Keys to next October's Texas Contemporary Art Fair were temptingly dangled before young professionals with a flare for art when Access Contemporary officially launched on Wednesday with a special evening at DiverseWorks.
Just the ticket for budding collectors, membership in the nascent ensemble will entitle participants to behind-the-scenes opportunities during the art fair ranging from tours of private collections and studio open houses to gallery visits and an after-hours cocktail party at the fair itself.
Close to 150 art-enamored YPs joined a sprinkling of gallerists and art lovers for the evening that began with a multimedia performance piece showcasing choreography by Lydia Hance, interactive dance by Courtney D. Jones and original music by Mark Hirsch.
While discussing the mid-October art extravaganza, guests schmoozed over watermelon and cucumber cocktails, brewskies from St. Arnold Brewing Company and bites from Damian's and Eleven XI. While DJ E-Rush provided a dubstep backbeat, the art flock perused DiverseWorks’ new show L'esprit de l'escalier.
Access Contemporary host committee members Kerry Inman, Adrienne Johnson Yost, Michael Mandola and Liz Anders welcomed the art-minded crew that included Claudia Solis, Alexa Rosa, Gin Braverman, Matt Johns, Meredith Riddle, Adam Brackman, Saba Jawda, Kyler Fields, Whitney Radley, David Shelton and Barbara Davis.
Margaret Sche, left, and Saba Jawda at the Access Contemporary party.
Richard Flowers is survived by his husband Angel Rios.Courtesy of Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl