VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

The Jung Center of Houston presents Imagine: Texas Doll Artists, on view December 1 through December 22.

 Let your imagination take flight with the wonderful work of the artists of TAODA (Texas Association of Original Doll Artists). The enchanting figures are created from many mediums: clay, porcelain, wood, fiber, and other materials. Each piece is one-of-a-kind sculpture, designed and created by TAODA artist members.

The Texas Association of Original Doll Artists (TAODA) came into being in 1999 when a group of 10 doll artists, who had met the previous year at a doll making workshop in Houston, decided to join forces. After a few informal meetings, these founding members developed a set of bylaws and a plan for promoting the "art of the doll."

To that end, in 2001, TAODA artists assembled the first Storybook Doll Exhibit designed to tour Houston area libraries. The initial show was highly successful and TAODA artists have continued to create a new Storybook collection each year. In addition to public libraries, the Storybook dolls have been displayed at the Decorative Arts Museum at Houston Baptist University, the Heritage Society Museum in Houston, the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County, and the Brazosport Art League Gallery in Clute, Texas. TAODA was also invited to send collections of Storybook dolls to the International Figurative Art Shows in Kansas City and Santa Fe. The Storybook Dolls have also been published in Art Doll Quarterly and Doll Directory. Beginning in 2006, TAODA has been invited to debut each new Storybook Exhibit at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas.

TAODA was also pleased to exhibit its first juried show of art dolls in 2007 at the Brazosport Art League Gallery in Clute, Texas, with the theme of, "Sinners and Saints and Wisecracking Women." In January 2008, TAODA’s next major exhibit, "Flights of Fancy," was held at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, and in May 2008, the "All Dolled Up" exhibit was featured at the Artful Corner Gallery in Houston.

TAODA has grown from 10 doll makers to a membership nearing 50 individuals consisting of both Artist and Associate members. To qualify as an Artist member, a doll maker must create one-of-a-kind dolls and/or costumed sculptures that are totally the original design and work of the individual artist. TAODA encourages doll artists to grow in their craft through monthly meetings, annual retreats, and participation in the various exhibits, events and shows.

The newly updated TAODA website contains past Storybook Doll collections, artist links, our bylaws and downloadable membership application forms and information. Our newsletter, "TAODA Happenings," is published monthly.

Now that we have reached our 10th anniversary, TAODA endeavors to continue to expand our vision for promoting the "art of the doll."