Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1076811
32 SOLID PLATINUM BY CATHERINE D. ANSPON AND MATTHEW RAMIREZ. PHOTOGRAPHY ALEX BARBER, LAURA BURLTON. N ot every bash celebrates seven decades — especially in the realm of contem- porary art, where few institutions have hit the half-century mark. Art League Houston marked 70 years with a plat- inum-themed blowout co-chaired by collectors Duyen and Marc Nguyen and board prez Kristen Perrin, with City Council Member David W. Robinson serving as honorary chair. The soirée at Hotel ZaZa raised a record amount for ALH while celebrating the achievements of three Texas art-world notables: painter Francesca Fuchs (Texas Artist of the Year); sculptor George Smith (Lifetime Achievement in the Visual Arts); and arts champion Jereann Chaney (Patron of the Year). Artist emcees Lisa E. Harris and Emily Peacock set the night in motion, followed by welcoming remarks from ALH director Jennie Ash. The eve wrapped with music by DJ Flash Gordon Parks and the final fierce silent-auction bidding. Top art lots went to the Nguyens, high bidders on works by Johan Barrios, Tsz Kam, Jeffrey Dell, and Bradley Kerl; McKay Otto and Keith Coffee, in from Wimberley, snagging a drawing by honoree George Smith; Lea Weingarten, lucky bidder on the Fuchs painting; Poppi Massey, winning works by Forrest Prince and Selven O'Keef Jarmon; and Tatiana and Craig Massey, acquiring a painting by the late Dick Wray. SOCIAL CANVAS: Gallerists Kerry Inman and Nicole Longnecker who, respec- tively, represent honorees Fuchs and Smith; silent auction talent including David Aylsworth with husband Paul Forsythe of The Menil Bookstore, Debra Barrera with art-dealer husband Jonathan Hopson, Patrick Turk, Christopher Cascio, Sharon Engelstein and Aaron Parazette, Terry Suprean, and Thedra Cullar-Ledford with husband Stephen; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston director Gary Tinterow; past Patrons of the Year Leigh and Reggie Smith; Minnette and Peter Boesel; ALH board members Christian Barker, Susan Quarles, Jamie Aragones, Robert Daniel, Sean P. Marshall, Juan Martinez, Matthew McDonald, Sergio Rojas, and Stephanie Roman; Crystal and Don Owens; The Menil Collection's Thelma Smith; Holland Chaney; Healing Art artist Ronnie Queenan; past Lifetime honoree Jesse Lott; former CAMH director, now gallerist Bill Arning; and Selven O'Keef Jarmon, whose South African bead project will soon transform Art League's striking metal building (stay tuned!) ART LEAGUE HOUSTON 70TH ANNIVERSARY GALA Clint Willour Co-chair trio Duyen & Marc Nguyen, Kristen Perrin Alvia Wardlaw Mark McCray & Bill Arning Ryan N. Dennis, Jesse Lott Craig & Tatiana Massey Gary Tinterow Honoree Francesca Fuchs Honoree George Smith Carolyn Smith Kaneem Smith, Dean Ruck Aaron Parazette & Sharon Engelstein Tara Conley Honoree Jereann Chaney Anais Nguyen, Chloe Nguyen Lauren Nguyen