A hip and happening crowd of artists, art-aficionados, and pretty party people filled the Museum of Fine Arts Cullinan Hall for the Glassell School of Art’s Benefit and Silent Auction. This year’s theme, Back to the Future, was chosen as a tribute to past students with a nod to the Glassell’s future home, an 80,000-square-foot building designed by Steven Holl Architects slated for completion in early 2018.
A sleek stainless steel DeLorean sports car with its gull-wing doors flung wide open was parked at the museum’s historic Main Street entrance, providing a fitting photo-op for arriving guests. The 1980s-era auto was featured in the film Back to the Future as a tricked-out time machine.
Inside the soaring gallery space more than 240 partygoers chatted, nibbled on tasty tidbits, and perused an impressive art collection submitted for the silent auction by local and national artists. An abundance of iPads stationed strategically throughout the building made bidding a breeze while the party band The Swatchmen delivered an ‘80s-inspired beat amid the buzz of lively cocktail conversation.
During the buffet dinner, catered by City Kitchen, Glassell director Joe Havel expressed excitement about hosting next year’s fundraiser in the new building. Whimsical party favors, including fuzzy snap bracelets, mini Rubik’s cubes, and neon sunglasses, were passed around on clear lucite trays as the band picked up the pace and the dance floor swelled with partygoers.
On the scene were Claire and Doug Ankenman, Karen Bradshaw, Leslie and Brad Bucher, Bettie Cartwright, Johanna Donson, Alfred C. Glassell, III, Sam Gorman, Gwen and John McCauley, Nancy Powell Moore, Judy and Scott Nyquist, Kathy and John Orton, Chris Goins and Josh Pazda, and Maria Inez Sicardi.
Roberta March, Debra DeSaulniers.
Wally Funk became a hometown hero in Grapevine. Facebook/Wally Funk's Space for Race 
Wally Funk in her '20s as a flight instructor. Facebook/Wally Funk's Space for Race 