The creative class convened within the halls of the North Boulevard Colton & Farb Gallery on Wednesday evening for the opening of the exhibition, Mixing the Medium. The wintery mixer was hosted by Contemporary Arts Museum Houston startup art patrons group, The Studio.

The show on view is the curatorial creation of The Studio co-chairs Philip Beck and Philip Berry. Their emphasis is on local artists on the way up — such Colton & Farb-repped talents (many in attendance at the fête) as Katy Anderson and Patrick Medrano, Roberto Del Rio, Paul Horn, Michael Meazell, Angelbert Metoyer and Mary Ann Strandell. Philip² have curated an exhibition that takes a critical eye to pop culture and the study of the subconscious.

"We wanted to find artists that touched on edgier issues that we thought would be culturally relevant to those interested in The Studio group," Berry tells CultureMap. The YHAs (Young Houston Artists) on view relate to The Studio's raison d'être: provide a forum for enhancing art literacy to a diverse audience. "We want to encourage people to get involved in contemporary art, whether through collecting, volunteering or creating on their own terms," Berry says.

Mixing the Medium derives its name from the broad spectrum of materials used by the artists on view.

"Art isn't what it traditionally used to be," Berry says. "In the show you'll see not only painting, but also assemblage, video and sound pieces and works that are digitally fabricated."

Houston's next generation of collectors savored the visual feast while sipping drinks provided by Hudson Ferus Vodka and Republic Tequila. Seen galavanting in the galleries were The Studio steering committee members Caroline Starry LeBlanc, CTRL Gallery maestro Bryan Miller and CultureMap's own Nic Philips.

Mixing the Medium is on view through March 5.