Sometimes, however, travel isn’t possible. So what do you do when you need to get out of town, even for a few hours, and you’re hungry? Head to Mingus and Beneventi’s Italian Restaurant. Madeworthy friend Jan Underwood shared three delightful summertime dishes that are sure to please everyone.

Lemon Ricotta Ravioli with Scampi-Style Sauce
Photo courtesy of Jan Underwood

Lemon Ricotta Ravioli with Scampi-Style Sauce

Ingredients

For the ravioli dough

2 cups flour (240 grams)

2 eggs

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 to 2 tablespoons cold water

For the ravioli filling

2 cups ricotta

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (approximately the juice of 1 lemon)

For the Sauce

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

¼ cup dry white wine

¼ cup heavy cream

Zest of 1 lemon

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

¼ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

Garnish (optional)

Chopped fresh parsley

Shaved or finely grated parmesan

Directions

For the ravioli dough

Add all the ingredients except the water to the bowl of a stand mixer and mix with a dough hook. Slowly add just enough water to the mixture to form a dough. Continue with the dough hook, kneading for 4 to 6 minutes until smooth. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and allow the dough to rest for 30 to 60 minutes. Cut the ball of dough in half, and with a pasta maker or a rolling pin on a floured surface, roll the dough out into thin, rectangular sheets (#5 or #6 on a pasta maker).

For the ravioli filling

Add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix until smooth. Chill for at least 30 minutes. Just before filling the ravioli, drain any liquid that has formed from the filling.

To form the ravioli

Lay one of the dough strips flat on a lightly floured surface. Mentally divide the strip of dough in half, and add teaspoons of filling to the bottom half of the dough, spacing them approximately 1 ½ to 2 inches apart. Fold the top half of the dough over the teaspoons of filling, and cut around each teaspoon of filling. [Editor’s Note: Jan suggests using a fluted pasta cutter; I simply cut between each ravioli with a knife.] Press the two pieces of pasta together to remove air pockets and to seal the edges. Repeat. You should have 24 to 30 ravioli pieces. Set aside while you make the sauce and bring a pot of salted water to the boil.

For the sauce

Heat the butter and oil in a large sauté pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté just until you can smell it (no more than 30 to 45 seconds). Add the wine and reduce for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, lower the heat, and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Keep warm while you cook the ravioli.

To cook the ravioli and finish the dish

In the pot of boiling salted water, cook the ravioli until they float, about 3 to 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the ravioli directly to the pan of sauce. Simmer over low heat for 2 to 4 minutes to bring the dish together. Plate with the sauce and garnish with the chopped fresh parsley, shaved or finely grated parmesan cheese, and a lemon wedge. Serves 2 to 3 as a main dish.

Boursin, Fig, and Pistachio Dip
Photo courtesy of Jan Underwood

Boursin, Fig, and Pistachio Dip

Ingredients

1 5.2-ounce package Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese

1/3 cup fig preserves

¼ cup shelled and salted pistachios, roughly crushed  and lightly toasted in a dry skillet over medium heat

Hot honey for drizzling

Crackers or crostini for serving

Directions

Place the Boursin on a small serving plate or shallow dish. Gently press and spread the cheese to form an even layer on the dish. [Editor’s Note: Jan suggests allowing the cheese to sit at room temperature for about 15 to 20 minutes for easier spreading.] Spoon the preserves over the top, spreading them to cover the cheese evenly. Sprinkle the crushed pistachios over the preserves. Drizzle the dish with hot honey and serve immediately with the crackers or crostini. Serves 6 to 8 as a starter.

Caprese Salad
Photo courtesy of Jan Underwood

Caprese Salad – Still the Summer’s Best!

Ingredients

2 to 3 ripe Campari tomatoes, sliced and drained on paper towels

6 to 8 leaves of fresh basil

6 to 8 slices of fresh mozzarella or 3 to 4 mozzarella ciliegene, halved

2 to 3 tablespoons balsamic glaze (available in grocery stores or see recipe below)

1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Salt to taste

Freshly cracked pepper to taste

Directions

Arrange the tomato slices on a serving plate in a single layer. Add a basil leaf to each tomato slice. Add a slice or half of mozzarella on top of each leaf of basil. Lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze and serve immediately. Serves 2 to 3.

[Editor’s Note: Jan suggests using squeeze bottles for the extra-virgin and olive oil and for the balsamic glaze for that professional flourish.]

Balsamic Glaze

Ingredients

1 cup balsamic vinegar

½ tablespoon honey, optional

Directions

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the balsamic vinegar and honey (if using) to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the volume is reduced by half. You’ll know it’s done when it coats the back of a spoon and you can draw a line through it with your finger. Remove from the heat and allow to cool before storing in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

The post Find Your Happy Place’s Fresh Family Recipes first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Mackinac Island is magical. There’s so much to see and do, and I love that my children get to grow up experiencing this little slice of heaven.

I’m always giddy when we leave the ferry and walk towards the island’s famous fudge shops, where fudge is made by hand in front of you on large marble slabs. I always want to try every flavor. Thankfully, the fudge shop proprietors let you do just that. These shops make ten thousand pounds of fudge a day during the summer. Every day.

When our editor asked what my happy place was, I had a hard time answering. I thought of my favorite places to vacation around the world. The one thing that each place had in common was a feeling of warmth, deep love, connection, and community. When I pictured each place, I saw my family with me, relaxing away from the cares of the world.

That is when it clicked. I love Mackinac because it pulls me back in time and away from today’s distractions. Without cars, life slows down. It seduces you into putting your phone away. (One year, I tried to capture a video while riding my bike and nearly crashed. I quickly put my phone away and did not pick it back up.)

Imagine a life without constant notifications, where movement is slower, and meals are homemade. That simplicity feels rare.

My family talked for years about buying a home in Michigan. There was something about the island that stayed with us. It drew us back, year after year. The community itself is small, with only a few hundred year-round residents, but the residents are deeply connected to one another.

This connection is one of the reasons the island is so special. You feel it in the smiles of strangers, in the quiet kindness of a passerby, and in the way people acknowledge one another. Mackinac Island is not just beautiful, it is intentional, welcoming, and deeply human.

But back to a typical day on Mackinac Island.

Located near the fudge shops is my favorite cookie shop, the Mackinac Island Cookie Company. They sell traditional favorites like sugar cookies and snickerdoodles, but Michigan cherries are truly second to none, so the cherry chocolate chunk cookie is a must.

This shop is special for more than its cookies. It’s the person behind the cookies who gives it meaning. Kate Conlon lives on the island year-round now. As we talked about Mackinac, I could hear the excitement in her voice. She lit up as she shared how she had spent her summers there growing up and how she had always dreamed of living on the island.

“Everything feels so much more intentional here,” Conlon said. “There’s nothing that compares to Mackinac, and there’s just something living and breathing about this island that, once you feel connected to it, never leaves you.”

It makes perfect sense why someone like Conlon would choose to build a life on Mackinac Island. I understood the pull. I feel it, too.

After a stop at the cookie shop and a few souvenir stores, we usually rent bikes. I rent a bike with a hitch for our four-year-old, and my husband rents a tandem bike for himself and our six-year-old. Then we usually head to our first stop, a school playground right on the water with a beautiful view of the Mackinac Bridge.

