Imaginations will flourish this fall during the Nasher Sculpture Center’s 2026 Great Create, an annual family-friendly fundraiser and interactive event that transforms the Nasher Garden into a hands-on, art-filled space for kids and families.
During the event on Sunday, Oct. 25, families will engage in creative projects led by Texas artists while enjoying live entertainment, kid-friendly food, and the museum’s sculpture collection.
The Great Create is vastly different from your typical society gala, event chair Tori Mulford explained as we talked in her University Park home.
“It’s not about who is there and what are they wearing,” she joked. “That’s not why we do this. If you’re standing still for photos, you’re doing something wrong. This is getting hands-on. It’s probably my favorite day of the year.”
The event inspires creativity for more than a single afternoon. It raises funds to support the Nasher Sculpture Center’s education programs, which benefit thousands of students and families all year long.
The Great Create’s theme this year is midcentury modern. Mulford described its range of activities as including “a little bit of everything” — from crafts, video, and ceramics to experiences from Camp Crafty, the creative party company founded by Ursuline Academy graduate Lilly Watson.
“I feel like The Great Create is we’re all kind of in it together,” Mulford said. “It just feels very authentic and special because it’s actually casual, actually fun.”
The event’s artist roster includes Matt Kleberg, Virginia Montgomery and Britt Moseley, Liz Trosper, Jessica Hilvitz, Kevin Todora, Brenda Bogart, Niki Dionne, Xxavier Carter, Mackenzie Brittingham, Lilly Watson, and Flynn Flanagan.
Flanagan, a Highland Park native now based in New York, said she had met some of the participating artists during Dallas Art Week and was already getting excited for the October event.
“I do kaleidoscopey, color-blocked work, so my plan is to turn it into coloring pages and have a coloring station for kids to fill those out,” Flanagan, said, explaining that she was planning a color-perception lightbox in her booth. “I’m very interested in STEM, so I want to get a little science in my booth, as well.”
The live entertainment will feature Audrey Schott, whose Backyard Music Classes foster a love of music in children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old. Schott also offers a piano fundamentals summer program for young elementary schoolers.
The Great Create’s fundraising so far this year has exceeded expectations, Mulford said. And many attendees will continue to give back by donating tickets to art teachers and others who will appreciate and enjoy the afternoon.
Mulford would love to see The Great Create grow beyond the Nasher Sculpture Center.
“I think the fact that children can participate in the volunteering experience is unique,” she observed. “Most times when we go to a fundraiser, it’s just this kind of transactional situation. So, this is great, because it’s the whole family doing something together and building positive memories.”
Author
Josh Hickman
Josh Hickman is a national award-winning journalist, visual artist, sometime musician, and author of seven books. His writing For People Newspapers often focuses on arts & culture, local small businesses, local history & government, and interesting personal stories. His paintings include a commission for Dallas County and a donation to Parkland Memorial Hospital.
