Artistically inclined: City ArtWorks and Fleming's partner for final week of charitable deals

Fleming's Month of Giving is coming to a close, but not before its final charity partner gets a little love in this last week of October. Through Nov. 4, diners at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in River Oaks can support Houston's very own City ArtWorks as part of a month-long charitable celebration of the restaurant's 10th anniversary.

Begun in 1982 as a supplement to the declining level of art education in public schools, City ArtWorks has blossomed over the years to include many levels of art education and therapy, serving over 3,000 children annually. While the programs have broadened, the underlying mission remains the same: "Fostering skill development and self-expression through creative programming, collaborations, and exhibitions."

Through hands-on experiences like in-studio classes, workshops, after school programs, summer camps and more, City ArtWorks reaches a wide range of children. Through a partnership with Texas Children's Hospital, City ArtWorks is able to provide specialized instruction to the young patients there, teaching at their bedsides and inside clinics.

This recently added program works hand in hand with TCH's "Art in Medicine," and has become a much-needed resource for the hospital in the last three years. Texas Children's Arts in Medicine coordinator, Carol Herron, recently commented that they are "able to find funding to continue this valuable program" because "it does make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families."

Funding for all the community enriching work that City ArtWorks provides for Houston can be found at Fleming's River Oaks this week and "donations" couldn't be tastier. Through a special fall prix fixe menu, guests can dine on three courses and give to City ArtWorks simultaneously because a portion of proceeds from each menu goes directly to the organization.

Also raising funds for the charity will be a mixer with appetizers and art at Fleming's on Nov. 8 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. This special gathering helps commemorate yet another anniversary — this time for City ArtWorks, which turned 30 this year. Tickets can be bought by calling 713-681-1331.

In addition to all the special events and the week of donations to City ArtWorks, students enrolled in the "Art After School" program have an opportunity to win a very special gift from Fleming's River Oaks. Learning about Mexican artist Maria Izquierdo's Naturaleza Viva painting, the students were asked to create their own culinary masterpieces in art form, entering their paintings into a contest in which one budding artist will win dinner for eight.