The kids play on the monkey bars and chase each other around the playground. We always get pulled into their play, too, all of us smiling and laughing. After a while, the adults need a break, and we sit on a bench facing the water, eating cookies and taking in the boats sailing across Lake Huron.

After a short break, we load up the bikes and headed along the west side of the island. There are other cyclists along the route, but it never feels crowded; friendly faces are always passing by. In the distance, we hear the sound of hooves. A horse-drawn carriage rounds the corner, heading back toward Main Street after dropping off overnight guests.

We pull off the road at a small turnout. Our younger usually falls asleep in his seat in the bike hitch, so we let him rest while our older explores and throws rocks into the water. We take a few pictures with Arch Rock in the distance before starting our hike to see it from above.

The steps are easy to navigate, just numerous. The climb feels long, especially while carrying a sleeping thirty-five-pound toddler, but the view at the top makes every step worthwhile. The arch is tall and striking, and visitors gather in waves to observe and admire. My adventurous six-year-old asks if he can climb the one-hundred-and-forty-six-foot arch. I point out the clearly posted “do not climb” sign and keep a close eye on him as we admire the view.

When the next group arrives, we head back down. The walk down is much easier, and soon we’re back on our bikes, continuing the eight-mile loop around the island.

We make our way back to Main Street, where we stop at Watercolor Cafe. They’re known for their homemade Pop-Tarts, which often sell out early (so get there early), and for their lavender lattes, which are unforgettable.

We sit with our coffee while the kids run freely through Marquette Park. In that moment, we’re not focused on the lovely historic homes or the sailboats serenely drifting across the water. We’re watching our children be children, reveling in their laughter, their freedom, their joy.

I can’t help but think that this is what childhood should be. Connection – not to devices, but to each other and their surroundings.

This is the true gift of Mackinac Island. Beyond the horse-drawn carriages, the quaint houses, the fudge, and the breathtaking views, the island offers visitors a rare gift. It gives you time, presence, and uninterrupted connection with the people you love most.

And that is what makes it my happy place.

The post Where Time Slows and Connection Grows first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Madeworthy: What inspired you to start La Pulga Spirits, and what was the moment you knew this idea had real potential?

Sarah Castillo: Having spent years in the restaurant business, I’ve been fortunate to taste a wide range of tequilas and visit distilleries across Mexico. But many of the larger brands never truly resonated with me. I was searching for something more authentic – a small-batch tequila, crafted with consistency, quality, and all-natural ingredients. That pursuit ultimately led me to cross paths with my partners, Stephen Slaughter and Andrew De La Torre, who shared the same vision to create a portfolio of exceptional Mexican spirits. That moment sparked the beginning of La Pulga.

Photo courtesy of La Pulga Spirits

MW: “La Pulga” is a distinctive name. What does it represent to you, and how does it connect to your brand’s identity?

SC: The name “La Pulga” was inspired by the liveliness and vibrancy of open-air flea markets, found throughout Mexico and here in Texas, where community, culture, and celebration come together. That spirit is exactly what drew us to the name, and it remains at the heart of everything we do. It’s the same sense of connection and shared experience captured in every bottle of our spirits.

MW: How does your heritage or personal background influence the flavors and storytelling behind La Pulga Spirits?

SC: In several meaningful ways. Mexico is part of my family’s heritage, and that’s something I carry with a deep sense of pride. It shapes not only our respect for tradition, but also our commitment to authenticity in every bottle. At the same time, my background in the hospitality industry has had an equally strong influence. Hospitality professionals are the backbone of our communities; they show up every day to create experiences and bring people together, often without much recognition. That perspective is central to how we think about La Pulga, and that’s why we call it “The Spirit We Share.” It reflects our belief that tequila should be inclusive, approachable, and rooted in connection, something that brings people together and can be enjoyed by everyone.

MW: This is our Travel issue. If you were to suggest a place of interest for a Mexican tequila expedition, where would you suggest our readers go and where should they stay?

SC: By law, tequila can only be produced in five states in Mexico, but the heart of it all is Jalisco, home to the vast majority of tequila distilleries and the birthplace of tequila itself. For anyone planning a true tequila expedition, Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, is the perfect starting point. Fortunately, it’s an easy trip from here, with multiple direct flights daily from DFW, and once you arrive, you’re stepping into one of Mexico’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities. Guadalajara offers world-class restaurants, beautiful hotels, historic architecture, and a deep connection to tequila heritage. From there, you can venture out to the Jalisco Highlands, where La Pulga Tequila is produced, or to the region’s lowlands, where the town of Tequila is located. For anyone looking to truly understand tequila, Guadalajara should be at the top of the list.

Photo courtesy of La Pulga Spirits

MW: What has been the most unexpected challenge in building your brand, and how did you navigate it?

SC: One of our challenges has been standing out in an increasingly crowded category. There’s a lot of great tequila, mezcal, and sotol out there, so from day one, we knew we had to clearly communicate what makes La Pulga different, not just in taste, but in identity and purpose. We’ve approached that by making every touchpoint of the brand tell a story. Of course, the liquid itself is exceptional — truly some of the best-tasting spirits I’ve ever experienced — but we’ve also been very intentional about how the brand comes to life visually and emotionally. Our bottles are steeped in Mexican folklore and cultural symbolism, immediately signaling where we come from and what we stand for. We even finish each bottle with a keepsake medallion around the neck, something people often hold onto long after the bottle is gone. That level of detail turns the packaging into more than just a container; it becomes a storytelling tool. By staying authentic and consistent in how we present ourselves, we’ve been able to cut through the noise and create a brand that people connect with on a deeper level.

MW: If someone is trying La Pulga Spirits for the first time, what should they start with—and how do you recommend they enjoy it?

SC: It really comes down to personal taste. If you gravitate toward clean, bright, unaged spirits, something perfect for sipping on the rocks or mixing into a great margarita, start with our La Pulga Blanco Tequila. If you prefer something a bit more rounded and expressive, La Pulga Reposado offers that balance of agave character with subtle oak influence. And for whiskey drinkers, La Pulga Añejo is a great bridge. It’s rich, smooth, and ideal for sipping neat or even in an elevated Old Fashioned. I’d also encourage people not to overlook our mezcal. It’s a very distinctive expression, less smoky than many expect, with more vegetal notes, like green pepper, that make it incredibly approachable and unique.

MW: The spirits industry has historically been male-dominated—what has your experience been as a female founder, and what changes are you seeing?

SC: While the spirits industry has historically been male-dominated, I’ve never really approached it from that lens or felt like an outsider. From the beginning, we were intentional about building a team that included strong, talented women, and that’s shaped both our culture and how we show up as a brand. What’s exciting is that we’re seeing real momentum across the industry. More women are founding, leading, and influencing spirits brands than ever before, not as a trend, but as a reflection of the talent and perspective they bring to the table. As new brands emerge, the leadership behind them is becoming more diverse, more dynamic, and more representative of the people who actually enjoy these products. There’s still progress to be made, but the shift is happening, and it’s making the industry stronger, more creative, and more inclusive.

Photo courtesy of La Pulga Spirits

MW: Where do you hope to take the brand in the next five years—are there new products, markets, or collaborations on the horizon?

