The weather was perfect, the DJ kept the music going and the drinks were flowing at this year’s first CultureMap Social: The Arts Edition presented by Cadillac.
The Annex at Gremillion & Co. Fine Arts was filled with CultureMappers ready to mix and mingle for a great cause. This time around the event was to highlight and support the work of three local nonprofit organizations, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Texas, Casa de Esperanza and Ronald McDonald House.
“It’s all about building relationships, we feel quite fortunate to be able to partner with CultureMap and the other charities and come together to celebrate with other young professionals,” said Kara Moline, president of the Young Friends board for Ronald McDonald House.
Houston graffiti artist GONZO247 also set up shop at the party, where he made artwork that would eventually be donated to the three nonprofit organizations.
More than 220 young Houstonians joined CultureMap to sip wine and beer and snack on light bites provided by The Fish Restaurant and Sushi Bar. Chef Harold Wong prepared an array of "a little bit of everything," putting a new spin on classic appetizers. For those with a sweet tooth, The Fish kept the banana and chocolate cheesecake bites coming. The Corkscrew provided the wine and beers by Budlight, Montejo and Saint Arnold Amber.
The atmosphere was centered on the arts, partygoers browsed through the beautiful artwork of the Gremillion & Co. gallery, and DJ Melodic spun the tunes that maintained the artistic vibe. Guests got cozy in the six Pop Up Cuatro Lounges throughout the venue. In addition to the music and delicious food was popular Houston DIY blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth at a booth showing the crowd how to create wooden Polaroids.
Houston graffiti artist GONZO247 also set up shop at the party, where he made artwork that would eventually be donated to the three nonprofit organizations. Guests contributed their own words of meaning and Gonzo filled in the rest.
The DJ kept the party going into the evening and on their way out guests were gifted with a boxed Crave cupcake, served at the back of a Cadillac that was stationed at the gallery entrance. Keeping the crowd's happy hour thirst slaked were Corksrew, which provided the wines, Bud Light, Montejo and Saint Arnold Amber, which provided the beer.
Filling out the YP party scene were Ali T., Ashton Kaminski and James Glassman, Chad Cossey, Sarah Kline, Pierce Bush, Alyssa Perez, Marcus Stewart, Erica Davis, Drew Karedes, Jacqueline Crea, Marcy de Luna, Adrian Duenas, Marcelo Saenz, Mira Haykal, Dede King, Megan Lesser and Darby McDaniel.
See Shelby Hodge's video account of the party:
Antigone Vastaris, from left, Lori Frees and Cynthia Jones.
