Creative Mashup

Houston arts organization's gala makes creativity the dress code

Why stick to the same old song and dance when you can Re/Mix the whole affair? Art League Houston turned up the volume on creativity at its sold-out 2026 Re/Mix Gala on October 9 at Thompson Houston, where artistic expression extended into the dress code.

Photo by Nelson Vanegas

Selven O’Keef Jarmon, Rob Whitten, Per Knutås, Jake Margolin, and Jill Whitten.

With Re/Mix and Match attire setting the sartorial tone, gala co-chairs Sarah Beth Wilson and Daisy Perez orchestrated an evening celebrating four cultural changemakers. Jamal Cyrus received the 2026 Texas Artist of the Year distinction, while César A. Martínez earned the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Visual Arts. Art patron Joe Díaz was recognized as the 2026 Texas Patron of the Year, and Surpik Angelini received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Arts Leadership.

Grammy Award-winning musician Kam Franklin played double duty as emcee and entertainer, treating guests to songs from her new solo album, Land of the Neon Sun. In Bloom Inc. handled the floral flourishes, creating and sponsoring the evening’s botanical décor.

Beyond the creative mashups, the gathering supported Art League Houston’s artist-driven exhibitions, arts education programs, and free community initiatives. More than 400 guests attended, helping raise nearly $300,000 to sustain the organization’s almost 80-year commitment to making contemporary art accessible.

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Hats Off

Easton Corbin and Dolly-signed guitar star at Houston nonprofit's Western gala

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Mike Stasney, Easton Corbin, and Carley Stasney.

Boots were made for giving, and Houston’s philanthropic cowboys and cowgirls understood the assignment. Western chic met honky-tonk hospitality as Dec My Room supporters traded their usual gala finery for denim, fringe, and a little country swagger, for the Ninth Annual Kick Up Your Boots for Kids affair.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Mike Stasney, Easton Corbin, and Carley Stasney.

Mother-daughter chairs Anne Carl and Elizabeth Carl wrangled a boot-scootin’ evening featuring country crooner Easton Corbin, who kept the dance floor hopping. Founders Susan Plank and Kendall Plank shared a symbolic changing of the guard as Susan ceremoniously passed her hat to Kendall, the organization’s new leader.

Emcee and auctioneer David Ackel kept paddles flying for coveted experiences, including a helicopter-assisted golf getaway donated by Mike Plank. A Dolly Parton-signed guitar proved twice as nice when bidding prompted an encore offering. Meanwhile, ice bars, a tequila station, cigars, and a Pappy Van Winkle raffle gave guests plenty of reasons to raise a glass.

Community honorees Stacey and Al Lindseth and corporate honoree Northern Trust received their flowers for supporting the nonprofit’s mission of personalizing hospital rooms for young patients.

More than 250 revelers helped raise a record-breaking $410,000. Yeehaw, indeed.

Rounding up the rest of the well-heeled herd were Carley and Mike Stasney, Grace and Steven Ward, Laurie and Bret Sanders, Courtney and Zac Harmon, Nina and Clint Rand, Tracy and Landon Ehlinger, Patrice and Robert Allinger, Tom Butler, Kerri and Bill Byler, Maria Moncada Alaoui and Omer Alaoui, Kory and Geoff Blum, Matt Brice, Noble Carl, Fabio Cardamuro, Heather Almond, Adrienne Crane, Alicia Smith, Kim and Dan Moody, Dr. Linda Magill, Tammy and Stuart Spence, Wanda Carter, Julia Morales Clark and Matt Clark, Jerry Simon, Jennifer Grosvenor, Katie Tsuru, Tiffany LaRose Kaileh, Denise and Monte Tinkham, Sneha and Nick Merchant, Whitney Kuhn Lawson and Marc Lawson, David Sledge, Antonio Cardamuro, and Ryan Venable.

galas fundraisers dec my room