New Arts Incubator Opens in Dallas: Spazio Morandi

Local art enthusiasts welcome the return of gallerist Wanda Dye with the launch of Spazio Morandi, a new venture located on Haskell Avenue in Dallas. Dye previously established the Cedars neighborhood as an artistic hub with her RE Gallery in the early 2010s, showcasing emerging regional and national talent.

Dye departed Dallas for Alabama to be closer to family, leaving a notable gap in the local scene. She now partners with her friend and colleague, Italian interior architect Stefania Morandi, to fill that void with an adventurous new concept.

The Partnership and Vision

Wanda Dye first connected with Stefania Morandi while Morandi was designing interiors for the Trinity Groves development. Following Dye’s return to Texas, the two began collaborating on design projects for Studio Morandi.

This collaboration evolved into the idea of creating an arts incubator designed to address elements they felt were missing in the current art landscape. Morandi, who also maintains a design practice, emphasized the goal of fostering dialogue.

“The idea was to have a sort of salon where we could have conversations about art and design. We wanted something a little more experimental that we really couldn’t do in my office,” Morandi stated. She describes the space as a hybrid: “It’s part gallery, part design gallery, and part cultural living room.”

A Flexible Approach to Art Sales and Curation

Studio Morandi is conceptualized as a salon rather than a strictly traditional gallery. The venue plans to host various exhibits and cultural events while maintaining an accessible price point for art.

The pricing strategy aims to keep works affordable, ranging from screen-printed t-shirts priced at $99 up to canvases expected to sell for approximately $8,000. Dye expressed a preference for nurturing careers over selling high-priced pieces.

“I like to show somebody and help them grow, as opposed to selling a $30,000 painting,” Dye explained. She added that nurturing both artists and collectors is inherent to their approach: “It’s the academic in us to want to nurture and help both artists and collectors grow. We want to keep it really open — it’s a playful, flexible and fluid space.”

Opening Details and Upcoming Schedule

The grand opening is scheduled for April 4, featuring the abstract and quirky paintings of artist Brad Tucker. The initial exhibition featuring Tucker’s work will remain on display until May 1.

The schedule is already booked well into the fall season. Upcoming shows are planned for artists including Gary Farrelly, Erika Huddleston, Kelly Kroener, and Pedro Velez.

The public opening reception will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the gallery’s location: 203 B South Haskell Ave., Dallas. Standard exhibition hours will be Wednesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.