Oak Cliff’s own Sara Jane Semrad was a finalist for the Dallas Observer’s MasterMind Awards, which were announced in this week’s edition.

The story says: “Sarah Jane Semrad, 35, is the major moving, shaking force behind many of the arts groups and events in Dallas that have injected fresh energy and ideas into the local arts scene.”

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She is the founder of La Reunion TX and Art Conspiracy.

Filmmaker Eric Steele also was a finalist. Steele lives in East Dallas, but he is part of the team that just took over managment of the Texas Theatre.

Here’s what they say about him: “As partner in Aviation Cinemas, Steele, who’s also an actor, playwright and filmmaker (look for his next indie, Uncertain, TX, to premiere at the Texas Theatre), wants his 1,100-seat movie theater to become a ‘creative space in general.’ ”

We first wrote about Steele over on our East Dallas blog when he was filming his short, “Topeka” inside Gold Rush Cafe.