What: University of Houston School of Art "Cultivating Creativity: An Evening of Food, Wine and Conversation with Artists and Designers."
Where: M.D. Anderson Library Rockwell Pavilion on the University of Houston campus.
The 411: The first-ever scholarship fundraising dinner for the University of Houston School of Art,chaired by Melissa Edwards and Norman Ewart, drew a lively mix of artists, scholars and designers. Among the table talkers were gallery owner Betty Moody, artists Suzanne Bloom, Sharon Engelstein, Aaron Parazette and Shane Tolbert, Menil curator Michelle White and Art GuysMichael Galbreth and Jack Massing. UH School ofArt alumni Kelli Vance, Jay Giroux, Geoff Hippenstiel and Kristen Cliburn donated works for a silent auction while UH graduate graphic design student Jason Wheeler created the much-talked-about illuminated decor.
Phoenicia Specialty Foods catered a dinner of arugula, apple and feta salad, poached salmon with spring ratatouille and gold potatoes served family-style atop centerpieces at each table. Phoenicia principal Meredith Tcholakian is a UH alum and volunteer with the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
Guests marveled at the collaborative dessert installation by artists Liza Littlefield and Patrick Renner with Phoenicia baker Fabrice Maraine, which played off the theme of the late sculptor Lee Littlefield's Spin Drop Flower hovering above the pastry-laden table. Family and friends are remembering Littlefield, who died last year, with a scholarship fund benefiting UH School of Art sculpture students.
Who: UH School of Art director Rex Koontz and Daniela Koontz, Jereann Chaney, Susie and Sanford Criner, Krista Dumas, Rachel Clingman, Raffi Tcholakian, Caroline Graham, Jane Eifler, Nancy Luton, Carey Shuart, UH dean John Roberts, Carolyn Farb, Sharon and Gus Kopriva.
The ceiling of Rockwell Pavilion was illuminated with projected art for the dinner.