SC: Over the next several years, our goal is to continue building La Pulga into a brand that thrives both at home and well beyond it. Fort Worth, and Texas as a whole, will always be at the heart of who we are, and we’re incredibly proud of that foundation. At the same time, the past couple of years have been focused on expanding beyond Texas, and it’s been exciting to see how the brand resonates in new markets. Looking ahead, we plan to continue that momentum, thoughtfully growing distribution and bringing La Pulga to more consumers across the country. We’re also exploring opportunities to expand the portfolio in ways that stay true to our commitment to quality, authenticity, and storytelling. And yes, collaborations are definitely part of the future. We’re always looking for like-minded partners who share our values and can help us create something unique, so there’s more to come on that front!

MW: The sub-theme of this issue is “Happy Place”. Tell us where your Happy Place is and why.

SC: That one’s easy. My “Happy Place” isn’t tied to a specific location; it’s a moment. It’s wherever I’m gathered with friends and family, sharing a bottle of La Pulga (that’s why we affectionately call it “The Spirit We Share”). That’s what truly defines my Happy Place: being present with the people who matter most, creating memories together, one pour at a time.

The post Made in Fort Worth: La Pulga Spirits first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Starting in the mid-1990s, we’ve been told to find our happy places. It quickly became a pop psychology catchphrase, a way to escape the stresses and strains of life by visualizing and meditating on a place that makes you happy.

When I was little, I had two happy places. The first was my grandparents’ place in East Texas. Affectionately called Heaven Hill (in honor of my Southern grandfather’s favorite bourbon and the fact that the hill the house stood on was the highest point in the county), it was 100 acres of meadow and pine forest located just south of Winnsboro. They built a house big enough to contain their many grandchildren and friends, which was finished in the same year I was born. (No, I’m not going to tell you that it was 1971. That would reveal my age!)

The author and her grandfather at Heaven Hill circa 197mumblemumble

My family and I went to Heaven Hill at least once every month when I was growing up. My father would pick us up from school, one of a series of Suburbans already loaded up and ready to go. We would head out, the radio set to KERA to catch Susan Stamberg, Bob Edwards, Noah Adams, Renée Montagne, and Robert Siegel on All Things Considered. (My sister and I were the most well-informed students in preschool.)

We would stop in either Quitman or Emory at the Dairy Queen for a small cherry Coke and a bag of Fritos before making the final push to Heaven Hill. My father would invite either Rachel or me to “drive” up the winding road from the gate to the house.

My favorite memories of Heaven Hill include the tire swing that hung off the limb of a big old pine tree just off the back porch, bouncing on the “riding tree,” a pine that fell over during a storm and continued to grow horizontally, listening to my sister, my mother, and my grandmother (card sharks, the lot of them) playing Spite and Malice in the evenings, and listening to whip-poor-wills and owls as I fell asleep. My aunt and mother sold Heaven Hill in 2014, but I can still see every single inch of that house and hill if I close my eyes.

My other happy place was the camp on the Pecos River where I spent eight magical summers. After enduring the summer of 1980 (the hottest on record in Texas) in the Piney Woods, my parents decided I needed to go to camp in the mountains. After a visit to some family friends’ place in northern New Mexico, we found Brush Ranch Camps.

As the old Bluebird school bus rattled across the wooden bridge spanning the Pecos River on that June day in 1981, I had no idea that my life was about to change for the better. Brush Ranch became my refuge. I became the person I wanted to be, leaving behind the goofy know-it-all that my peers either pitied or bullied, as I rode horses, hiked through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and sang songs around campfires. The days were sunny and warm, and the nights were cool and laden with shooting stars.

The author, the author’s sister, and the author’s mother at camp pick up circa 198somethingorother

And after spending a month in paradise, my family would pick me up from camp, and we would head to Lake City, Colorado, to spend a couple of weeks with my aunt and uncle, stopping in Santa Fe and Taos along the way. The only bad part of that annual summer trip was driving home to the Texas heat.

For this issue of Madeworthy, we asked our contributors to find their happy places, and boy, did they deliver! From Mackinac Island to New Braunfels, from Colorado to Idaho to the Pacific Northwest to Alaska, our contributors are a well-traveled bunch. If you’re looking for ideas for your next adventure, you will find all sorts of inspiration in these pages.

We hope you enjoy this issue, and we hope you get out and travel the world. How knows? You might discover new happy places.

The post Find Your Happy Place first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

For years, our happiest places have been far-flung mountain tops, remote waterfalls at the end of a long trek with camping gear in tow, and tents pitched on the side of a cliff with a view that money can’t buy. Places you can’t get to in a car. Give me a dehydrated meal and a sunset over the Rockies, and you’ll never find someone happier. Sneak some pastries into my pack, and I’ll be your best friend.

Last year, my husband and I changed our travel style. We invested in an off-roader camper van to be our home on wheels. It was the start of a long-awaited dream, a sabbatical from the rigors of owning our own business. After a decade of building MELT Ice Creams and being deeply committed to the people we work with, we prepared our team and went on the road and off the grid for a season of rest. Adventure rest.

We left Fort Worth at the end of June and headed for the mountains.

We had a few agreed-upon destinations but only a very loose itinerary. We didn’t know where we would sleep or how many nights we would be there. Each day, we’d scroll through apps rating national forest campsites or BLM [Bureau of Land Management] land, and we would drive along washed-out roads, hoping the spot we chose was level and safe and with a good view.

Because we didn’t plan each leg of our trip, we could let the magic of the road unfold before us. We promised ourselves that we would always detour for three things: people, pizza, and pastries. And low-intervention wine. (Please note that ice cream is included in the pastry category.)

Every day, we sought out long hikes with our dog, Mills (named after Milford Sound in New Zealand, another adventure destination we love). Every night, we came back to the van – our tiny, mobile safe place. We made our meager dinners and sat outside to stargaze until we drifted off to sleep. In this way, we made our way across the Rockies.

In Colorado, we shared many meals and hikes with friends. We even celebrated the Fourth of July above the fireworks with the publisher of this magazine! People shared hot showers and hot meals with us. We learned pretty quickly that when someone offers you a shower or access to a washer, you never say no. Water is the greatest luxury in van life.

We rock climbed for the first time without a guide and met strangers who encouraged us, gave us tips, and kindly built our confidence. We had dinner with the owner of MELT’s headquarters building as we passed through Aspen; he welcomed our smelly dog and our dusty selves into his home and treated us like family. The next day, we hiked 18 miles to the nation’s highest hot springs.

We met people everywhere we went.

We met them on trails, climbing Fourteeners [mountain peaks with an elevation of at least 14,000 feet], and at the top of summits, sharing pocket tamales while keeping Mills from chasing marmots over the edge. We met other Vizsla owners and let our dogs romp together. I thought that when we left Colorado, we would see fewer people and would settle into the silence of rivers and forests. But everywhere we went, another interesting person seemed to appear.

When we made our way to Idaho, I was stunned by the scenery. The Sawtooth Mountains towering over endless green prairies didn’t feel real.

One day in Idaho, we fueled up on hot coffee and oatmeal, packed our PB&Js, and hiked a 22-mile backpacking loop. We stopped for lunch at an alpine lake and submerged ourselves in the icy water. Mills refused to get into the water but happily rolled in patches of snow. We draped ourselves over sun-warmed boulders to dry off.

