Hordes of revelers stormed the George R. Brown Thursday night for one of the biggest art parties Houston has seen this fall — opening night at the third annual Texas Contemporary Art Fair.
The evening began with a 90-minute preview session designed for the most serious of collectors, all hoping to get first dibs on upwards of 70 galleries showcasing emerging and established contemporary artists from around the globe.
Proceeds from the early-bird event went to the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston to help the popular instruction maintain its free admission and community outreach efforts. The guaranteed minimum $25,000 donation sure put CAMH director Bill Arning and partner Mark McCray in good moods as they made their way through the crowds.
Fair organizers Max Fishko and Jeffery Wainhause spent the grand opening party tying up any loose ends as local gallerists like Barbara Davis, David Hardaker, Fredericka Hunter, Arturo Palacios, David Shelton and Anya Tish opened their booths for a busy three-and-a-half day run.
Spotted among the throngs of scenesters were MFAH director Gary Tinterow and Christopher Gardner, Susie Criner, Judy Nyquist, Houston Arts Alliance president Jonathan Glus and Alton LaDay, the Blaffer Art Museum's Matt Johns and Claudia Schmuckli, Lea Weingarten, Jessica Phifer of Christie's, Galveston Art Center director Clint Willour, Houston artists Shane Tolbert and Debra Barrera, and MaRS architects Kelie Mayfield and Erick Ragni.
The 2013 Texas Contemporary Art Fair runs daily through Sunday at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Visit the fair's website for more details.
Jonathan Glus, left, and Alton LaDay at the Texas Contemporary Art Fair VIP opening party.
