Experience Heritage and Artistry at Lewisville's "Let the Tablecloth Speak" Exhibit by Renowned Artist Jas Mardis

Art and history enthusiasts take note: the Lewisville Grand Theater is currently hosting "Let the Tablecloth Speak: The Embedded DNA Storytelling in Heirloom Linens," a unique exhibition by Jas Mardis that began its monthlong run on Saturday, June 8, with an Opening Reception that kicked off the series of events accompanying the exhibit which is slated to close on Saturday, July 6. Visitors can experience the gallery Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or during public happenings at the venue, and explore an insightful collection of 13 fabric art quilts, derived from a single tablecloth that chronicles family memories and the passage of time at the dinner table.

Award-winning and multi-faceted artist Jas Mardis, known for his pyrography, quilted art, and ironclad credentials which include his induction into The Texas Literary Hall of Fame in 2014 and multiple GRIOT Awards from the Association of Black Journalists, brings to life these heirlooms in a way that is as unique as his standing as the only Pyrography on Leather Portrait Artist Practitioner in the fabric art world. The exhibition fosters a communal atmosphere by inviting attendees to contribute a printed family photo to a designated wall within the gallery, although it is noted in the City of Lewisville, Texas that these photographs will not be returned.

Reflecting Mardis' commitment to community engagement and art education, the schedule includes not one but two free art workshops hosted by the artist himself, set for Saturday, June 15, at 2 p.m., and Sunday, June 23, at 3 p.m.; registration is necessary to snag a spot at these limited-capacity events, which can be booked online through the theater's ticketing portal. These workshops and the overall exhibition were born from one of the 30 actionable recommendations made by the Mayor's Commission – Listen Learn Lead, an initiative conscientiously executed by the City Council since 2020 with ongoing progress updates available to the public on their website.