Blazing her brilliant trail, Ashley Longshore (ashleylongshore.com) does everything with panache. We sat down with this feisty firecracker to learn more about her new gallery, her love for Mambo Taxis and more.
PHOTO BY MARY ELLEN MATTHEWS
In Dallas this month you received the “Exuberance in Art” award from Fashion Group International at their Night of Stars gala Nov. 9. What does this mean to you?
It’s pretty wild to be a self-taught artist from Montgomery, Alabama, who dreamt of wanting to do this as a profession. Being on stage alongside Nina Garcia, Bethann Hardison and Christian Siriano is crazy! Dallas has been such a huge part of my trajectory as an artist—the collectors in the city have been so enthusiastic and gracious and welcoming—not only with their hospitality and energy but also with their big ole’ Dallas checkbooks.
Speaking of fashion, what are you going to wear? I’m brewing up something pretty awesome right now. It will be colorful and wild.
Do you have any must-stops when you come to town? I love Highland Park Village—love me a Mambo Taxi. The Dallas Museum of Art is spectacular as well. Dallas does it right.
Tell us about your newly opened gallery in Soho, New York. Thirty years in the making, this is a dream of mine. I feel at home in a way I haven’t felt before. It has incredibly intoxicating energy. Having this space is an incredible opportunity to showcase other artists. I’m excited about what the future holds.
Was there a specific moment when you knew this was your ultimate goal? When you find something you love, like I found art, and you have no money, you realize the incredible opportunity you have in America to be an entrepreneur. It was full-blooded American, elbow grease and ambition.
Do you have a favorite piece? They’re all my babies!
What’s next? I’ve been writing a musical. I would love to do something in the theater. I think I’d be pretty damn good at standup comedy. The only question is, would they be prepared for me to do it topless?
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