On the trail, we met a women’s hiking group who return every year to the same beautiful trail. We ate fried chicken at a tiny restaurant recommended by the New York Times restaurant critic. (The chicken was excellent.) We had the worst pizza of the trip in Stanley, Idaho.

Because we didn’t have an itinerary, we decided to stay a few extra days to explore. We watched sunsets as elk bugled on the ridge above us. We found a hot spring that fed into a river, surrounded by wildflowers, and we had it all to ourselves. At night, the stars stretched across the Sawtooths in a display that made shivers run up my spine.

I had no expectations for Idaho, and it was stunning.

In the tiny Washington town of Mazama, we found pastries that shocked me with their flavors. We stopped at a trailhead in the North Cascades to stretch our legs on a short hike to a crystal-clear lake, when I heard a familiar voice. Thousands of miles from Fort Worth, and yet here was our neighbor, standing at the same alpine lake surrounded by forests with no cell service. We laughed, took photos, exchanged travel stories, and walked back to our separate vehicles, shaking our heads in disbelief.

We made our way to Bellingham on the northern edge of Puget Sound and fell in love with the town. There were endless trails and fresh seafood. We took a sunset sail with Mount Baker standing behind us and the Canadian Cascades stretching out before us. We were freezing as the sun slowly melted into the sea, but our hearts were so full from the beauty around us and the people we kept meeting. The boat captain told us about the marine creatures he’s seen, his day trips to Canada to ski, and stories of nearby islands.

Bellingham became one of my favorite places to run on the trip – flowy trails, green everywhere, and the salty breeze of Puget Sound to keep me cool. The owners of a wine bar treated us like we were locals and told us where to find the best pastries in town. We ate local oysters, sipped crisp rosé, and devoured fresh bread with butter by the bay.

From Bellingham, we went to Orcas Island in the San Juans. We took the ferry, our van’s first ocean voyage.

Arriving on a weekend, we found a shaded campsite by a small lake surrounded by tall, old-growth trees. Sitting on the campsite’s table was a vase filled with freshly picked pink and orange flowers – a quiet kindness from the camper before us. Far from the known, surrounded by nature, that small gesture gave me pause. Kindness can show up in the most unexpected ways. It was lovely to receive such a gift.

We decided to go on a whale-watching tour, one of the few paid excursions on the trip. I packed little cans of Negronis, crackers, and cheese. We stood shoulder to shoulder with other tourists, all waiting and watching.

And then we saw them.

A pod of orcas, their black-and-white bodies cutting through the water just off the ship’s bow. We took turns with the binoculars, listening to the whoosh of their breath through their blowholes. For that moment, everything was still except for those magnificent creatures. On the way back, we saw sea lions and sea otters playing in the waves.

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On Orcas Island, we paddleboarded in cold lakes, Mills wearing a life jacket that matched mine. We hiked to the highest point on the island and ate seafood in a shack on the edge of the Sound. We played Phase Ten with other visitors while the dog slept in the sun, soaking up the island’s magic. On our last night on Orcas, we shared a table at dinner with two women celebrating family and friendship. We ate pizza and shared our wine.

One of the women was a widow from Bainbridge Island. She told us about her late husband – his life as a lawyer in Seattle, the impact he made on his community, and the cancer that ended his life too soon. She spoke of her daughter, an actress on a show that I’ve seen, her grandchildren, and their beautiful, bright blue eyes.

Her eyes sparkled, and she smiled as she spoke, and I was moved by the way she described her husband and the life they built together. How he didn’t allow age to define who he was or what he could do. She commended us for taking time to travel and just be.

I know so many details about her life. Yet, I don’t remember her name. But I remember her overwhelming love for her family.

Orcas Island is a special place; it’s almost sacred. It feels like it exists in a different time. It also requires some planning, as lodging and dining reservations fill up quickly, but somehow, life is slower here.

From Orcas Island, we went to visit old friends outside of Seattle. We hadn’t seen them in years, and again, we were met with generosity and kindness. I had never met their children, but it felt natural to scoop up one of their daughters, holding her on my hip as she told me to smell the flowers in the garden and explained how bees pollinate them. With the right people, time cannot change your connection.

Of all the places we visited, the Pacific Northwest captured our hearts.

We slowly worked our way down the Pacific coast on the way to California, stopping in redwood forests and walking for hours along empty shorelines. In Big Sur, we stayed at the cliffside property of a new friend. She welcomed us into her home and made the most delicious meal. I still think about the compound butter she made with flowers pressed into the edges.

She served cider from her harvest of apples and pears. Delicious! She invited us to help with the grape harvest at her small vineyard, and we eagerly agreed.

A wine harvest in Big Sur with no machines. We cut the grapes from the vines. We sorted and de-stemmed them by hand. We pressed the grapes with our feet. I was completely enamored with the process. We were surrounded by incredible people – farmers and cooks from a nearby retreat center who prepare organic meals three times a day for guests. We felt like the luckiest people on earth. Until our dog chased one of the vineyard cats, and we had to apologize profusely.

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The farmers gifted us day passes to the retreat center, where we sat in hot springs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Then we steered our van back down Highway 1, weaving our way to the Central Coast of California.

We met up with some friends for happy hour on the beach to watch the sunset. They invited us into their home, let us use their outdoor surf shower, and made space for us in their lives.

We have a circle of friends on the Central Coast because Fort Worth friends have introduced us to this special place and these special people. We parked the van in their vineyard, surrounded by acres of organic grapes, which in turn are surrounded by palm trees. We fell asleep next to the flower and vegetable garden, listening to owls hooting to each other. The next day, we helped them to bottle our favorite sparkling wine and joined their family for a meal, sipping wine and learning about their winemaking process.

Van life distills everything down to simplicity and necessity. Inside the fan, space is limited, and everything is intentional. Outside, everything expanded – mountains, oceans, skies. Possibilities.

Our adventures were life-giving. They reset us. They gave us the solitude and rest we craved. But for me, the people we met are the center of this story.

The moments that live in my memory now aren’t just the landscapes. It’s the conversations, the shared meals, the unexpected connections I remember. The strangers who became part of our story. These are the memories my mind returns to on hard days.

I remember the sea lions, otters, whales, and eagles. I remember mountain sunrises and ocean sunsets. The twinkling stars, frigid rivers, steaming hot springs, and day-long hikes; these will always stay vivid in my memory. But it’s the people I shared them with that make them matter.

Maybe my happy place was never a place. It wasn’t the mountains or the ocean; it was the people we met along the way, and the small, moving home that carried us to them.

All photos used in this article are courtesy of Kari Crowe Seher and may not be used in any way without permission. 

The post Where Is Your Happy Place? first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Madeworthy: For readers who are discovering Fort52 for the first time, how would you describe your company and the products you create?

Fort52: We create luxury playing cards with 15+ original watercolor images in each deck. We specialize in locations, mostly cities and states, and what makes those places unique and special. You can find our decks in over 130 different stores in 25 different states. We also enjoy working on custom projects for hotels, resorts, brides, and corporations. Our playing cards are created to specifically bring to mind great memories in different cities or trips – we choose the images with that in mind for each deck. Being a small business, we thrive on the flexibility it gives us to use our creative side while also taking the time to pick and choose our next decks as something or somewhere that inspires us. Our decks are made up of bright and beautiful watercolor art, making them so much more than your standard playing card.

photo credit: Jason Kindig

MW: Running a small business together comes with both rewards and challenges. How do your individual strengths complement each other behind the scenes?

