Dallas art group works to restore Oak Cliff Assembly by bringing local artists together

To many community members, the Oak Cliff Assembly is more than just a historic building in Dallas.

Located at 919 Morrell Ave., the building has transformed into a creative center where the community can enjoy and celebrate the works of local artists and creators.

The Oak Cliff Assembly hosts art walks, which are events designed to celebrate the restoration of the historic landmark.

At only its third “art walk,” hundreds of people showed up at the event on Saturday, where more than 600 pieces were submitted and 120 artists had their work displayed.

What was previously known as the home to Oak Cliff Assembly of God and then Zion Missionary Baptist Church, the building was under the threat of being knocked down as it was up for public auction and zoned for townhouses. Although no longer primarily a church, the members at Zion Missionary Baptist Church still gather for services at the building on Sundays.

This wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the efforts of Proxy Property Management.

AJ Ramler, of Proxy Property Management, purchased the building and had the zoning passed in June. The real estate firm aims to preserve and restore historical properties.

The Oak Cliff Assembly, built in 1941, was in a “really bad” condition when the firm came across the property, according to Ramler.

With the roof caved in, flooded floors, and rotting pews, he took it as an opportunity to create beauty from ashes.

“This is just an area that needs a lot of love,” said Ramler. The property, which is made up of four separate buildings, has several areas that are “blighted” and have been boarded up.

Ramler, who also works as an artist, began renovations by starting with the rotted pews. Turning them into canvases, more than 30 artists were invited to rework the pews and turn them into their own creative pieces.

“There was a lot of this kind of underground pop-up art movement happening and it has kind of faded away,” said Ramler.

According to Ramler, the Oak Cliff neighborhood became commercialized and institutionalized, which led to the need of a more unified, artistic space.

“That’s what we do, is we buy and renovate historic properties, but I see that also as an art, so it’s all connected in that way,” said Ramler. “It’s just been a really awesome opportunity for me to be able to combine two things that I love in one place.”

Ray Alvarez was one of the many artists at the event who got to contribute to the renovation of the space.

“I think it’s important to have artwork from the community,” said Alvarez, who was using spray paint as a medium for his work at the event. “Any wall of space they give me, I’m going to take advantage of it.”

Like Ramler, Alvarez says the area, specifically the Oak Cliff Assembly, has been gentrified and local art is a way to help maintain the property.

Alvarez believes artwork of all kinds allow the assembly to integrate more with the community. “It’s good that they’re working with the local people and the local artists,” Alvarez said about the event and its organizers.

“We really just want to invite people in,” said Haley Leavitt, who works for Proxy Property Management. “I hope that people walk out feeling encouraged... just taking that and hopefully doing something really big and maybe even creating something like this in their own town.”

The building is also home to creative collectives and groups such as Urban Arts Center, a nonprofit that focuses on creative works by African-American artists, and Apprentice, which focuses on hosting literary workshops.

Ramler says the Oaks Cliff Assembly is trying to provide more resources to the community through the art space.

When I-35 was built cutting through the Oak Cliff neighborhood, some community members lost easy access to amenities, according to Ramler.

“We’re trying to come over here and say, ‘Hey, look, this area needs love and care and nurturing also.’”

One of the landmark’s buildings has also turned into office spaces that creators, artists, local entrepreneurs, and neighbors can rent in the attempt to provide more services to the community.

“We want to be a hub for the neighborhood,” said Ramler.

Leavitt says the future for Oak Cliff Assembly looks optimistic and full of opportunity as they plan to have more art shows and events.

“I can see it growing in a beautiful way,” said Leavitt. With several offices available, small companies and creators looking for a space away from home are encouraged to turn to Oak Cliff Assembly when “taking the next step of their careers.”

“We can be a slew of different things,” said Leavitt. “We have changed so much as a company in the past year and a half... This has just been such a rewarding experience and we just want to continue to open doors for people and offer a platform.”