You really should have been at the Colton & Farb Gallery on Monday night when Carolyn Farb and Deborah Colton threw open the doors in celebration of the current photography exhibition, Beautiful, featuring images of Dominic Walsh Dance Theater members as interpreted by photographer Jay Rusovich. The crowd was a stunning mix of lithe dancers, dance fans and robust collectors.

More than 100 poured in to view the exhibition, curated by Farb, that features the dancers as living artworks in ironic settings and circumstance, designed specifically for them. Walsh collaborated with Rusovich behind the lens that captured dancers Marissa Leigh Gomer, Domenico Luciano, Felicia McBride, Rachel Meyer and Randolph Ward. In case you weren't there, Beautiful is on display until Jan. 29.

In between viewing the photographs and heavy socializing, guests could lavish their taste buds with offerings from Creative Crepes.

On the scene were Anita Garten, Carolyn and Jimmy Robertson, Dr. Roland Maldonado and Joel Bickley, Marie and Alain LeNotre, Mike Plank, Barbara and Dr. Tom Solis, Jennifer Elkins, John Andell, Sylvia Sullivan and Dr. Fred Aguilar.

Launching a new firm

Beau Theriot's 88 Keys was rocking the other night when Joanne Naponic packed the place with 250 family, friends and clients as she celebrated the launch of Joanne Naponic Properties. Naponic, who has been in residential real estate since 1970 and earned her broker's license in 1975 while expecting the second of her four children, finally made the leap into the land of the self-employed.

Theriot showed off the new spot that opened in October, treating guests to light food and drink. Candice Pink serenaded for a bit then 88 Keys resident pianist Greg Giacona entertained throughout the party that extended way beyond the original 4 to 7 p.m. hours.

Supporters included Marcia and Steven Wilson, Mark MacInerney, Natalie Henshilwood, Dawn Sachs, Spring Valley Mayor Mike Andrews and wife Peggy, DeAnne Doane, Debi and Bobby Axelrod, Cindi Rose, Erica Rose and Phyllis Rauls with Richard Kuriger.

Arty party in Austin

Houston canvas talent Hanh Tran is expanding her artistic reach to Austin where Max's Wine Dive is showcasing a 50-piece collection of her oil paintings titled Big Texas. The works, ranging from vast canvasses of longhorn steers to Tran's signature starfish, went up on the walls of Max's Underground, the private event cellar space, with the start of the 82nd legislature and will remain throughout the session.

Our dashing Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst was so taken with the Lone Star-themed artwork that he opted to hold his private inauguration party at Max's Underground after his swearing-in. Further, Dewhurst and wife Tricia will be on hand when Max's and Tran honor members of the legislature with a bash on Feb. 7.

Tricia serves on the board of the Texas Cultural Trust and the Lieutenant Governor will briefly address the party crowd on the importance of public art funding.

Robert Duvall headed this way

Probably the only folks more pleased with Robert Duvall's recent notoriety than the actor himself are Sue and Lester Smith, who signed on to chair the Feb. 23 Texas Children's Cancer Center's seventh annual "Evening With a Legend." Duvall is the headliner and will be interviewed by CBS News' Bob Schieffer. The Smiths love the Texas link as Duvall has said more than once that his role as Augustus "Gus" McCrae in Lonesome Dove was his personal favorite.

Last week, the Oscar-winning actor planted his hands and feet in the cement at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood on the same day that he celebrated his (hard to believe) 80th birthday and roughly 50 years of making films. Not that Duvall needs any more accolades to establish his awesome credibility, but on Saturday, he was honored with the Career Achievement Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

The Smiths are stepping up to the plate in a big way for the fundraiser at the Hilton Americas Houston through their Lester and Sue Smith Foundation, which has committed to match every dollar raised from the event. See details on the event here.

Sight 'ems

Roxann Neumann celebrating her birthday over lunch at La Griglia with Sharon Adams and Nancy Kinder. At a neighboring table, Dancie Ware and Ileana Trevino apparently cooking up some serious business . . .

University of Houston College of Architecture Dean Patricia Oliver dining with friends at Ibiza . . .

Cheryl and Percy Creuzot dining at Mockingbird Bistro.