F52: Calli is the creative force driving our business forward. She is always coming up with new ideas and new products we could be launching, and she is also the technical piece of our puzzle. Rachel is more the organized piece – dealing with emails, numbers, and keeping things on track. It takes both kinds to run a small business -there’s no way we could do it without each other. When one of us is in the weeds with a project or problem, the other is always right there providing the mile-high view with a way to solve the issue. Being a part of Local Design Studios and learning and collaborating with other women-run businesses is a huge asset for us. The ladies we work with are always willing to help, provide feedback, and brainstorm ideas.

MW: Which product best represents Fort52 right now, and why does it feel especially meaningful to you?

F52: All of our playing cards feel meaningful at the time we create them – we carefully choose the images that are in the decks (it’s a minimum of 15 images and some decks have upwards of 20 because there’s so many landmarks or characteristics that make those locations unique) through research, asking friends and finding the right image to be drawn that would make a great watercolor art piece. The Cowtown Cards will always be special to us, as it was our first deck and gave us the idea to launch a line of playing cards. The Let’s Rodeo deck has been fun recently, being timely for this winter season. Both of our kids have done the Mutton Busting at the FWSSR and love looking at all the different events listed in the deck. We even included a hot-pink pair of cowgirl boots that our girls love.

photo credit: Rebekah Byrne

MW: Your playing cards feel like they are made for gathering. How do you envision people incorporating Fort52 into their homes and routines?

F52: We have both enjoyed incorporating our cards into our regular routines with friends and family! Whether it’s playing Old Maid, Go Fish, or Speed with our kids after school, or a game of Onze or Spades with friends after a dinner party. We have loved hearing from customers on their favorite game night traditions as well. Putting the decks in the clear acrylic boxes makes the cards a tabletop piece as well, so they are easy to grab when you’re looking for something to do. They aren’t just in a drawer somewhere waiting to be used (we hope!) Later this year, we are launching a few more family-friendly games, so be looking for those!

MW: What’s inspiring you lately? Colors, themes, or ideas that we might see in future Shop Fort 52 collections?

Everything bright and colorful! We are thinking outside the box for a few new decks we have in the works – not focusing on cities and landmarks, being more creative and putting a fun spin on the art. Our kids are also getting older (Calli’s oldest is 9), and so they have opinions on what is fun and cool, so we are leaning into that as well – they are always full of ideas! Our latest ideas are still keeping game nights as the main theme of our business, just expanding what games families can be playing.

MW: Before Shop Fort52, did each of you have your own creative path? Tell us about what you did before you started this business.

F52: We both studied Ad/PR at TCU and took a few graphic design classes, which started our love for creating our own designs. We each took corporate roles after college, but were both heavily involved in the invitation process for our weddings. Rachel was extremely particular and came with all kinds of screenshots, and Calli designed her own rehearsal dinner invitations for her dinner at the Fort Worth Zoo. Calli then worked at Paper Affair in Dallas for a year, where she learned the ins and outs of the invitation world – from the initial concept all the way to the printing process. We had talked for a couple of years of dreams of what we truly wanted to do, and at a Christmas in Cowtown committee meeting in 2016, they were talking about any new vendors that we had heard of that should be part of the market – we then looked at each other and thought this is our time! And we launched Wabash Road that fall, doing invitations, gift tags, cups, napkins, and Christmas cards. Since then, we have evolved into just playing cards and changed the name to Fort52 in 2021.

photo credit: Jason Kindig

MW: How do your personal tastes and histories show up in what you create?

F52: We started down the path of creating location-specific decks of cards – as stocking stuffers, thank you gifts, nods to different college towns, a memento for a trip, you name it – they were to encapsulate the memories made in different cities. We then started brainstorming on what other times/ places/ events make the best memories – that’s when we launched the rodeo, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and summer decks. Such great memories and game nights happen in those times, and we wanted to capitalize on that as well. We’ve had Galentine’s Game Nights focused around our Valentine’s Day deck, summer nights full of games with our kids, and lately, with the snow days, we’ve been snuggled up by the fire playing Old Maid and Go Fish.

MW: Fort Worth plays a subtle but steady role in your work. How has living and creating here shaped you as women and as designers?

F52: We are both actually from here, went to high school here, and TCU – so a love for Fort Worth runs deep within us. Calli lived in Dallas for a few years but came back about the time we started our business. A talented mom friend came to us with her drawing of a horned frog for her daughter’s birthday invitation (back when we created invitations), and that got the ball rolling to start the cards. Calli, with her creative mind, thought, “What else could we do with this?” And that’s how the cards were created. So, you could say our love and knowledge of our city is what started us on the path we’re on now. One horned frog drawing has helped launch over 30 different decks of cards.

The post Made in Fort Worth: Fort52 first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

A little history is in order. Until the early part of the 19^th century, artists made their own paints from raw pigments rather than nipping down to the art supply store for a tube of cobalt blue or mosaic gold, which made painting anywhere but a studio difficult. However, after paint in tubes became available, artists were free to paint where they liked, and they really liked painting outside. The Impressionists were especially fond of heading out into a field or to a pond to commune with their muse.

“Plein air [painting] is fun because it gets you outdoors,” Doug Clark said. Clark is a local artist who started a popular plein air group here in North Texas called PAINT, an acronym for “Plein Air in North Texas.”

Doug Clark painting en plein air

Clark, who is both a sculptor and a painter, specializes in wildlife art, something that goes hand in hand with plein air. “I’ve always loved camping and fishing and just being outdoors,” Clark said. “To me, plein air adds to the enjoyment of painting and being outdoors. I’m able to enjoy nature while I’m painting, and I love that.”

Anyone is welcome to join PAINT on their jaunts into nature, regardless of age or artistic ability. The group paints in picturesque locations around the area, such as Benbrook Lake, city parks, and the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge.

“We have members ranging in age from the 40s through the 80s,” Clark said. “Some are retired. Some still work. Some are professional artists, while others just like to paint for themselves. A lot of the artists use oil paints, but some use watercolors or sketch. We even have some who use acrylics outdoors.”

“There really are no rules. We just go out and have a good time.”

Usually, after a painting session, the group will either go somewhere for breakfast or brunch, or Clark will invite them over to his house for what he calls Show and Tell.

“What I find interesting is that when we go out as a group, we’re all looking at basically the same thing,” Clark said. “But at Show and Tell, you’ll have 15 very different paintings with different lighting and moods, even though we all saw the same thing.”

An artist from an early age (“I was always getting in trouble for doodling in class”), Clark went to TCU, where he studied English and history, “so I could go to law school.” After the first week of law school, Clark decided that practicing law was not for him and became a teacher. He first taught third-grade ESL before his principal offered him the position of art teacher. While he taught children about art, he started exploring his own talent.

“My father was a painter,” Clark said. “Not full-time – he was a systems analyst – but he would sell his work. But being an artist was never anything my parents encouraged me to do.”

After the COVID pandemic, Clark had enough of teaching and started creating art full-time.

“Doug is an important person in a lot of lives,” said Trish Wise, a local artist whose work is seen in every issue of Madeworthy in Fresh Family Recipes. “He not only gets us together [for plein air sessions], which always attract plenty of attention, but he invites us back to his home for amazing meals and camaraderie.”

