It's never too early to celebrate an artistic coup, so no one was surprised when the invitations went out for last week's social announcing the March 2012 exhibition of Ai Weiwei's Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads that will grace the oak-shrouded grounds of Hermann Park.

The Houston Arts Alliance hosted with Jereann Chaney, whoopened the doors of her Memorial area home to welcome heavy-hitters from local arts and Asian communities. While there was an excitement about the upcoming exhibition, there was a poignancy to the gathering among those who were aware that Weiwei, a world-renowned artist, was arrested in April by the Chinese government for political dissent. In mid-May, he was allowed to briefly see his wife.

The exhibition continues HAA's tradition of bringing in temporary art exhibitions such as the collection of seven James Surls sculptures that were on display at the Rice University campus last spring. HAA is also currently working with the Buffalo Bayou Partnership on a program with artist Mark Dionfor an exhibition of his outdoor installations.

Big names in the crowd included HAA board chairman Marshal Lightman, HAA CEO Jonathon Glus, Civic Art Committee and HAA board member Judy Nyquist, City Councilman Oliver Pennington and wife Beverly, Asia Society's Martha Blackwelder, the mayor's assistant of cultural affairs Minnette Boesel, Hermann Park Conservancy's Doreen Stoller, Randall Jamail, Gordon Quan, Nancy Allen, Susie Criner, Sissy Kemper and many more notables.

A special honor

Patsy and Greg Fourticq might have departed Houston over the weekend for their summer home in Colorado Springs, but they still have business in H-town. The board of the Society for the Performing Arts has selected Patsy as recipient of the Ann Sakowitz Performing Arts Advocate Award, to be presented at the SPA's fall luncheon set for Oct. 26 on stage at Jones Hall. The award was created in memory of the late Ann Sakowitz's dedication to the performing arts in Houston and her long-term commitment to SPA.

The deal was sealed over lunch last week when SPA executive director June Christensen and development director Priscilla Larson presented the prospect to Patsy over lunch.

Karen Pulaski Tyrell is chairing the annual fundraiser and Amy Chua, author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother will be guest speaker.

Sight 'ems

Houston Chronicle columnist Leon Hale celebrating his 90th birthday at Brennan's where 60 or so Houston Chronicle and former Houston Post colleagues saluted the popular columnist. Chronicle honchos Jack Sweeney and Jeff Cohen welcomed guests that included former Mayor Bob Lanier and Port Commissioner Elyse Lanier, former Mayor Bill White and author Andrea White, former Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby, The Menil Collection's Karl Kilian andretired Chronicleeditor Jack Loftis . . .

Native Houstonian Fred Torres, proprietor of Fred Torres Collaborations in New York, back in town to visit family and to view The Menil Collection'sUpside Down: Arctic Realities exhibition and to shop for a Houston pied-a-terre. The dashing young art world figure was en route to Hong Kong for the David LaChapelle unveiling . . .

Rebekah Johnson and Tim Moloney checking out the Saturday night action at Brasserie 19 where they spotted fellow diners Celina and Jason Stabell, William Betts and Kara Rockefeller, Natacha LaFrancesca and Sarah Bray with Tara Simon in from Kansas City.