The Glassell School of Art annual benefit and auction typically takes a distant turn from the buttoned-down persona of its parent, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and Friday night's bash took an even further trek down the road to unconventional creativity with its "Street SmART" theme. Think street entertainers, muralists at work, video travel and road signs galore.
Chairs Leslie and Brad Bucher and Jereann Chaney headlined the casual gathering that began in the sculpture garden with cocktails and beer (this had to be the first time that cans of Bud Light were served at an MFAH event). Entertainment was provided by mimes and acrobats and muralists painting on large canvasses.
The second stop on this road to riches for the Glassell School was inside the building where area artists contributed 76 pieces, 62 of which sold for a total of $86,415. Add that to $208,000 in ticket and table sales. Final destination was the party tent, erected in the parking lot, decorated with shiny road signs in place of table numbers (Kirby Drive, Memorial Drive and the like) and scores of traffic signs suspended overhead.
DJ Sun spun the dance tunes while a GoPro video of a drive through Houston streets played out as a truly moving backdrop to the dinner setting.
Among the 200 guests sitting down for the City Kitchen dinner were Alfred C. Glassell III, Laura Bellows, Kathy and John Orton, Victoria and Marshal Lightman, Nancy and Erik Littlejohn, Karen Bradshaw, Susan and David Fine, John Guess Jr., Cabrina and Steven Owsley, Kelli and Eddy Blanton, Kim and Dan Moody and Wade Wilson.
Madeline Kiley, left, and juggler Matthew Swope, "street entertainers" at the Glassell School "Street SmART" fundraiser.