Trish Wise, Madeworthy illustrator and en plein air enthusiast

“A lot of time, you’re not around people as an artist,” Clark said. “You’re working in a studio. Studio work is a solo activity. Plein air is a social activity; you’re not only inspired by nature, you’re inspired by the people around you.”

“Winston Churchill was a painter,” Clark continued. “He said that what he liked most about painting was that when he was painting, painting was the only thing he thought about. Even during World War Two, he would paint to take his mind off the war.”

So, if you’re out and about and see a group of people painting, there’s a good chance it could be PAINT. Go over and say hi. You could even join them.

And be sure to incorporate the phrase “plein air” into your conversations about art.

The post Get Out and PAINT! first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Chef Juan Ramón Cárdenas and his son, Chef Rodrigo Cárdenas, are known for their contemporary approach to Mexican cuisine. They have shared three recipes with us that are sure to entice your family and friends’ palates.

Lamb “Doves”

In Chef Juan Ramón Cárdenas’ hometown of Saltillo, tacos made with flour tortillas are called “palomas” or “doves.” The original recipe calls for cabrito, or kid goat, but Chef Cárdenas suggests substituting lamb for kid goat, as it’s difficult to find kid goat in family-friendly amounts.

Ingredients

For the árbol chile salsa

1 tablespoon oil

8 dried árbol chiles

8 green tomatoes

¼ onion

2 cloves garlic

salt and pepper to taste

For the cabbage salad

½ of a green cabbage, sliced into thin ribbons

½ of a red cabbage, sliced into thin ribbons

1 large tomato, cut into small cubes

¼ cup olive oil

2 to 3 tablespoons lime juice

salt and pepper to taste

For the palomas (doves)

1 ½ cups lamb confit (see recipe below)

6 to 8 flour tortillas

sliced avocado

Directions

For the salsa

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the dried chiles until they turn from red to brown. Remove the chiles from the skillet and place in a blender with the green tomatoes, onion, and garlic cloves until smooth. This will last in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

For the cabbage salad

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

For the palomas

Pour the salsa into a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the lamb confit; stir to combine. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 8 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced and the mixture looks dry.

Heat the flour tortillas and fill with lamb confit in salsa. Place the tacos on a comal or griddle over medium heat, and toast lightly on each side.

Serve the palomas with the cabbage salad and sliced avocados. You are welcome to add your favorite salsa. Serves 4.

Lamb Confit

A confit is a well-seasoned piece of meat cooked slowly in its own fat. As lamb fat is hard to find, substitute lard or beef tallow. [Editor’s Note: Yes,  this sounds rich. It is. However, you don’t use a lot in the recipe, and it freezes beautifully. Additionally, I adapted Chef Juan Ramón Cárdenas’ recipe to make it more family-friendly.]

Ingredients

2.5 to 3 pounds of lamb shoulder chops

1 heaping tablespoon of kosher salt

2 cups lard or beef tallow

2 cups neutral oil, like canola

Directions

Rub the lamb all over with the salt. Place them into a resealable bag and refrigerate overnight.

Place a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the lard or tallow and the oil. Once the lard or tallow has melted and the mixture is shimmering, pat the lamb pieces dry and add them to the oil mixture. Reduce the heat to medium-low to low, depending on your stove, and cook the lamb for 3 to 4 hours, or until the bones slide out of the meat. If you have a meat or frying thermometer, keep the oil between 190° and 199° during cooking.

Remove the lamb from the pot. [Editor’s Note: I placed the lamb on a rack that had been placed on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and allowed the lamb to drain.]

Cut the meat into small pieces or shred it. The confit will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days or can be frozen for use within 6 months.

Ceviche a la Mexicana

Ingredients

6 to 8 ounces firm, white fish (such as snapper, halibut, seabass, grouper, or mahi mahi), cubed

¼ of a yellow onion, thinly sliced

1 jalapeño, seeds and ribs removed, sliced

1 Persian cucumber, diced

1 ripe tomato, seeded and diced

2 tablespoons chile sauce from palomas recipe (optional)

½ cup lime juice

2 teaspoons olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

1 scallion (green onion), sliced

¼ peeled beet, grated (garnish)

¼ peeled carrot, grated (garnish)

Directions

Mix the onion, jalapeño, tomato, and cucumber in a bowl.

In another bowl, combine the lime juice and chile sauce (if using), then add the fish so it can “cook” in the mixture. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and no longer than 4 hours.

Before serving, combine the marinated fish with the vegetables and season with salt and pepper. To serve, place on a plate or in a pasta bowl, then drizzle with olive oil. Garnish with the grated carrot, beet, and scallion. Serve with good-quality tortilla chips. Makes enough for 2 as an appetizer.

Ceviche de Coliflor (Vegan)

Ingredients

1 white cauliflower, cut into small pieces

½ red onion, thinly sliced

1 serrano chile, thinly sliced

½ cup lime juice

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ bunch cilantro leaves, chopped

1 large mango, cubed

1 Persian cucumber, grated and drained

½ peeled carrot, grated

½ cup corn kernels

2 tomatoes, seeded and diced

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Cook the cauliflower for 4 to 5 minutes, or until tender. Drain, place in a large bowl, cover, and refrigerate.

Once the cauliflower is chilled, add the onion, serrano, lime juice, and kosher salt and stir to combine. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or no longer than 4 hours.

Before serving, add the cilantro, mango, cucumber, carrot, corn, and tomato to the bowl with the marinated cauliflower, then toss to combine. Season to taste. Serve with tortillas or as a salad. Makes enough for 8 as a starter or 4 as a salad.

The post Creativity Takes Courage’s Fresh Family Recipes first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Madeworthy: Tell us a little about yourself. (Where you’re from, educational background, art, work prior to Art Tooth, pets, anything you really want to share!)

Shasta Haubrich: I mostly grew up in Cleburne, but we lived in Japan until I was four and I was born in Washington state. Now I have technically lived in Fort Worth longer than I have lived anywhere. I received an Associate’s Degree from TCC and then worked at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth for ten years so I consider that part of my education. I have two adult (barely) children, Aurora and Apollo, a few porch cats and my son has a bearded dragon.

Amira Balmashkan, Shasta Haubrich, Jessica Beatty

MW: Your Patreon says that you create “pop-culture focused art.” Can you tell us a little more about that?

SH: Growing up in the country as an only child, I spent a lot of time watching TV. So I like researching sitcoms and tv shows and movies in various ways. For my most recent project I watched every episode of Golden Girls and tried to catalog every time they say some version of “What are you doing up?” and then I painted those scenes in three large canvases. I am also about to start selling prints of various favorite scenes from tv and movies and hopefully will start selling zines.

MW: Congrats on 10 years of Art Tooth! Can you tell us a little about the idea behind the founding of it?

SH: I started Art Tooth with six other artists from various backgrounds with a mission to create more opportunities for artists in Fort Worth. In many ways it is difficult for artists to show their work if you don’t have a relationship with a gallery. So we decided we would start creating our own art shows. Our first show was at 76102 gallery and then BRIK and we moved on to collaborating in various ways with different businesses and groups including Hotel Dryce, The Pool at Near Southside, FWSSR, Mayfest, and more.

