Spacetaker, you had us on your wacky save-the-date announcement. Houston's art crowd is down with the Apocalypto gala set for Saturday at Winter Street Studios.

Right now, Spacetaker executive director Jenni Rebecca Stephenson has bigger decisions than what she's going to wear.

After Stephenson donned a gopher get-up for the Be the Ball Caddyshack-themed Fresh Arts/Glasstire gala, people expect a lot from the energetic maven. "I'm focused on getting our thunderdome installed," Stephenson tells CultureMap. "Really, I am. Metal artist Geoffrey Mann is making our VIP room."

"With the economy in free fall, changes at Spacetaker, and a climate of political mayhem, the theme seemed perfect," Stephenson continues.

Spacetaker galas are arts extravaganzas, and with a Mad Max theme, expect some serious weirdness. "We are all about commissioning new work and showcasing Houston's artists at our galas," she says. The Mad Max theme was inspired by the 002's Alex Rosa.

Founded in 2001 by the charismatic photographer David A. Brown, Spacetaker has always held hipster status among the arteratti. The heavily-tattooed and better-haired-than-Rick- Perry renegade has moved on to become director of communications and special projects at University of Houston's Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts.

Brown will continue to serve on the board. "Never has Spacetaker's mission been more succinct," says Brown, who will be honored at the gala. "We have a clear and transparent mission, to serve artists." Brown's FotoFest show, "Trying to Find my Way," is now at Darke Gallery

In keeping with the all-about-art vibe, the evening boasts a list of Houston's must-see performers, including Psophonia Dance Company doing a Winter Street-specific dance, the long form improv wonks known as Scatter, Amy Ell's second and racier dance company Vaultease (think burlesque meets aerial dance plus pole), Divisi Strings' riff on Tina Turner's Mad Max theme song, and the hard to define honky tonkers Robert Ellis and The Boys.

"We are rebranding the gala as a showcase," Stephenson says.

Rebranding Spacetaker

It's no wonder that it's an art-filled gala as supporting artists define Spacetaker's mission. And it all happens at the Artist Resource Center (ARC). "It's somewhere between a clubhouse and a sanctuary," Brown says.

After unveiling a handy new Web site in October, they are focused on five main projects: Culture Guide, professional development workshops, an artists registry, Speakeasy talks that combine visual, literary and performing artists and a Winter Holiday Market (WHAM).

The new system allows artists to update their own events and pages. Although Spacetaker is a membership organization, you do not be need to be a member to update your events.

Spacetaker gets it name from a proposed art exhibit originally conceived by Brown, Will Bentson and Paul Kremer for a 1999 Project Row Houses show. It never materialized, but the name stuck.

So when Brown first launched his Web site, featuring a calendar with up-to-the-minute news on Houston's burgeoning art scene and a house for artists' portfolios, he was all set. After years of being the slickest calendar and artists registry in town, it was time to expand and refocus toward giving tools artists need to survive.

Last year, they offered 24 workshops covering everything from financial literacy, copyright laws and the ever-popular marketing for artists. "Our goal is to provide artists with actionable items, a game plan and a check list specific to each art form," Stephenson says. "Most workshops are too generic and overwhelming. We try to be practical and on the ground."

Speakeasies combine artists talking about their work and some good beer. Mixing genres is also a great way for artists to get out of their own genre caves and get to know each other.

"It's an exchange, not a lecture," Stephenson says. "There's zero intimidation. We aim for a warm, friendly vibe where people can come and go, enjoy some conversation and a drink."

A curated calendar still comes out, helping us figure out where to go when and why. It all circles back to art.

Signs of expansion are everywhere, and this fall they partner with Fresh Arts in presenting their first Sugar Land arts festival. Plans are also under way for more exhibitions in the ARC and partnerships with like-minded organizations.

"We look forward to working with Houston Arts Alliance to provide a comprehensive list of art spaces," Stephenson says.

Because Spacetaker was started by an artist, things are a little zanier and more artful than the usual arts institution. Stephenson, a singer/actor who has been frequently seen on Houston stages, is planning an Apocalypto of artful proportions.

The question remains: Will art action heros Brown and Stephenson be dressed as Mel and Tina?