Shelby's Social Diary

Move over, Art Basel? Houston Fine Art Fair launch party brings heavyweight buzzand future talk

Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Hall C at Reliant Center pulsated as the epicenter of H-Town society — in all ofits manifestations.
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012
Photo by © Dave Rossman 2012

Somehow we had the misconception that Thursday night's preview party launch of the Houston Fine Art Fair would in fact be all about the art. And surely that was the intent. But with such a commanding turnout of the city's top rung movers and shakers, the night was as much about social interacting as it was about artful shopping.

No one was complaining, however, as Reliant Center practically buzzed with enthusiasm for the new venue and the expanded selection of artworks. Practically everyone was praising the second annual HFAF, much to the pleasure of Rick Friedman, HFAF president, and to Melissa Grobmyer and Janet Hobby, the MKG Art Management duo who are serving as fair advisors. Interestingly, the excitement was as much for the rich and vast selection of art offered as it was for the boost that this event gives the city.

Discussion in some corners centered on the possibility that Art Basel was losing some of its art world clout due to the relentless emphasis on lavish partying that dilutes its focus.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston director Gary Tinterow and partner Christopher Gardner were among early arrivals as was Joe Havel, director of the MFAH Glassell School, its Core Program beneficiary of preview party ticket proceeds.

Marshal Lightman, last year's president of the Houston Arts Alliance, involved in organization of the first HFAF, and Victoria Lightman, co-curator of this year's Core Factor exhibition highlighting top Core Program alumni, relished the palpable verve. Houston Arts Alliance CEO Jonathon Glus and partner Alton LaDay were among the early arrivals as were University of Houston Architecture Dean Patricia Oliver, former city councilman Peter Brown and collectors Jereann Chaney and Mary and Roy Cullen.

Despite the social push on this particular evening, discussion in some corners centered on the possibility that Art Basel Miami Beach, the country's premier art fair, was losing some of its art world clout due to the relentless emphasis on lavish partying that dilutes the focus of the fair. Hello, Houston with a tighter sensibility. Some see a growing opportunity for H-Town.

The bustling preview party crowd included Bevin and Dan Dubrowski, Mary Haus and Willard Holmes, Ann Duncan, Betty and Stephen Newton, Don Mafridge, Greggory Fourticq, Elena Cockrell, Rania Daniel, Sima Ladjevardian, Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff, Divya Brown, Jennifer Roosth, Yvonne and Scott Zeigler and Jo and Jim Furr.

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Lone Star Legacy

Galveston museum celebrates Jewish pioneers who shaped Texas

Photo by Jacob Power

Salim and Rita Hayek, Amy Gonzales, and Stephen Janes.

More than 400 guests gathered at The Bryan Museum in Galveston to celebrate a chapter of Texas history that’s often overlooked.

Photo by Jacob Power

Salim and Rita Hayek, Amy Gonzales, and Stephen Janes.

The story of the Lone Star State has always been one of arrivals, ambition, and reinvention, and the 2026 Bryan Museum Gala, themed Texas Our Promised Land, paid tribute to the Jewish pioneers whose journeys left an indelible mark.

Chaired by Lily and Charles Foster, B.J. and Buddy Herz, and Joy and Benjamin Warren, the evening honored the legacy of Rabbi Henry Cohen. Serving as honorary chair was Rabbi Peter Kessler, in honor of Rabbi Jimmy Kessler and Shelley Kessler.

Attendees were greeted by an intricate rose backdrop before exploring a series of activations inspired by Jewish pioneers of Texas. Among the highlights was a recreated 1950s-era Sakowitz storefront window featuring one-of-a-kind garments and footwear originally designed by Sakowitz. A pop-up experience featuring life-size panels of Rabbi Cohen offered guests an early look at Port of Promise: Jewish Pioneers of Texas, the museum’s forthcoming exhibition set to debut in November.

Throughout the historic Galveston Orphans Home, which survived the devastating 1900 Storm, guests mingled with members of the gala committee led by Robert Sakowitz and relatives of Rabbi Cohen who traveled from across the country for the occasion.

Auction enthusiasts had plenty to tempt their bidding paddles, including a private museum tour and dinner with museum founder J.P. Bryan, a Texas Constitutional Chair experience, and an adventure aboard Battleship Texas.

The gala raised more than $800,000 to support The Bryan Museum’s education, exhibition, and outreach initiatives.

On the scene were Mary Jon Bryan, Andrea and John Bryan, Ava Leigh and Ross Pellegrin, Melissa Murphy, Guylene and Jay Lendrum, Kate and Jim Lykes, Dancie and Jim Ware, Jolyn and Russell Sheirman, Angela and Craig Brown, Susanne and Gerald Sullivan, Jocelyn and Billy Sullivan, Sarah and Todd Sullivan, Lisette and Tony Brown, Frances Moody Buzbee and Tony Buzbee, Rebecca and Joe Jaworski, Brittany Sakowitz Kushner and Kevin Kushner, Tissy and Rusty Hardin, Jeff and Laurie Bricker, and members of the Cohen family including Henry Frisch, Sarah Frisch, Ruth Dealy, James Dealy, and Lisa Cohen.

bryan museum fundraisers galveston museums