MW: When did it become clear that Art Tooth wasn’t just a collective of artists, that it was evolving into a nonprofit with a real mission?

SH: I think we figured out pretty quickly we could make a difference as a non-profit vs a collective. We had our first gallery show in August of 2016 and we established ourselves as a nonprofit by March of 2017. Our methods have evolved so I try to work with several artists throughout the year. For example, In 2025 we worked with 70 artists and held 19 events. 25 of those artists were people I had never shown before.

MW: For those who are not aware of Art Tooth, what is your mission?

Art Tooth was founded with the intention to create more opportunities for artists in Fort Worth and to build relationships between artists, collectors, and art patrons.

By making contemporary art accessible to an increasingly broad and diverse public, we strive to continue to strengthen Dallas-Fort Worth’s reputation as an arts destination.

MW: A lot of art-based nonprofits are not run by artists. How does being artist-run make a difference in what Art Tooth does?

SH: I think it makes it easier for us because I can anticipate what makes it hard for some artists to get their work out there in the world and try to eliminate those barriers, because I have the same issues trying to show my art. I also think it’s easier for me to talk to artists directly and get their feedback on what they need.

MW: I’m not sure if Art Tooth could exist anywhere else. How does Fort Worth contribute to Art Tooth’s mission?

SH: I think there are several people who have helped us make it to ten years because people see us as a needed entity in Fort Worth. I feel like we are known for having access to several artists and we have the ability to reach out to artists easily.

MW: Conversely, how does Art Tooth contribute to Fort Worth’s role as a leading center for contemporary artists – especially new and mid-level artists?

SH: I don’t think we are reinventing the wheel by partnering with businesses to show art but I think/ hope we are trusted partners to artists and businesses and help eliminate some of the stress for artists trying to show their work for the first time or to a new audience.

MW: Art Tooth is committed to supporting artists from underrepresented communities. Why are inclusivity and equity in art representation so important?

SH: I personally think art should reflect society and we wouldn’t be reflecting society if we just showcased art from white dudes. Statistically, it is more difficult for non-white artists to get their work in galleries, so if we are truly supporting all artists we need to contribute to helping mitigate those barriers.

MW: How does Art Tooth ensure inclusivity and equity in your works?

SH: I think we have generally just tried to see who we have worked with and find a balance, but we are about to start implementing a process of surveying our past artists and getting a clearer picture of where we need to make improvements.

MW: Do you think your efforts have led to more diversity in the contemporary art scene in Fort Worth?

SH: No, I don’t think we can take any credit for that. I think we could probably be doing more.

MW: What do you think are the biggest challenges that artists face in Fort Worth today, both as an artist and as Executive Director of Art Tooth?

SH: I think that Fort Worth wants to be seen as art focused, but when you ask some businesses or leaders to actually support artists by paying them what they are worth they don’t want to contribute or they try to cut corners.

MW: How do you juggle your work as an artist with your job as Executive Director of Art Tooth?

SH: I am actually pretty bad at it. I think sometimes I sign up for stuff with my own art just so I have a deadline I have to make and then I get my art work done at the last minute.

MW: How does your career as an artist influence the way Art Tooth supports artists?

SH: I grew up in a small town and put myself through school while raising two kids so I have had my own hurdles to face trying to get my art out there including imposter syndrome and feeling like I am not educated enough. So I know what fears and hopes artists have and I know that sometimes getting that first chance is everything to keep you going.

MW: Where you see the contemporary art scene in Fort Worth going in the next five years?

SH: I hope we keep going and expanding but these rent prices are a big issue and I think there is a plateau for some artists where they have to leave or show their work in Dallas or move to Austin or Houston because we need more support once artists get to the point where they can sell high dollar pieces. If we can establish more residencies where artists get free studio space and get paid to work that will help significantly.

MW: Where do you see Art Tooth going in the next five years?

SH: We tried to have studio spaces and that didn’t work out but it would be great to have a permanent office and find funding for studios in the next five years and to expand how we work to collaborate with artists in new ways.

MW: Where do you see your art going in the next five years?

SH: I just hope it gets weirder.

Lightning Round: Fort Worth Favorites

• Coffee shop – Black Coffee and Avoca have my favorite match lattes and Cherry has my favorite drip coffee
• Breakfast/brunch place – Montgomery Street Cafe and Cafecito
• Hangout with friends – Chat Room and Boiled Owl
• Place to relax and recharge – My house
• Artist or musician (if this isn’t too political!) – Can’t pick one artist as a favorite but Son of Stan, Spring Palace and Hotel Satellite are my current fave local bands
• Yearly event or festival – Arts Goggle
• Favorite museum – The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth obs
• Thrift or consignment shop – Doc’s Records
• Best bartender, cocktail, or mocktail in town – Oh this one is definitely too political for me
• Best hamburger joint – Gusto’s
• Best barbecue – ok it’s like FW adjacent but Smoke’N Ash
• Mexican restaurant – I have done very little research in this category, but San Luis is probably the one I visit the most.

The post Community Member Spotlight: Shasta Haubrich first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Celia Álvarez Muñoz: El Limite

Through October 18

Amon Carter Museum of American Art

In a new iteration of her installation for the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, from 1991, Texas-based artist Celica Álvarez Muñoz has transformed the Carter’s sloping first-floor gallery. In El Limite, Muñoz references the works of Mexican printmaker José Guadalupe Posada in two large-scale photographs and explores the effects of the railroad on the connections and divisions among cultures, languages, and traditions.

The Questioneers: Read. Question. Think. PLAY!

Through May 24

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

While little ones might balk at spending a couple of hours looking at art, The Questioneers: Read. Question. Think. PLAY! is a hands-on exhibit that encourages questioning, thinking, and problem-solving. Based on the popular children’s book series by Andrea Beaty, which includes favorites such as Rosie Revere, Engineer, and Ada Twist, Scientist, this exhibition will have your kiddos using their little gray cells while having loads of fun. (Just don’t tell them that they’re learning while they’re playing!)

Roy Lichtenstein in the Studio

Through August 16

Nasher Sculpture Center and the Dallas Museum of Art

When someone says “Pop Art,” most people automatically think of Roy Lichtenstein’s large-scale interpretations of comic book panels. However, Lichtenstein’s oeuvre is more wide-ranging, encompassing sculpture, prints, and murals. The Nasher Sculpture Center and the Dallas Museum of Art celebrate the acquisition of over 50 works from the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation in this joint exhibition of drawings, sculptures, and prints by the groundbreaking artist, shown at the neighboring institutions.

Georgia O’Keeffe and the Carter

Through September 2027

Amon Carter Museum of American Art

It’s fitting that a museum dedicated to American art has created an exhibition of works by the artist known as “the Mother of American Modernism.” For the first time, the Carter explores its ties to O’Keeffe, possibly America’s most recognized artist, showing not only her paintings and works on paper from the Museum’s collection, but also photographs, letters, and other materials from O’Keeffe and other artists such as Alfred Stieglitz, Laura Gilpin, and Eliot Porter.

Fire and Earth: Early Chinese Pottery from the MacLean Collection

Through September 27

Crow Museum of Asian Art

Architect Louis Sullivan once declared that “Form follows function.” Fire and Earth: Early Chinese Pottery from the MacLean Collection features 45 vessels spanning the Neolithic period (ca. 10,000–2000 BCE) through the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), exploring how function and technological advances shaped the development of pottery across China, from simple earthenware vessels to early glazed porcelain.

