Anyone with anything less than a serious working knowledge of the contemporary art world might have felt rather out of place at Triniti Monday night when scores of sophisticates gathered to chew over the prospects for next fall's Texas Contemporary Art Fair.
Managing partners Max Fishko and Jeffrey Wainhause jetted in from New York to thank returning galleries for their support and to introduce high-profile newcomers such as Barbara Davis. The consensus on this night was that the powerful collection of galleries participating is helping position the third annual show as one of the country's top stops for contemporary collectors, reason enough for the duo from New York-based artMRKT Productions to pop in.
The fair continues to grow as a valuable introduction not only to the galleries involved but also to Houston itself and its rich cultural offerings. As Inman Gallery's Kerry Inman pointed out, the fair brings in dealers from as far away as Japan and visitors from around the country.
Just as art was on the table for discussion so were the artful creations of Triniti chef Ryan Hildebrand. Savoring both the art talk and the menu samplings were guests including Judy Nyquist, Michael Landrum and Pepper Paratore, Lea Weingarten, William Middleton, Lisa and Russell Sherrill, Karen Farber, David Shelton, Jessica Phifer and Contemporary Arts Museum Houston director Bill Arning. CAMH is beneficiary of the opening night party on Oct. 10.
Lea Weingarten, from left, Clint Willour and Julie Farr at the Texas Contemporary Art Fair gathering.
