Request and Recoil examines the complication of intimacy through a queer lens. This collection of work responds to the shame engrained in the queer experience created by the labeling of one's identity as unnatural or perverse. The work expresses queer sexuality and desire as being innate and complex, stemming from a yearning for connection that everyone shares. The show is examining a constant need to prove one's own intention as pure. Through works of mainly painting, photography, and small scale sculpture, Request and Recoil aims to illustrate the constant tug of war between desire and shame.

Opening November 15 at The Eclectika in the mainstage gallery, 'Intrepid, Still’ curated by Kate Arrows Enoire! Featuring work Magaly Cantu, Kate Arrows Enoire, Narong Tintamusik, Jeremy Bunda, Robynn Armevida, Noah Broomfield, Carla Hughes, Robyn Rozelle, and Kael Alford.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Intrepid, Still explores the congruities woven through the work of each artist, bound by narratives of survival and resilience notwithstanding historical, contemporary, and impending traumas against individuals and cultures, including explorations of survival of inherited social constructs, systemic racism, discrimination, an imminent extinction event, and intergenerational abuse, via evaluations of personal and collective histories, cultural hybridities, environmental speculations, and material transformations.

Each artist navigates the pursuit of survival as the hard-fought afterbirth of trauma: the launch after an immured ending; and challenges the systems that braid together such doomed paths of exploitation and oppression. Their works illuminate architectures of persistence, the shared impulse to mend and begin again, gestures born in the aftermath of rupture. Now more than ever, it is important to unveil and finally realize the common lineages of such wounds.

Survival is an act of creation, a reordering of matter, myth, and memory resisting inherited scripts of subjugation. In witnessing these convergences, the exhibition invites reflection on the invisible genealogies that intersect strategies of survival.

The Eclectika is excited to announce our chemigram workshop with instructor Alex Khraish! Participants are invited to explore the experimental photographic darkroom process - darkroom optional. You will learn the history of chemigrams before being guided on how to make your own. You will be encouraged to embrace the ephemeral chance of chemigrams and leave with one of your own. All materials will be provided. The process is safe, but participants are still encouraged not to drink the photographic chemicals. The workshop will take place Saturday, November 15 and will begin promptly at 1pm and end at 4pm. The workshop fee is $10 or PWYC, payable through our website.

Opening November 1 at The Eclectika, ‘Labyrinths’ curated by Opal! Featuring work by Adrian Aileen, Brian K. Jones, Brian K. Scott, Will DeShazo, Opal, Brandi Lee Porter, John Stillings, and Christopher Tranquino. 

ABOUT THE SHOW: 

Labyrinths is an experimental show featuring a select group of artists who were given the prompt word “labyrinths” to create a piece of artwork inspired by their personal interpretation. 

In the occult and psychological realms, labyrinths are known to represent one’s inner journey towards the subconscious. Opal selected the artists for their aesthetic fitting the surrealist motif. Surrealism is a dreamlike creative path that explores symbolism and archetypes, connecting the artist with their psyche. Revealing aspects of one’s unconscious can lead to healing and transformation of trauma, allowing for transcendence. Through curating this show, I invite everyone to enjoy the freedom of unbound expression.

An opening reception will be held Saturday, November 1 from 6-10pm in conjunction with the opening of ‘A Gallery Most Grim’ with juror Allester Vinteers. The Eclectika is located at 711 N. Britain Rd Irving TX 75061.

Join The Eclectika in a pumpkin carving/ painting gathering. Pumpkins from this event will be on display during the November 1 exhibitions. Pumpkins will be provided or BYOP (bring your own pumpkin). Caution with using sharp objects is a must.

Opening reception for ‘The Eclektibition 2025' with juror Joshua Steven Bryant will be held October 18 from 6-10pm! The Eclektibition is The Eclectika’s first annual juried exhibition that features work by artists residing in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. An open viewing will be held on October 19 from 1-4pm. The Eclectika is located at 711 N. Britain Rd, Irving Tx 75061. 

SELECTED ARTISTS

Aileen Khuu, Ali Hasan Adatia, Allison Wentworth, Amanda Gallo, Amber Escalante, Cait Elizabeth, Cam’ron Goins, Chloe Renee, Court Broussard, Giuseppe Tranchida, Jalen Colton Sanchez, Janette Davalos, Joseph Schuler, Katie Harris, Kaylyn Grace, Khadeeja Lamin, Matthew Solon-Lee Weimer, Nadia Velasquez, Nuran Tever, Serisu, Scout Lee, Talbot Kenney, TBD/TBA, Tommy Stidham, Yasmine Muhammad

ABOUT THE JUROR

Joshua Steven Bryant is an interdisciplinary artist working out of Denton, Texas. They received their M.F.A. from the University of North Texas in 2022 and has been working as a professor since. Joshua’s processes include found object sculptures, installations, and paintings. Pulling from their experience as a queer disabled person, chairs are often used as a stand-in to investigate how individuals and community occupy metaphorical and literal space. Joshua has shown in group and solo exhibitions across Texas at galleries such as the Rockport Center for the Arts, Arts Fort Worth, the MAC, and the Greater Denton Arts Council.

