28^TH BIENNIAL “CARROLL HARRIS SIMMS NATIONAL BLACK ART COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION”
Jan. 31 through July 24, 2025
Free and open to the public

After receiving hundreds of entries from across the country, the top artists of the 28^th biennial “Carroll Harris Simms National Black Art Competition and Exhibition” have been selected and will be showcased at the AAM. The history of this initiative began in 1976 when the African American Museum, Dallas initiated the Southwest Black Art Competition and Exhibition. The purpose of the juried competition and exhibition stemmed from the Museum’s need to build a distinguished art collection and to provide Black artists in the region a venue to showcase their work. Over the years, the Southwest Black Art Competition and Exhibition attracted the attention of artists beyond its geographical boundaries. In 1999, the Museum’s board renamed the biennial competition to the “Carroll Harris Simms National Black Art Competition and Exhibition” in honor of Carroll Harris Simms’ outstanding contributions to art and art education.

 

"The African American Museum is dedicated to celebrating Black History year-round, but February offers a special opportunity to reflect on the contributions and global impact of African Americans,” said Margie Reese, interim director of the museum. Our hope is that these experiences will inspire connection, learning and a greater understanding of the stories that continue to shape our collective future.”
 

About the African American Museum, Dallas. The African America Museum, Dallas was founded in 1974 as a part of Bishop College. The Museum has operated independently since 1979. For more than 50 years, the African American Museum has stood as a cultural beacon in Dallas and the Southwestern United States. Located in Dallas’ historic Fair Park, the African American Museum is the only museum in the Southwestern United States devoted to the collection, preservation and display of African American artistic, cultural and historical materials that relate to the African American experience. The African American Museum incorporates a wide variety of visual art forms and historical documents that portray the African American experience in the United States, Southwest, and Dallas. The Museum has a small, but rich collection of African art, African American fine art and one of the largest African American folk-art and decorative art collections in the United States. Learn more at aamdallas.org.

Location: 3536 Grand Ave, Dallas, TX 75210

Website: https://aamdallas.org/

Phone: 214-565-9026

From 10:00AM to 5:00PM

Shop for hard-to-find vintage and collectible toys, comic books, records, video games, apparel, props, exclusives and more.

Celebrity Guests!

 

STANDARD VIP ADMISSION

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOWER PRICES NOW! ACT FAST, PRICES INCREASE JULY 1ST!
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STANDARD VIP ADMISSION INCLUDES:
• Full Weekend Event Admission
• Early Wristband pickup option on Friday, July 11th from Noon-6PM
• ONE HOUR EARLY ENTRY TO EXHIBITOR ROOM BOTH DAYS OF THE EVENT
• July 2025 Show Exclusive Retro Expo T-Shirt ($5 Surcharge for Sizes 2XL-4XL)
• Exclusive 2025 Retro Expo 2.5" Event Feature Pin Back
• Exclusive 2025 Retro Expo 11x17 Art Print
• 10% Off Store Merchandise
VIP Hours: Saturday July 12, 2025 9am-6pm; Sunday July 13, 2025 10am-5pm. NOTE: “Anytime” children’s tickets for those ages 9-12: $10. Valid for admission at any time with a paying adult. Free admission for children ages 8 & under with paying adult (Limit 2 free children admissions per paid adult). Those 12 and up are considered adults for ticketing purposes.

$44.90   ($39.95 + $4.95 fee)

 

General Admission

General admission tickets grant you access for one day only, so if you want to enjoy both days, you'll need to buy two tickets. However, with our VIP Admission Ticket, you get entry on both Saturday and Sunday, one-hour early access each day, early wristband pickup on Friday, plus an awesome swag bundle.... all for less than the price of 2 General Admission Tickets! Consider upgrading to VIP to maximize your Retro Expo experience! 

Location: 2000 East Spring Creek Parkway, Plano

Website: https://heritageevents.ticketspice.com/retro-expo-july-2025-plano-tx

From 12:00PM to 4:00PM

Step into a tropical paradise with Queens' Market at Community Beer on July 12, 12-4pm!

Sip on an exotic cocktail while you peruse our women-led vendor booths, you might just find something worth your while

Location: Community Beer Co. 3110 Commonwealth Dr Dallas, TX 75247

Website: https://communitybeer.com/event/queens-market-5/

Phone: (214) 751-7921

From 1:00PM to 6:00PM

The Tattoo Collectors Expo is a premier tattoo convention that showcases renowned tattoo artists, live entertainment, vendors, and interactive experiences. This year's expo will feature more than 450+ of the nation's Top Tattoo Artists who will be putting their skills and talent on display for the whole world to see. For die-hard tattoo fans, "tattoo collectors" as they are known, it's an opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with the best-of-the-best so hopefully they can take away inspiration for their next tattoo, pick-up cool merchandise or products not found anywhere else, as well as interview artists and shops to find new tattoo hook-up's, or even better get a tattoo right on-site during the show.

Location: Embassy Suites & Frisco Conference Center, 7600 John Q Hammons Dr. Frisco TX 75034

Website: https://tattoocollectorsexpo.com/

Phone: (817) 385-9827