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34 FROM THIRD WARD WORLD CATHERINE D. ANSPON AND MATTHEW RAMIREZ CONSIDER THE CONCEPT OF SOCIAL SCULPTURE. PHOTOGRAPHY ANTHONY RATHBUN. W hat humbly began as a lineup of shotgun houses in a crumbling part of Houston's Third Ward has evolved into a shining example of urban renewal through art and community. Project Row Houses has achieved national and international rec- ognition as a model for what is possible, so commemorating its quarter-century marker was an achievement, celebrated with a milestone gala at an iconic green space, Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion and Celebration Garden at Hermann Park. Co-chairs Roslyn Bazzelle and Derrick Mitchell set the stage for a fête that began with TSU's jazz quartet, who sound-tracked the cocktail hour and silent auction. Project Row House executive director Eureka Gilkey welcomed guests on a balmy evening under a tented canopy where Third Ward culinary master chef Shakti Baum of Etta's Kitchen served up a soul-flavored seated dinner. Post dinner, a video highlighted PRH's first 25 years. Co-founder/ University of Houston professor Rick Lowe — artist and activist who received a MacArthur Genius Grant for birthing Row Houses — spoke from the podium, relaying the journey from crumbling homes of modest origins in a historic black neighborhood to venues for cutting-edge art installations and the nonprofit's game-changing Young Mothers Residential Program. Mayor Sylvester Turner took to the stage, telling the crowd, "Project Row Houses is not just about these shotgun houses, but the culture and history of our city. My ancestors were in those row houses. Now I stand before you as the mayor of our great city." The evening concluded with a flourish, as partygoers cut a rug on the dance floor to the sounds of DJ duo Soul Control. In lieu of goody bags, each guest received an advance copy of PRH's anni- versary volume, Collective Creative Actions: Project Row Houses at 25, edited by Row Houses' curator and programs director Ryan N. Dennis. RECOGNIZING ROW HOUSES: Board chair Devaron Yates; UH president Renu Khator and husband, Suresh Khator; Judges Vanessa Gilmore and Fredericka Phillips; Council Members Jerry Davis and Amanda K. Edwards; artists including Row Houses' co-founders Jesse Lott, Bert Samples, George Smith, and Floyd Newsum; Sixto Wagan, director of UH's Center for Art and Social Engagement (which collaborates with PRH), who was high bidder on Julie DeVries' Orchid from the silent auction; gallerist Kerry Inman, who acquired George Smith's minimalist lithograph; collectors Anita and Gerald Smith; Yvonne and Rufus Cormier; UH Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center director Karen Farber; Cheryl and Percy Creuzot; Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Elwyn C. Lee; Andrew Speckhard; artists and board members Regina Agu and Bert Bertonaschi; Erin and Adrian Patterson; Emily Todd; Betty and John Pecore; Jo and Jim Furr; Herbert W. Green; John Hoffer with The NHP Foundation, in from Washington, D.C.; Ray Miller with City of Houston Housing Department; Marta and Alan Galicki; Theater District CEO Kathryn McNiel; and Sheila Heimbinder. to the PROJECT ROW HOUSES' 25TH ANNIVERSARY GALA Amanda K. Edwards, Rick Lowe, Mayor Sylvester Turner Jerry Davis & Rachel Andress Davis Marsha & Charlie Parker Chris & Amanda Akbari Ryan N. Dennis Eureka Gilkey Edwin Harrison Jr. & Kishanda Harrison Chairs Derrick Mitchell & Roslyn Bazzelle Nikki & Eric Coleman Veta Byrd-Perez & David Perez Ken & Pam Huewitt Ikem Arisukwu & Johnte Archer Yvonne & Rufus Cormier Heidi & Greg Armstrong