Big Dollar Gala

Memorial Hermann's out-of-this-world gala brings in $3.5 million for neuroscience research

It seemed to have been written in the stars Saturday night that the Memorial Hermann Foundation gala, "Reach for the Stars," would once again be a blockbuster with mega proceeds topping the mega fun that annually makes this one of the biggest and best fundraisers on the calendar.

Thanks to a generous commitment of $1 million by gala chairs Alice and Keith Mosing, the night's proceeds reached the $3.5 million mark, a milestone in Memorial Hermann gala annals. The applause was appropriately generous in return when Memorial Herman Health System CEO Dan Wolterman announced the gift. That seven-figure commitment was in keeping with a similar donation made previously by the evening's honorees Elizabeth and Gary Petersen, chairman of the Memorial Hermann Foundation board.

Proceeds will benefit Memorial Hermann's Revolutionizing Neuroscience Initiative.

The 1,700 guests partied amid an out-of-this-world decor created by Darryl Murchison, who crafted nine planets to rise from tables on each side of the ballroom and scores of floral solar systems topping other tables. In addition, hundreds of phalaenopsis orchid plants in white and purple soared upward from tabletops.

Honorary chairs Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly were unable to join the party, although Kelly did offer video greetings.

From the moment the doors opened on the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom the Wayne Foster of Beverly Hills troupe began ratcheting up the energy with its high-powered entertainers. By the time dessert was served and the music pulsating, the dance floor quickly filled. The dancing duos included Sue and Lester Smith, Diane Lokey Farb and Mark Sullivan, Cathy and Dr. Gary Brock, Mary and John Eads, Bill King and Bridgette Bottone, Kathy and John Orton and Beverly and Jim Postl.

Among those contributing to the night's success were Memorial Hermann Foundation CEO Ileana Trevino and husband Michael Trevino, State Rep. Sarah Davis, Lori Wolterman, Sherry and Jim Smith, Lilly and Thurmon Andress, JoLynn and Gregg Falgout, Sandy and Dr. Barney Barrett, Gracie and Bob Cavnar, Anne Brent, Brenda Love and Ed Jones and Philamena and Arthur Baird.

Keith and Alice Mosing, left, with Elizabeth and Gary Petersen at the Memorial Hermann Circle of Life gala.

Memorial Hermann Gala Houston May 2013 Keith Mosing and Alice Mosing, left, with honorees Elizabeth Petersen and Gary Petersen

Photo by © Gary Fountain

Keith and Alice Mosing, left, with Elizabeth and Gary Petersen at the Memorial Hermann Circle of Life gala.

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Party Watch

Contemporary Western art shines at Galveston museum fundraiser

Photo by Jacob McCready

Ryan Horton, Meredith Peebles, Taylor Crowder, Kara Przybyl McIver, and David McIver.

What: Art Untamed, A Night of Contemporary Western Art

Photo by Jacob McCready

Ryan Horton, Meredith Peebles, Taylor Crowder, Kara Przybyl McIver, and David McIver.

Where: The Lancaster Hotel

The Scoop: With cowboy boots traded for cocktail attire, more than 115 artists and art lovers moseyed into downtown for Art Untamed, an evening that lassoed the spirit of the West with a modern twist.

Now in its fourth year, the fundraiser benefiting The Bryan Museum was steered by a dedicated committee including Christine Glover, Linda and Bill Reeves, and Guylene and Jay Lendrum. The event spotlighted 32 Southwestern artists featured in the Visions of the West exhibit.

Guests sipped and mingled during cocktail hour, sizing up 73 pieces ranging from luminous landscapes to storytelling textiles. The live auction, led by crowd-favorite auctioneer Randolph Holford, delivered a flurry of paddles in the air, especially for Bob Stuth-Wade’s radiant Santiago Peak from Chalk Draw, Nathaniel Garza’s moody Three Reasons, and Echo Ukrainetz’s intricate batik honoring cowgirl trailblazer Lucy Mulhall.

The weekend kicked off at The Lancaster Hotel, where partner Jay Shinn hosted artists and VIPs at a reception in the historic property set to celebrate its centennial next year. During the festivities, museum founder JP Bryan captured the mood best.

“A collection is an expression of a soul; it speaks to where our heart is,” he said. “That is why the museum was founded, to share the important story of Texas and the American West through a world-class collection, outstanding exhibitions, and educational programming.”

The evening raised nearly $100,000 to support educational programming and outreach at The Bryan Museum.

Who: Lori Leal Wedemeyer and Barkley Wedemeyer, Sassy Stanton, Bill Pinckard, Mike Glover, Shara Fryer, Barry Silverman, Frank Rynd, Deborah and Monte Stavis, Kelly and Luis Zúñiga, Kara Przybyl McIver and David McIver, Dianne Reynolds, Stephanie and Brent Kindle, Penny and Townes Pressler, Linda and Jerry Dickson, Bob Leibrock, Paulina Padilla, Nocona Burgess, Vickie McMillan-Hayes, Ricardo Robles, and Bob Stuth-Wade.

museums fundraisers bryan museum visual-art