9 May 7–13, 2026 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents granddaughter of immigrants to so many places. There is migration in my story forever.” Service, she admits with a refreshing dose of honesty, is mutually beneficial. “In my case it keeps me centered. My head is a trip. My soul is happy. Art and ser- vice center me. My mother, she and I will say it is self-serving. Give the good, the good part of myself.” This profound connection to the human experience spills over into how they view everyday interactions. You do not need a grand platform to make a difference. Mit- terer believes deeply in the micro-moments of empathy. “Just do one kind of kindness and dignity comes in even when somebody is begging on the street... In my own exercise, when I see people begging, I try to stop and make eye contact. That is enough.” She emphasizes that formal structures are secondary to action. “You don’t need to have an organization and do a 501(c)(3). It doesn’t need to be a perfect setting to be a helper. You just do something, invite a cup of tea, make a phone call, ask about how their day is going.” Dallas: A Unifying Backdrop The Rio Valley Relief Project does not exist in a vacuum. It draws its lifeblood from the generous, creative spirit of Dallas. Both women see the city not just as a location, but as an active participant in their work. “Dallas is aware and values the creativity in people,” Mitterer notes. “Dallas is perfect for that. There is so much to do and there is interest and it is a unifier.” When they call on the community, the community answers. “When we were setting up apartments, it’s amazing what people will gather for us. We get to be in the space where we see people show up, and it’s really great,” Mitterer says warmly. “You see the loop full of artists, mural artists...It is becoming a scene. We can just be whoever we want and the way we want and be genuine...Dallas is fantastic in that way.” Blooming with Purpose Art and activism will collide beautifully this spring. From May 7-10, Mitterer brings her vision to Dallas Market Hall for The Other Art Fair. Situated at Booth #2, her exhibition, The Flower Shop, is an immersive experience designed to provoke thought, offer hope and fund the very pantries the Rio Valley Relief Project stocks. “The theme is like a flower shop,” she ex- plains, describing the intricate layers of her display. “When you see, you see something and then if you keep watching, there are messages behind the glass all over and there are messages of hope and dissent...I choose beauty and color instead of anger.” Her art directly fuels her activism. “Now I sell stuff and it helps fund our work for pantries. And it’s a full circle, and I’m super happy about it.” At the fair, she will dedicate a specific section to this mission. “In the work that I’m showing there, there will be one wall that is called art with purpose...And anything that comes from that will go through our work at the Rio Val- ley Relief Project.” One of the standout pieces funding this cause is the “15th Texan Airlift Squadron.” A stunning 40” x 30” mosaic over acrylics, the piece depicts pelicans in vibrant flight. Through sweeping purple wings and hidden messages of empathy, the artwork serves as a reminder of the resilience living within the community. Buyers of the original piece or its prints will directly support the Relief Project’s ongoing efforts. The Beauty of Action Through the Rio Valley Relief Project, Stew- art and Mitterer remind us that service is not a rigid obligation. It’s a fluid, evolving practice of human connection. Whether they are coordinating resources for a disad- vantaged school, setting up a living room for a displaced family or pressing vibrant mo- saic tiles onto a canvas, they are building a masterpiece of community care. The Other Art Fair will take place from May 7 to May 10, 2026, at Dallas Market Hall, located at 2503 Market Center Blvd, North Hall. Tickets start at just $20, with pricing varying by the day, and can be pur- chased directly on the Other Art Fair’s official website. Courtesy of HKS A multi-layered cape was submitted by the Dallas flagship office.