Paper Technologies: Italian Prints and Drawings

Through September 20

Dallas Museum of Art

Through the selection of works from early modern Italy, from Venice to Rome, dated from 1500 to 1750, Paper Technologies: Italian Prints and Drawings explores a complex relationship between drawings, prints, and their afterlife. The increasing availability of paper enabled advancements in drawing and printmaking, and the exhibition features works from the Dallas Museum of Art’s permanent collection as well as never-before-seen pieces from private collectors.

Waste to Wonder

Through May 24

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

We are increasing a throw-away culture. Mass-produced items have a single use and are meant to be disposed of instead of repaired and kept. In collaboration with the Tarrant County Education Foundation, Waste to Wonder explores how innovation and creativity can transform one man’s trash into another man’s treasure with hands-on exhibits that delve into what it means to be truly sustainable.

Paper Knife: Objects of Beauty in Early Modern Japan

Through September 29

Crow Museum of Asian Art

When I say the word “samurai,” what springs to mind? Sword-wielding warriors fighting for their lord’s honor, correct? That image is only a small part of what samurai were. Exploring developments in decorative and fine arts, Paper Knife: Objects of Beauty in Early Modern Japan explores how pastimes, such as calligraphy, tea ceremonies, and landscape painting, were defining features of the elite samurai class, and how craftsmanship and materials elevated the mundane to the sublime.

Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers

March 8 through September 27

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

In his first major exhibition in more than a decade, multimedia Rashid Johnson uses Black history, art history, and philosophy as a framework to explore masculinity, parenthood, self-care, and identity. Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers includes over 80 works and traces Johnson’s development through early photographic pieces, film, and sculpture to more recent paintings and assemblages.

The Holy Sepulcher: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem

March 15 through June 28

Kimbell Art Museum

For centuries, European monarchs competed to demonstrate their piety and support for Christianity in the Middle East by commissioning art and religious items. Composed of more than 60 dazzling pieces gifted by kings, queens, and other rulers to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, The Holy Sepulcher: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem includes reliquaries, crosses, chalices, vestments, and candlesticks created out of rich materials by the most talented craftsmen and artists of the 17^th and 18^th centuries in Europe.

Black Photojournalism

March 15 through July 5

Amon Carter Museum of American Art

The years between 1945 and the mid-1980s were a time of great change in the United States. From the post-war boom through the Civil Rights movement and beyond, Black Photojournalism explores the essential role of Black photojournalists in documenting historic events and everyday life in Black-owned media outlets during those turbulent times. These photographs create a historical record of Black life that is rich and nuanced, and that serves as a tool for empowerment and education.

Paradise on Earth: Florals in Indian Textiles

April 1 through November 29

Dallas Museum of Art

For thousands of years, Indian textile artists turned to the natural world for inspiration. Exploring the impact of plant and floral imagery in Indian textile and garment design, Paradise on Earth: Florals in Indian Textiles examines the interconnectedness of craftsmanship, art, and nature and showcases the richness of clothing, decorative arts, paintings, and textiles from the Mughal Empire (1526-1827) to the present.

The Cinematic West: The Art That Made the Movies

Through April 25

Sid Richardson Museum

The Hollywood Western wouldn’t be the Hollywood Western without the works of Western artists like Charles Russell, Frederic Remington, and many others. Their art explores the mythology of the American West– a mythology that Hollywood enthusiastically embraced and amplified. The Cinematic West: The Art That Made the Movies juxtaposes paintings, sculptures, and illustrations with movie posters, silent-movie clips, and other ephemera, revealing parallels between “fine art” and “mass media.”

The Statue of Liberty: From Bartholdi to Warhol

August 16, 2026 through January 3, 2027

Amon Carter Museum of American Art

“’I lift my lamp beside the golden door!’” In honor of the 250^th anniversary of the United States, the Carter explores the place of the Statue of Liberty in America’s visual culture and the evolution of depictions of French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi’s monolithic work, Liberty Enlightening the World, as well as its continuing relevance in America’s visual culture. The exhibition is anchored by a rare bronze cast of Lady Liberty, one of only five small-scale bronze casts made during Bartholdi’s lifetime.

Preservation Is the Art of the City

September 10 through September 12

Location to be determined

In its 23^rd year, Preservation Is the Art of the City showcases the work of North Texas artists while raising money for Historic Fort Worth, Inc. The event, spanning several days around Fall Gallery Night, allows art patrons to connect with local artists and their works and celebrates the talent and creativity of our city.

Photography’s First Century: Masterworks from the Bibliothèque nationale de France

October 4, 2026 through January 17, 2027

Kimbell Art Museum

Photography’s First Century: Masterworks from the Bibliothèque nationale de France is the Kimbell’s first-ever exhibition celebrating the art of photography. The Bibliothèque nationale de France holds one of the most extensive collections of photography in the world, and this exhibition uses its holdings to trace the development of the medium over its first century, from the technological breakthroughs of early photographic processes such as the Daguerreotype and calotype to the impact of war and politics between the World Wars.

Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival

April 16-19

Downtown Fort Worth

The granddaddy of all Fort Worth’s art festivals, Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival returns for its 39^th year in 2026. One of the top-rated fine arts festivals in the country and certainly the biggest in Texas, Main St. is an outdoor gallery featuring the art of more than 200 jury-selected artists in media such as sculpture, painting, photography, and more, and is one of the highlights of North Texas’s cultural year.

Grapevine Main Street Fest

May 15-17

Downtown Grapevine

Grapevine’s annual street festival, celebrating all things Grapevine, is a family-friendly festival that features food, shopping, and entertainment. It also includes the Grapevine Art Project Market, which features art from the Grapevine Art Project, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and promoting artists in the city and to providing scholarships to art students in the area.

Denton Arts & Jazz Festival

September 11-13

Downtown Denton

Not just a bedroom community for the bigger cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex or the home of the University of North Texas, Denton has established itself as a center for the arts in North Texas. Founded on the belief that all forms of art should be available to everyone free of charge, the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival offers professional and amateur artists and musicians alike a place to share their art with the public.

North Texas Art Festival

May 16 & 17

Katy Depot, Denison

Situated on the shores of Lake Texoma, Denison is a small town with a big city arts culture. Juried local, regional, and national artists come to Denison every year for the North Texas Arts Festival. Musicians from across Texas and the Southwest perform as families enjoy the kid-friendly activities and shop for art at the historic Katy Depot.

Art Worth: A Festival at Clearfork

October 23-25

The Lawn of the Shops at Clearfork

A relative newcomer among North Texas art festivals, Art Worth is a celebration of visual art and classical music with a juried exhibition of art by Texas and national artists and music from local schools and professional companies. Art Worth also affords the public the opportunity to enjoy glassblowing, pottery, and metalsmithing demonstrations and to converse with the artists.

Cottonwood Art Festival

May 2 & 3 and October 3 & 4

Cottonwood Park, Richardson

Now in its 57^th year, the Cottonwood Arts Festival has become one of the most prestigious fine arts festivals in the United States. Featuring works in all media by nearly 200 artists from across the nation, “The Cottonwood” celebrates the visual and performing arts and has become a Richardson tradition on the first weekends of May and October.

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