Kelly Cornell is a Dallas native who works as Director of the Dallas Art Fair. Kelly studied Painting as well as Arts Management and Entrepreneurship at Southern Methodist University. While there, she became an intern for the art fair that she now manages. Co-founded in 2009 by Dallas business entrepreneur/real estate developer John Sughrue and independent curator Chris Byrne, the Dallas Art Fair has become the cornerstone of what is now Dallas Arts Month. The event offers collectors, arts professionals, and the public the opportunity to engage with a rich selection of modern and contemporary artworks presented by nearly 100 of the world’s leading galleries.

I recently spoke with Kelly via Skype from her home where she was caring for her one-week-old daughter, Frances. During our conversation, we had the opportunity to discuss the evolving role of the arts in Dallas, the history of the Dallas Art Fair, what it takes to prepare for the event, how artists can participate and the noticeable absence of corny dogs and henna tattoos.