The Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) has added six new works to its permanent collection following acquisitions at the 2026 Dallas Art Fair, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to contemporary and diverse artistic voices.

A Decade of Strategic Acquisitions

Held April 16–19 at the Fashion Industry Gallery in the Dallas Arts District, this year’s Dallas Art Fair brought together collectors, curators, and leading galleries from around the world. The 2026 acquisitions mark the tenth consecutive year the DMA has selected works directly from the fair.

The purchases were funded through the Dallas Art Fair Foundation and the DMA Acquisition Fund, established in 2016. Over the past decade, the initiative has contributed more than $1 million toward acquiring 78 artworks for the museum’s collection.

Dallas Art Fair director Kelly Cornell emphasized the long-term cultural impact of the program, noting that the fair plays a key role in connecting the city with influential contemporary artists and ensuring their work becomes part of a lasting public collection.

Featured Artists and New Additions

The newly acquired works include pieces by Nicole Eisenman, Gloria Klein, Caroline Monnet, Hasani Sahlehe, and Raymond Saunders. These additions span multiple mediums, including painting, textile, collage, relief, and drawing, reflecting a wide range of artistic approaches from the mid-1970s to the present.

Selections were made by a team of DMA curators and leadership, including Dr. Vivian Li, curator of contemporary art, along with other senior curators and museum director Brian Ferriso, in collaboration with fund donors.

Dr. Li noted that the acquisitions celebrate artists who bring deeply personal perspectives into innovative forms. She added that the museum continues to prioritize works by Indigenous, LGBTQ, women, and African diaspora artists whose practices are shaping contemporary art.

Spotlight on the Artists

Nicole Eisenman, based in Brooklyn, is widely recognized for her contributions to contemporary art, with major exhibitions at international institutions and participation in events such as the Venice Biennale and Whitney Biennial.

Gloria Klein (1936–2021), an American abstract painter, developed a distinctive visual language rooted in repetition and structured systems. Her work explores tension between order and chaos through layered patterns and color.

Caroline Monnet, a multidisciplinary artist of Anishinaabe and French heritage, examines the legacy of colonialism through modern interpretations grounded in Indigenous methodologies. Her work has been exhibited internationally across major institutions. Hasani Sahlehe creates large-scale abstract paintings that explore perception, memory, and emotion through color and texture. His process often draws inspiration from music and architectural forms, resulting in immersive visual experienceRaymond Saunders (1934–2026), known for his influential career spanning decades, combined painting, drawing, and collage to address themes of identity and culture. His work is held in major museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art.

Strengthening the Museum’s Vision

The DMA’s latest acquisitions reflect a continued effort to build a collection that represents a broad spectrum of voices and experiences. By leveraging partnerships like the Dallas Art Fair Acquisition Fund, the museum aims to ensure that significant contemporary works remain accessible to the public for years to come.