ABOUT THE ECLECTIKA:

The Eclectika is an artist run, artist supported art space located in Irving, Texas. Its mission focuses on providing an accessible space for a diverse variety of shows and events. Initially established in 2015, its second iteration opened in the Fall of 2023 and has since hosted over 30 unique events and exhibitions. The Eclectika was founded by its Gallery Director, artist Derrick Hamm (Anonymous Heir), and is operated by him and a team of volunteers who are Dallas/Fort Worth based artists.

Opening reception for ‘'The Eclektibition 2025' with juror Joshua Steven Bryant will be held October 18 from 6-10pm! The Eclektibition is The Eclectika’s first annual juried exhibition that features work by artists residing in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. An open viewing will be held on October 19 from 1-4pm. The Eclectika is located at 711 N. Britain Rd, Irving Tx 75061. 

SELECTED ARTISTS

Aileen Khuu, Ali Hasan Adatia, Allison Wentworth, Amanda Gallo, Amber Escalante, Cait Elizabeth, Cam’ron Goins, Chloe Renee, Court Broussard, Giuseppe Tranchida, Jalen Colton Sanchez, Janette Davalos, Joseph Schuler, Katie Harris, Kaylyn Grace, Khadeeja Lamin, Matthew Solon-Lee Weimer, Nadia Velasquez, Nuran Tever, Serisu, Scout Lee, Talbot Kenney, TBD/TBA, Tommy Stidham, Yasmine Muhammad

ABOUT THE JUROR

Joshua Steven Bryant is an interdisciplinary artist working out of Denton, Texas. They received their M.F.A. from the University of North Texas in 2022 and has been working as a professor since. Joshua’s processes include found object sculptures, installations, and paintings. Pulling from their experience as a queer disabled person, chairs are often used as a stand-in to investigate how individuals and community occupy metaphorical and literal space. Joshua has shown in group and solo exhibitions across Texas at galleries such as the Rockport Center for the Arts, Arts Fort Worth, the MAC, and the Greater Denton Arts Council.

ABOUT THE ECLECTIKA:

The Eclectika is an artist run, artist supported art space located in Irving, Texas. Its mission focuses on providing an accessible space for a diverse variety of shows and events. Initially established in 2015, its second iteration opened in the Fall of 2023 and has since hosted over 30 unique events and exhibitions. The Eclectika was founded by its Gallery Director, artist Derrick Hamm (Anonymous Heir), and is operated by him and a team of volunteers who are Dallas/Fort Worth based artists.

Paint a ghostly form in this spirit guided, seance minded acrylic painting worship conducted by artist Shannon N.  West.  All ages are welcome. Materials provided. Will likely not experience a demonic possession.

Create the 2-D abomination of your nightmares in a drawing workshop co-conducted by Artist Chris Rahmeh and Gallery Director, Artist, and Mad Scientist Derrick Hamm! All ages are welcome. Materials provided. Warning: The Eclectika is not responsible if your creation becomes sentient and wreaks havoc in your household.

The Eclectika is excited to announce this year's Halloween inspired open call, ‘A Gallery Most Grim’ with juror Allester Vinteers! For this exhibition, we are looking for works that are considered strange, mysterious, metaphysical, dark, macabre. ‘A Gallery Most Grim’ is open to all artists over the age of 18 that reside in the DFW metroplex. Artists are welcome to submit up to 5 works in any medium for the juror's consideration. Submission fee for the show is $10, payable through our website. Deadline to submit is Friday, October 10 at midnight. The opening event will be held Saturday, November 1 from 6-10pm.

Join The Eclectika for a night of terrifying tales from around the world. Bring your own scary story or choose from our selection of classic horror. Light refreshments provided as well as a bookmark making station. Master of Scaremony for the event is Eclectika Gallery Director Derrick Hamm. Note: demon summoning discouraged.

We are excited to announce the lineup of participating artists for 'The Eclectika 2025 Invitational'! This year's show was curated in collaboration with Eclectika Gallery Director Derrick Hamm ( @anon_heir ) and Eclectika Assistants Lauren E. Allen ( @leallen_art ), Breanne Schwarz ( @breannearts ), and Christina Vasquez ( @christina._.vasquez ).

The participating artists are Hadi Asgharpour, Bianca Bisej, Dust Bunny, Lauren Fleniken, Jordan Funk, Anna Galluzzi, Jack Hein, Mikey Hernandez, Assandre Jean-Baptiste (HUEYDYNAMITE), Carla Hughes, Verónica Ibarguengoitia, Alicia Parham, Robyn Rozelle, Breanne Schwarz, Ryan Semegran, and Jason Thing.

The opening reception will be held Saturday, September 20 from 6-10pm. The Eclectika is located at 711 N. Britain Rd Irving TX 75061.

The Eclectika is excited to announce this year's Halloween inspired open call, ‘A Gallery Most Grim’ with juror Allester Vinteers! For this exhibition, we are looking for works that are considered strange, mysterious, metaphysical, dark, macabre. ‘A Gallery Most Grim’ is open to all artists over the age of 18 that reside in the DFW metroplex. Artists are welcome to submit up to 5 works in any medium for the juror's consideration. Submission fee for the show is $10, payable through our website. Deadline to submit is Friday, October 10 at midnight. The opening event will be held Saturday, November 1 from 6-10pm.