paw-sitive vibes

Texas country star Pat Green goes to the dogs at $1 million PetSet gala

The tail-wagging festivities at the 2024 Fierce and Fabulous Soirée offered a night filled with country twang, stylish boots, and plenty of heart at the Post Oak Hotel. Held on Friday, September 6, the event celebrated two decades of Houston PetSet's work to combat the city's homeless animal crisis.

Texas country artist Pat Green, known for his love of animals and electric live performances, stirred the crowd with his music before turning auctioneer. His biggest offer? A private concert that had donors barking for more. From tickets to Paris Fashion Week to glam jewelry, partygoers weren’t shy about putting their paws in the air for the sake of four-legged friends.

The lively Deborah Duncan of Great Day Houston brought her signature enthusiasm to the mic as emcee, keeping the energy high. Duncan introduced a pack of honorees — the 20 for 20, a group of dedicated animal welfare champions who’ve been instrumental in Houston PetSet’s efforts. With their help, the organization has made a big dent in reducing the number of homeless animals roaming the streets.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Houston PetSet party without a luxury silent auction. Animal lovers perused the display of designer handbags, fine jewelry, and family experiences. Co-presidents and event co-chairs Tena Lundquist Faust and Tama Lundquist were at the center of the bidding merriment, winning items and celebrating alongside their supporters as the evening came to a close.

The lively throng of 450 animal-lovers carried on throughout the night, raising more than $1 million and hitting all the right notes for the city’s homeless pets. Sponsors included iTouch Diamonds, de Boulle, Par Avion Ltd., Faust Distributing, River Oaks District, and Van Cleef and Arpels.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Jamie and John Sparacino; Sarah Mills.

Roaming the ballroom were Jan Duncan, Sidney Faust, Hershey Grace, Trini Mendenhall Royalty, Karen Winston, Alicia Smith, Courtney Hopson, Jamie and John Sparacino, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Joan Huffman, Tyson Faust, Elsie Eckert, Sandra Smith Cooper, Sippi Khurana, Christine and Mike Wicks, and Dan Faust

fundraisers pat green

Party Watch

Contemporary Western art shines at Galveston museum fundraiser

Photo by Jacob McCready

Ryan Horton, Meredith Peebles, Taylor Crowder, Kara Przybyl McIver, and David McIver.

What: Art Untamed, A Night of Contemporary Western Art

Photo by Jacob McCready

Ryan Horton, Meredith Peebles, Taylor Crowder, Kara Przybyl McIver, and David McIver.

Where: The Lancaster Hotel

The Scoop: With cowboy boots traded for cocktail attire, more than 115 artists and art lovers moseyed into downtown for Art Untamed, an evening that lassoed the spirit of the West with a modern twist.

Now in its fourth year, the fundraiser benefiting The Bryan Museum was steered by a dedicated committee including Christine Glover, Linda and Bill Reeves, and Guylene and Jay Lendrum. The event spotlighted 32 Southwestern artists featured in the Visions of the West exhibit.

Guests sipped and mingled during cocktail hour, sizing up 73 pieces ranging from luminous landscapes to storytelling textiles. The live auction, led by crowd-favorite auctioneer Randolph Holford, delivered a flurry of paddles in the air, especially for Bob Stuth-Wade’s radiant Santiago Peak from Chalk Draw, Nathaniel Garza’s moody Three Reasons, and Echo Ukrainetz’s intricate batik honoring cowgirl trailblazer Lucy Mulhall.

The weekend kicked off at The Lancaster Hotel, where partner Jay Shinn hosted artists and VIPs at a reception in the historic property set to celebrate its centennial next year. During the festivities, museum founder JP Bryan captured the mood best.

“A collection is an expression of a soul; it speaks to where our heart is,” he said. “That is why the museum was founded, to share the important story of Texas and the American West through a world-class collection, outstanding exhibitions, and educational programming.”

The evening raised nearly $100,000 to support educational programming and outreach at The Bryan Museum.

Who: Lori Leal Wedemeyer and Barkley Wedemeyer, Sassy Stanton, Bill Pinckard, Mike Glover, Shara Fryer, Barry Silverman, Frank Rynd, Deborah and Monte Stavis, Kelly and Luis Zúñiga, Kara Przybyl McIver and David McIver, Dianne Reynolds, Stephanie and Brent Kindle, Penny and Townes Pressler, Linda and Jerry Dickson, Bob Leibrock, Paulina Padilla, Nocona Burgess, Vickie McMillan-Hayes, Ricardo Robles, and Bob Stuth-Wade.

museums fundraisers bryan museum visual-art