Shelby's Social Diary

Big art guns bring out the heavy artillery: Shooting clays for MFAH is a uniqueblast

Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Shooters enjoy the wide array of vendor booths.
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill
Photo by Jenny Antill

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston continued its tradition Saturday of taking art world interests out into the real world with its Fine Art of Shooting: A Sporting Clays Invitational at the Greater Houston Gun Club.

Close to 150 shooters and another 50 spectators turned out in their finest hunting attire for the morning-through-lunch outing that was as much about high style as about competitive clays. Some in this group were so well-turned out that they might have been shooting grouse on the moors of Scotland. Well, almost.

The shooting stations opened at 9 a.m. (earphones on!) and the clays were pulled until the final shots were fired. Following the lunch, catered by the swank Coronado Club, the winners were presented their trophies. In the Hunter Competition, the Master Class Champion was awarded to Chris Elliott and the Master Class Runner-Up was awarded to Reed Morian. In the Sporting Clays Competition, the Master Class Champion was awarded to Willie Coffey and the Master Class Runner-Up was awarded to Mike Sellers.

Some in this group were so well-turned out that they might have been shooting grouse on the moors of Scotland.

Beyond the shooting competition, there was plenty of shopping to be done at the tempting displays put on by various vendors ranging from Blixt & Co. (driven shooting excursion) to Pickard & Boots Co. (custom boots) to Dos Carolinas (custom guayaberas).

As guests were encouraged to bring their pooches along, there was even a doggie competition. Jana and Scotty Arnoldy's Grace Kelly won honors for Best Smile while honors for Most Involved went to Lilly Belle, belonging to the event chairs Brenda Love and Ed Jones.

The VIP crowd included MFAH director Gary Tinterow, Gaye and John Kelsey, Cornelia and Meredith Long, Butch Mach, Tevia McLaren, Laurie Morian and Kim and Dan Tutcher and Nigel Beaumont, president of London-based James Purdy & Sons, world-renowned makers of English-style shotguns and sporting firearms.

The event raised $152,000.

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Party Watch

Distinguished Houston gents gather for Brioni’s grand opening

What: Brioni Grand Opening with Men of Distinction

Where: Brioni Boutique in River Oaks District

The scoop: Italian menswear designer Brioni celebrated the grand opening of its Houston flagship at River Oaks District with a luxurious evening that merged high fashion with philanthropy. The November 7 event featured a private preview of Brioni's Bespoke Trunk Show, spotlighting the brand’s tailored craftsmanship. Men of Distinction, a nonprofit honoring Houston's community leaders, took the opportunity to recognize its esteemed researchers and honorees, celebrating milestones in raising funds for critical medical research at Texas Medical Center.

Dr. Michael A. Belfort of Texas Children’s Hospital delivered remarks that highlighted Men of Distinction's contributions to pioneering medical procedures, such as life-changing surgeries for spina bifida. Guests enjoyed Italian prosecco, old-fashioned cocktails, and tastings from The Macallan’s 12- and 15-year single malts, along with Italian bites by Bari Ristorante. Attendees left with luxurious parting gifts, including a Brioni crocodile leather keychain and a spa experience at The Post Oak Hotel.

Photo by Gary Fountain

A.J. Williams with Andi and Ballard Infante.

Who: Jesse Tudor, Gary Peterson, Mike Linn and Carol Linn, Keith Mosing and Alice Mosing, David Wurthrich, Tom Perich and Debra Perich, Dancie Ware and Jim Ware, John Serpe, Molly Crownover, Kevin Gilliard and Frank Billingsley, Tracy Dieterich, Robert Bernard, A.J. Williams, and Andi and Ballard Infante.

brioni river oaks district fundraisers men of distinction