Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1162040
OBSESSIONS. DECORATION. SALIENT FACTS. 22 "E xclusively for Everyone" is the new mantra for Public Art of the University o f H o u s t o n System (PAUHS), coined to coincide with its milestone 50th anniversary as one of the most significant university collections in the country. What's a half- century without a fitting fête to mark the occasion. Don't expect a conformist black-tie gala — this is the Houston art world, after all. Instead, on Wednesday, October 23, 6:30 pm, UH curates "On Site: 50 Years of Public Art of the University of Houston," celebrating and benefiting PAUHS. The sylvan venue is Wilhemina's Grove, which connects Blaffer Art Museum, Moores Opera House, Lyndall Finley Wortham Theatre, and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts. Three power women chair: Beth Madison, Judy Nyquist, and Beth Robertson. The evening honors an MFAH Core Fellow, two-time Whitney Biennial artist Houston-based Trenton Doyle Hancock, whose epic 30-by-36-foot wall installation LEGENDS makes an impact at UH's downtown campus. The evening begins with cocktails and a strolling supper under the stars surrounded by art, music and dance by UH students, and a showcase of the new Temporary Public Art Program. Dress in artful attire, with sensational sneakers; PaperCity is media sponsor. Tickets from $500; contact Ellie Francisco, 866.366.5274, ext. 101; ellie@franciscoandco.com. Catherine D. Anspon T alk about a curtain call — and coming full circle. In 1967, Houston Ballet staged the classic ballet Giselle as its first production, celebrating the opening of Jones Hall. This fall, the same work inaugurates the company's 50th season. Be there opening night for a new Giselle, devised by artistic director Stanton Welch (which had its own world premiere in 2016). Tickets for Opening Night's Onstage Dinner include the performance of this ethereal story of love, loss, and redemption; wine and bites during intermission; and a seated dinner Jackson and Company, with ballet stars and friends. Richard Flowers crafts the lavish floral tribute to the luminous honoree, Lynn Wyatt — long-time Houston Ballet trustee, underwriter of Welch's Giselle premiere, and generous patron who saved the day by funding a portable sprung floor for the dancers post Harvey to allow the show to go on in temporary spaces. Jesse H. Jones II serves as this historic evening's chair; PaperCity is media sponsor. Tickets from $800, tables from $7,500; contact Devon Antonetti at 713.874.5448. Catherine D. Anspon F or nearly a decade, the Texas Contemporary Art Fair has defined fall in Houston for the gallery and museum set. Next month, the fair returns to George R. Brown Convention Center for edition eight. This time, the voice of design is amplified via exhibiting dealers Haas Contemporary (unrelated to Haas Brothers, but home gallery for RETNA), Carol Piper Rugs, and the global Black Artists + Designers Guild. Gallerists to check out include Eternity Gallery (bringing on Mr. Brainwash); iconic Spanierman Modern; K. Imperial Fine Art, presenting the intricate, cut paper mandalas of Tahiti Pehrson; newly minted Cothren Contemporary, curating a booth of San Antonio notables; and Axiom Contemporary showing the California cool of pointillist Tom Adair. Opening Night Thursday, October 10, 6 to 7 pm, Benefit Preview supports Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (tickets $100); 7 pm VIP Party for VIP Pass holders. Fair days, Friday through Sunday, October 11 through 13; day pass $25, multi -day $35. Information and tickets, txcontemporary. com. Catherine D. Anspon LUMINOUS LYNN HONORED: GISELLE'S TRIUMPHANT RETURN A PARTY FOR PUBLIC ART: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON'S EVENING IN THE GROVE TEXAS CONTEMPORARY, TAKE EIGHT Richard Flowers crafts the lavish floral tribute to the luminous honoree, — long-time Houston Ballet trustee, a portable sprung floor for historic evening's chair; is media sponsor. Tickets from $800, tables Trenton Doyle Hancock's LEGENDS, 2016, at the University of Houston — Downtown COURTESY THE ARTIST AND PAUHS, COLLECTION PAUHS ALL IMAGES COURTESY HOUSTON BALLET Clockwise from above: Lynn Wyatt, Stanton Welch, 2013 Houston Ballet Ball; Lynn Wyatt, 2018 Houston Ballet Ball; Douglas Wyatt, Lynn Wyatt, Harold Farb, circa early 1980s; Princess Margaret, Lynn Wyatt, Kenneth McCombie, undated. Mr. Brainwash's Juxtapose (Red Heart), 2017, at Eternity Gallery, exhibiting Texas Contemporary Art Fair COURTESY THE ARTIST AND ETERNITY GALLERY FULTON DAVENPORT