Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Yanez.
Daniel, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been a professional artist going on 13 years. Born and Raised here in Oak cliff I never was exposed much to art as a kid. I didn’t find art until I went to college. it was my first time stepping into a gallery and noticing there were prices under the artwork. I was like “I can make a living off of this? sign me up!”, and from that point on I called my self a professional artist. I wish that was where all the fun began but it was hell the first 6 years. It was heartache and heartbreak trying to learn the business and find my style.
After the initial 6 years, I began to show in galleries and began taking on commissions and mural work. I was finally able to save enough money to open my own gallery. I was excited when I opened the doors to the Basement Gallery, I had high expectations, but again I had to spend the beginning with a learning curve. I didn’t have anyone to ask for advice or how to do anything. no one in my family has ever owned a business, to be honest, I was the first in my family to graduate high school and even attempt college. So I had no guidance or knowledge of what I was doing so I struggled, but like in any success, story persistence was key.
The Basement Gallery was a strong presence until 2016 when I received a visit from Fire Marshals that said I was not in compliance. Which ultimately meant spending a lot of money. If I was a wealthy individual that probably wouldn’t have been a problem but of course I wasn’t. I am from a family that grew up poor and at times homeless, we lack resources and good education so the city got what they wanted. It took me a year to open The Basement Back up, only to be burdened with more obstacles. With the way the city wanted it, I could not afford to open a gallery back up so I got creative and began to use the basement as a shared space. it was a struggle again trying to figure it out but I believed in the new vision and felt promise.
That’s when gentrification hit. My building got sold to a businessman from Cali who was going to revamp the whole building and frankly that left no room for me. Luckily the former owner of the building was a good friend of mine and let me know what was happening so I was already preparing for the worst with other locations in mind. I was in good contact with a collector of mine who so happens to own properties and worked out a deal to take this shared space idea to his property. It was mid-September 2017 when I was sitting with two friends (Robert Garza & Elva Chavez) and decided to call the new endeavor “Elevate Dallas”, the new chapter was born.
We began to do renovations in the new space in November and it was all done by us (Artists involved with the Basement). It was Back Breaking work but we all pulled together to get it done. Robert Garza became the manager, Elva Chavez became marketing director and we now have an awesome team including Michael Houlihan, and David Reyes. I believe everything happens for a reason and everything always works out as long as you don’t give up. this is only the beginning of elevate which I know will bring many opportunities for our community and local artist entrepreneurs. We just hope you are part of our story.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has never been smooth and I’m not even sure that it should be. I wouldn’t change any aspect of my life, I’m glad the struggle was there because my appreciation level is always at its highest. I like the person I am today and wouldn’t be that person without all that I’ve gone through.
Without homelessness, I wouldn’t know that fear that pushes me to never be there again. Without the Basement Gallery shutdown, I would have never found those true friends that never gave up on me. Without growing up poor I would never know how grateful I should be every time I’m able to take my family for a meal. Those things embody who I am and because of it, I feel to be a better person.
Please tell us about Elevate Dallas.
Elevate!, located in the heart of the Oak Cliff, is an open workspace with a creative and professional atmosphere. Here we strive to inspire individuals by allowing members to establish their identities as creatives and independent professionals. We provide tools and resources to encourage artistic and entrepreneurial success. Along with access to suites, work studios, conference rooms, and desks, we also offer networking opportunities, art and business talks from established professionals, and reliable Wi-Fi connection.
Our mission is to inspire, educate and celebrate diversity through visual art to bring communities together. We believe that art is our voice/language and we can use this conduit to share life’s greatest metaphors through a brilliant experience. I am most proud of the fact that we are a space for True Creative entrepreneurs made by True Creative Entrepreneurs. We are in the heart of Oak Cliff where I was born and raised. I am also Proud that Elevate is a very Diverse Business. Everyone can feel welcome.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I’m not one to look back quite often because I feel it slows me down. Everything is experienced for a reason, but if you want some advice that I learned that would make things easier there are none. Just go experience it yourself. Be fearless.
Pricing:
- Memberships start at $50 per month
- Photography Studio starts at $25 per hour
- Full Membership $200 per month
Contact Info:
- Address: 1005 W. Jefferson Blvd. Ste. 402 Dallas TX, 75208
- Website: www.weelevatedallas.com
- Phone: 4697791480
- Email: info@weelevatedallas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevate_dtx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevatedtx/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/elevatedtx/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/ARTBYDIY
Image Credit:
Elva Chavez, Daniel Yanez, Michael Hoilihan, Robert Garza
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
