extensively volunteered and served in leadership roles for many years with organizations including the Baylor Health Care Foundation, North Dallas Shared Ministries, American Film Institute, Dallas Museum of Art, Junior League of Dallas, Susan G. Komen, SMU Meadows School of the Arts, The Hockaday School and. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

·         Sally Hoglund is best known for her volunteer work in Dallas and Houston and establishing The Hoglund Foundation with her husband Forrest. Hoglund has volunteered and served in leadership roles for organizations including the Alzheimer's Association, Dallas Heritage Village, Texas Children's Hospital, American Cancer Society, Family Place Partners, Arthritis Foundation of North Texas, Easter Seal Society, Chiapas Project and Muscular Dystrophy Association.

·         Matrice Ellis-Kirk serves as managing partner of diversity services for Heidrick& Struggles. Additionally, she serves on the board for  the North Texas Tollway Authority, UT Southwestern Medical Foundation, The Dallas Center for the Performing Arts Foundation, Inc., and the University of Pennsylvania Board of Visitors.

The GSNETX 100^th Anniversary Chair is Cathy Coughlin, AT&T’s senior executive vice president and global marketing officer, and the Dinner Chair is Lynn McBee.

For more information about purchasing a table at the preview event, please contact Lindsay Cleland at lcleland@gsnetx.org or 972.349.2438 or visit www.statefairgirlscouts.com.

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas: 

Girl Scouts is the premier leadership organization and is the largest pipeline for female leadership. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas serves nearly 35,000 girls and 17,000 adults in 32 northeast Texas counties. For information on how to join, volunteer or donate to the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas call (800) 442-2260 or visit www.gsnetx.org.

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State Fair Pre-Party Benefiting the American Heart Association

It is that time of your for everyone in Dallas: The State Fair of Texas! 3FOUR1 is celebrating their one year anniversary while raising awareness for the American Heart Association (AHA). Stop by their loft before entering the fair for $3.00 admissions. They will be providing catered food by At Your Service Catering, free Dr. Pepper, DJ Lil Rick spinning tunes, giveaways and a silent auction. All the proceeds will directly go to AHA.

WHAT: 3FOUR1 Presents State Fair Pre-Party Benefiting the American Heart Association.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tickets are free, CLICK HERE to get yours.

WHERE: The 3FOUR1 Loft (located directly across from the State Fair) 3809 Parry Avenue #105, Dallas, Texas 75226. CLICK HERE for map.

RSVP: Your ticket is your reservation.

Taste of the Fair

Come join the State Fair celebration

with live music from Jackie Don Loe.

Bring cash to enjoy yummy food as the opening day parade
marches down Main Street! Parade starts at 12:00 noon.

*CORN DOGS*COTTON CANDY*FUNNEL CAKES*ICE CREAM*