What: A colorful two-day art auction that benefited the Avenue Community Development Corp. in its quest to revitalize Washington Avenue and Near Northside neighborhoods with affordable housing.
Where: Winter Street Studios
The 411: The works of more than 250 local artists dotted the walls of the urban warehouse for the 17th annual "Art on the Avenue" fundraiser. The auction kicked off with a preview party chaired by Houston-based artist Nicola Parente on Thursday. The collection was curated by Rice Gallery's Kimberly Davenport, who selected a handful of prize winners that included Mark Masterson for his painting Royal Fire Brigade and Monica Vidal for Falling Hive Study with Pendants. Earning honorable mentions were Holly Hoyt Miscovich's It Happened So Fast and Rita Jordan's A Hero's House.
A performance by the Houston VIP Poetry Slam Team, bites by Cuchara, Beavers, Café Brussels and Jenni's Noodle House and potations mixed with Izkali tequila added to the party ambiance.
A large crowd gathered Saturday night for the main event, with entertainment by Texas Johnny Boy and a buffet provided by El Patio and Georgia's Market Downtown. There was much to celebrate as "Art on the Avenue" raised $200,000, a 15 percent increase from last year's event.
Who: Mayor Annise Parker, Amegy Bank president Steve Stephens and wife Anne-Laure, Judge Steve Kirkland, Avenue CDC executive director Mary Lawler , developer Jon Deal, Tammi Merrick and Chad Neal.
Steve Stephens and Anne-Laure Stephens, from left, Mary Lawler and Peter Kelly at Art on the Avenue.
