The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH) rolled out the purple carpet to celebrate their 75th year with the Diamond Anniversary Gala and Art Auction on April 6. Revelers dressed head-to-toe in their best monochrome looks and walked the purple carpet before entering the Brown Foundation Gallery which was bathed in refracting light.
In keeping with the sparkling gemstone theme, over 300 attendees enjoyed clear and reflective decor at the event co-chaired by Anita and Gerald Smith and Leigh and Reggie Smith. Drinks flowed at the silent auction before Kam Franklin of Houston-based band The Suffers invited guests to settle in for dinner.
Kam Franklin and Unique James at the CAMH 75th Anniversary Gala. Photo by Emily Jaschke
CAMH Executive Director Hesse McGraw, the gala's keynote speaker, celebrated the milestone occasion by highlighting some of the most memorable exhibitions and touching on future events at the museum including solo exhibitions by Olivia Erlanger and Theaster Gates. Guests had the opportunity to bid on artwork from notable names including Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Ming Smith, Anni Albers, and Antony Gormley.
Those who weren't ready for the evening to end danced the night away at the "Diamonds in the Sky After Party." DJ Big Reeks of the Waxaholics presided over the after party in the Eleanor and Frank Freed Garden outside the museum. The late night partiers were treated to cocktails by Lalo Tequila and high-end skincare by Buttah.
Attendees at the after party.Photo by Emily Jaschke
Notable attendees include: Mara and Erick Calderon, Johanne Beaulieu Gatto and Joe Gatto, Carrie and Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl, Ruth Dreessen and Tom Van Laan, Siggi and Martellus Bennett, Valerie Cassel Oliver, Katharine Barthelme Frank and Shane Frank, Cece and Mack Fowler, Leslie and Brad Bucher, Mary and Dr. Bernardino Arocha, Marley Lott, Kathy and George Britton, Shawn Roberts, Dillon Kyle and Sam Lasseter, Cindy and David Fitch, Amy and Blair Garrou, and John Roberts.