PARTY WATCH

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston celebrates 75 years with a jewel-themed party

The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH) rolled out the purple carpet to celebrate their 75th year with the Diamond Anniversary Gala and Art Auction on April 6. Revelers dressed head-to-toe in their best monochrome looks and walked the purple carpet before entering the Brown Foundation Gallery which was bathed in refracting light.

In keeping with the sparkling gemstone theme, over 300 attendees enjoyed clear and reflective decor at the event co-chaired by Anita and Gerald Smith and Leigh and Reggie Smith. Drinks flowed at the silent auction before Kam Franklin of Houston-based band The Suffers invited guests to settle in for dinner.

Contemporary Arts Museum Gala 2024 Kam Franklin and Unique James at the CAMH 75th Anniversary Gala. Photo by Emily Jaschke

CAMH Executive Director Hesse McGraw, the gala's keynote speaker, celebrated the milestone occasion by highlighting some of the most memorable exhibitions and touching on future events at the museum including solo exhibitions by Olivia Erlanger and Theaster Gates. Guests had the opportunity to bid on artwork from notable names including Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Ming Smith, Anni Albers, and Antony Gormley.

Those who weren't ready for the evening to end danced the night away at the "Diamonds in the Sky After Party." DJ Big Reeks of the Waxaholics presided over the after party in the Eleanor and Frank Freed Garden outside the museum. The late night partiers were treated to cocktails by Lalo Tequila and high-end skincare by Buttah.

Contemporary Arts Museum Gala 2024 Attendees at the after party.Photo by Emily Jaschke

Notable attendees include: Mara and Erick Calderon, Johanne Beaulieu Gatto and Joe Gatto, Carrie and Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl, Ruth Dreessen and Tom Van Laan, Siggi and Martellus Bennett, Valerie Cassel Oliver, Katharine Barthelme Frank and Shane Frank, Cece and Mack Fowler, Leslie and Brad Bucher, Mary and Dr. Bernardino Arocha, Marley Lott, Kathy and George Britton, Shawn Roberts, Dillon Kyle and Sam Lasseter, Cindy and David Fitch, Amy and Blair Garrou, and John Roberts.

Photo by Emily Jaschke

Danielle O’Bannon and Booker Morris at the Diamonds in the Sky After Party at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.

Winter Dreamscape

Houston nonprofit toasts 35 years with festive North Pole fundraiser

Photo by Al Torres Photography

Anna Katherine Spencer, Holly Colon, Leah Fourmy, Kellie Brumbaugh, Talbott Shaw, Ashley Boyd, and Blaire Johnson.

If you listened closely, you could almost hear sleigh bells at the Four Seasons Houston, where Trees of Hope transformed a classic ballroom into a wintery dreamscape for its 35th anniversary gala. Themed “Hope Guides the Way – A Journey to the North Pole,” the beloved black-tie affair blended holiday magic with philanthropy, raising $631,000 to benefit the Children’s Critical Care Fund at Star of Hope.

The evening chaired by Lisa Battaglia and Joel Thompson, with support from a roomful of Houston’s big-hearted changemakers, doubled as a tribute to the nonprofit’s Life and Advisory Board Members, those behind-the-scenes elves who’ve powered Trees of Hope’s mission for decades.

Emcee Logan Thomas of Money for the Cause kept the energy high as guests sipped cocktails and sized up the main attraction: A holiday auction packed with eye-catching prizes. Think twinkling Christmas trees curated like runway models, including two donated by CrafTex, alongside baubles from Diamonds Direct, exclusive getaways, and original artwork. Yes, Santa himself made an appearance, lending extra jolly to an evening already brimming with cheer.

“We are honored to support Star of Hope’s Children’s Critical Care Fund and proud to mark 35 years of Trees of Hope making a difference,” said Lisa Barth, Trees of Hope president. That legacy is no small feat. The organization has gifted more than $11.9 million over the years, helping Houston’s most vulnerable children and families find light during dark times.

This year’s proceeds will fund critical programs at Star of Hope, Houston’s longest-standing mission for the homeless, ensuring that kids in crisis have access to stability, support, and a better shot at the future.

Seen on the scene were Kellie and Lee Brumbaugh, Carly West, Brooke Stuckey, Anna Katherine Spencer, Holly Colon, Leah Fourmy, Talbott Shaw, Ashley Boyd, Blaire Johnson, Trisha and Alex Figaro, Dena and Omar Musfy, April and Enrique Cruz, Carissa and Hans Barcus, Adrienne and Michael Suttle, Kory and Geoff Blum, Doug Meikle, Whitney and Andrew Touchstone, Sara Black, DeeDee Marsh, Kelly Boyd, Sara Jane Wilson, Alina Schrom, Donna Grehn, Emily Goolsby, Lesha Elsenbrook, Jo Ann Petersen, Nancy Walker, Andrea Dulany, and Kathrin Yokubaitis.

Photo by Al Torres Photography

Anna Katherine Spencer, Holly Colon, Leah Fourmy, Kellie Brumbaugh, Talbott Shaw, Ashley Boyd, and Blaire Johnson.

fundraisers trees of hope