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.

unspecified

shock and awe

Dark elegance and spooky splendor raise $1.1M for Children’s Museum Houston

When the Children’s Museum Houston threw its annual adult fête on October 26, the Corinthian wasn’t just an event space, it was a full-on haunted playground for the city’s imaginative souls. Nearly 500 attendees — clad in mysterious black lace, horns, feathers, and flowing capes — stepped into a realm where goth and childhood wonder collided with spectacular results.

This year’s “Noir Ball: A Celebration of Haunted Elegance,” chaired by Whitney and Ryan Burns and Allison and Iván Chávez, made no bones about its moody vibe. From the moment partygoers floated in, the eerie ambiance—think chandeliers dripping in ghostly light and roses under glass cages—set the stage.

The masterminds at Bergner and Johnson Design turned the room into a scene from a spellbinding fairytale, where fog floated ominously across a grand fountain, dotted with rose petals and flickering candles. One could practically hear the spirits whisper.

And as any child knows, no Halloween is complete without a little shock and awe. At one point, lightning cracked and thunder rolled through the room. Even the sweet tooth found its haunting hour with Jackson and Co.’s darkly decadent desserts, including cake candles that might just have you second-guessing what’s edible. It was a feast fit for vampires, werewolves, and Houston’s social elite alike.

Adding to the festivities, ‘80s cover band The Spazmatics revived the dance floor with a high-energy, undead-worthy set, pulling every last creature of the night into their spell. With the iconic chandeliers casting an ethereal glow, the floor was alive with revelers reliving their MTV glory days.

Maleficent, Dracula, and Wednesday Addams mingled with the crowd, adding a dash of dark fantasy to the evening’s ambiance while paddle bids flew during the live and silent auctions chaired by Devorah Krieger and Elizabeth McIngvale-Mackey. Highlights included everything from a diamond necklace to a puppy duo courtesy of K-9 Angels Rescue. Guests vied with ghostly fervor for a bangle donated by Zadok Jewelers. After a close battle, Yana Rodilosso emerged triumphant

The evening raised a spine-tingling $1.14 million, the museum’s second-highest tally ever, all to fuel its mission to nurture Houston's young minds.

Among the undead were Alexandra and Alex Cabraie, Antoinette and Julian Duncan, Kathryn and Travis Boeker, Erin Smith, Bethany and Ben Buchanan, Courtney and Bo Hughes, Deanna Altenhoff, Darren Brasher, Stephanie Wilcox, Freddie Minahan, Heather and Mark Teshoian, Iona and Mike Avery, Veronica and John Griffin, Lacey and Matt Goossen, Ashley and Jonathan Sloan, Neil Badlani and Rekha Muddaraj, Cassandra and Ryan Dalton, and Matthew Mackey.

Photo by Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design

Ashley Sloan, Kathryn Boeker, Erin Smith, and Bethany Buchanan.