Shelby's Social Diary

Painting Houston's trees blue: Striking project to touch on last year'sdevastating drought

Look for something similar to Konstantine Dimopoulos' The Blue Trees (2006,Melbourne, Australia) to appear in Houston, compliments of Houston ArtsAlliance.
Kondimopoulos.com

Blue skies, blue moon, the Blues Brothers — now think blue trees, as in Australian artist Konstantin Dimopoulos' social art installations that have attracted attention internationally and are soon to be in Houston.

As this project of the Houston Arts Alliance gains momentum, the artist, who will introduce Blue Trees locally, was celebrated in the art-filled home of Judy and Scott Nyquist.

The vibrant coloring is said to symbolize the spirituality of the trees and their role as lungs of the planet.

With community volunteer help, Dimopoulos paints a spectrum of trees (trunks and branches) in electric blue, a biologically-safe pigmented water that eventually fades over time with trees returning to their natural state. The vibrant coloring is said to symbolize the spirituality of the trees and their role as lungs of the planet.

Initial Houston plans are for the planting and painting of saplings in a nod to the devastating loss of trees due to last year's drought. The exhibition is expected to drive discussion on climate change and its environmental impact. The installation is still very much a work in progress with Dimopoulos in town to review possible sites.

Among those tuning in on the artist's concept was a heavy-hitter group of civic leaders, collectors and Hermann Park Conservancy leadership including Ann Kennedy, Divya and Chris Brown, Marc Melcher, Lea Weingarten, Brad Bucher, Doreen Stoller, Michael Cordua, Leigh Smith, Minnette Boesel, Karen and Byron Hood, Jereann Chaney, Sarah Whiting and Ron Witte and Houston Arts Alliance CEO Jonathon Glus and partner Alton LaDay.

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Vegas Vibes

A winning night at the JCC scholarship ball hits jackpot for Houston kids

Photo by Mark Katz Photography

Rikki Veksler, Arin Freedman, Dena Magelssen, Rozanna Chrapot, and Lisa Robbins.

The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center rolled the dice and came up seven at its 36th Annual Children’s Scholarship Ball and the Westin Galleria Houston. With Lizzy Kamkahgi at the helm as ball chair, alongside auction co-chairs Arin and Henry Freedman and program chair Jodi Rubenstein, the evening shattered expectations while supporting the Irvin Kaplan Children’s Scholarship Fund.

The night honored Joe Kaplan, son of the fund’s founder Irvin Kaplan, and Murray Kalmin for their enduring commitment to Houston’s children and families. The fund’s mission? Providing access to early childhood education and camp programs for families who might otherwise be left on the sidelines.

Beneficiaries include the Bertha Alyce Early Childhood Academy, Ellen Boniuk Early Childhood School, Sherry Merfish Infant Care Program, Karol Musher STARS Early Childhood Intervention Program, and J Camps.

More than 550 guests stepped into the scene, greeted by a lounge singer crooning in the background, an Elvis impersonator working the room, and a magician adding a little sleight-of-hand intrigue to the cocktail hour. Showgirls shimmered through the crowd as attendees browsed over 200 auction items.

The formal program opened with a heart-tugging video featuring the J’s preschoolers alongside CEO Larry Skolnick. One of the evening’s most memorable moments came courtesy of teenager Ella Bibi, whose rendition of “You Have Yourself” brought the room to a hush.

The ball drew more than 550 attendees and raised more than $1 million.

Photo by Mark Katz Photography

Rikki Veksler, Arin Freedman, Dena Magelssen, Rozanna Chrapot, and Lisa Robbins.

fundraisers jewish community center jcc