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[ THE TOP FARE] HOUSTON HEADS TO THE DALLAS ART FAIR, YEAR FOUR THE BEST OF THE BOOTHS, THE HOTTEST ARTISTS, THE PERENNIAL POWER PLAYERS AND WHO ALIGHTED AT THE PREVIEW GALA. PLUS, WHICH GALLERY SOLD OUT HOURS BEFORE OPENING NIGHT. CATHERINE D. ANSPON COVERS THE META CONVERGENCE AND DISCOVERS SOME CHOICE HOUSTON ART SIGHTINGS. PHOTOGRAPHY BRUNO. ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY JASON AND JOHANNA GILMORE. FAN-FAIR: WHY WE WENT TO DALLAS Dufour's Fair stops included a visit to Deborah Colton Gallery, where he scooped up a prized pair of canvases by Houston painter Alfredo Scaroina. A fitting slogan for the weekend's spectacular art feast came from Fair newcomer Charlie James Gallery of L.A.: a loud, blinking neon sign by Steve Lambert that proclaimed Everything You Want, Right Now! We didn't disagree. Dateline Dallas: The buzz was deafening as I stepped from the Cadillac-, BMW- and Benz-jammed valet line at the entrance to Fashion Industry Gallery before plunging into the fray. Yes, this was opening night, the lavish, Basel-worthy Preview Gala for year four of the Dallas Art Fair. And, we're happy to report that Houston art lovers and heavy-hitting art types — collectors, gallerists, artists, museum trustees and the merely curious — were wellrepresented, beginning with the jaw-dropping Goliathscaled balloons by hometown sculptor David Graeve, suspended from the treetops in the alfresco lounge area. I paused to admire the glow from the illuminated booths visible inside, including a pulsing Adela Andea light sculpture in the cafe area and a Jay Shinn geometric wall piece occupying pride of place in Marty Walker's booth. I also glimpsed through the glass the compelling outsider realm of Webb Gallery and was determined to pay a visit. Then I couldn't wait any longer, and rushed into F.I.G. with my fellow Houston travel-mates. In our posse: artist Selven O'Keef Jarmon (whose text piece formed from hundreds of hand-sewn buttons was a standout at Deborah Colton Gallery) and chanteuse, stylist and fashion-show producer (and our driver) Zoe Jackson-Jarra. To the left of the doorway, a giant canvas of a TV dinner by Theo Wujcik, courtesy of Galleri Urbane, was an apt metaphor for the awaiting visual experience: a readymade banquet of virtually unlimited stylistic flavors and fanfare. We immediately encountered the leading men of this Texas-crafted international fair, which has become one of the most scintillating and succinct art convergences in the nation. Served up annually in Dallas, it's the perfect excuse for the ultimate art road trip. Front and center was co-founder John Sughrue, positioned on the high-traffic axis between the main door, the first-floor aisles, a Ruinart Champagne bar and a fleet of waiters bearing fancy Rosewood Mansion canapés. Sughrue quipped that he was the "Walmart greeter of the Dallas Art Fair." Darting downstairs was co-founder Chris Byrne, but before long, both men disappeared, summoned to hobnob with Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. Before he dashed, Sughrue imparted big news from the booth of ballyhooed Brit newcomer Jonathan Viner Gallery: "Sold out since two o'clock this afternoon," he lamented about the no-longer-available abstract paintings executed by Dan Rees on prosaic building material Artex (buyer not to be divulged). "I couldn't even get one." A moment later, he brightened with the news that "I am on a list for a painting from the same series. It should arrive from London next month. "Sughrue also revealed that the global head of Ruinart Champagne, Frederic Dufour, had jetted in from Reims, France, with an entourage. The Ruinart team brought a contingent large enough to play in Cowboys Stadium, purchasing a block of nearly 40 Preview Gala tickets. We learned HOUSTON SIGHTINGS — SOCIAL SCULPTURE Lens lady Libbie Masterson chatting with pal Dallas doyenne Betty Blake, the pair pausing to admire Masterson's timeless nocturnal landscapes in Wade Wilson's booth Top collector Lester Marks, hosting a group for late-night bites to celebrate Fair-showcased Houston talents David Graeve, Selven O'Keef Jarmon and Alfredo Scaroina. Deborah Colton, whose booth was buzzing, as Christie's came calling. Oleg Dou's disquieting photograph of a pig-faced nymph went to an auction-house honcho. Steve Lambert's Everything You Want, Right Now!, 2011, at Charlie James Gallery COURTESY THE ARTIST AND DEBORAH COLTON GALLERY, HOUSTON Nora and Bob Ackerley shopping Artspace 101; they went home with a Dennis Blagg roadside Americana watercolor. CAMH director Bill Arning, who alighted at the Preview Gala and also headed to Fort Worth to check out the Glenn Ligon show at The Modern with a group of trustees in tow Geometric minimalist painter Fariba Abedin, scouting for a Dallas dealer. Exhibiting gallerist Betty Moody with director Lee Steffy, the pair reporting brisk sales, especially in sculpture by the late, great Luis Jimenez, an early Ed and Nancy Kienholz creation and continued interest in Helen Altman's naturecentric works. Provocative doll painter Thedra Cullar-Ledford planning a collaboration with photog Debbie Treviño Porter over lunch at the Nasher Sculpture Center. Pop collector extraordinaire Frank Herzog with his AXA Art Insurance colleagues Ida Ziewacz and Elissa Gydish. Former Houstonian Lisa Cooley, holding court in her eponymous gallery. How moving to welcome her back to Texas — after all, she started it all at Mixture Contemporary Art in Montrose and now has a Manhattan space on the Lower East Side. Artists Aaron Parazette and Sharon Engelstein, visiting their respective Dallas dealers' booths, Talley Dunn and Kirk Hopper. Oleg Dou's Pig, from the "Cubs" series, 2009, at Deborah Colton Gallery Marlene & John Sughrue Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld holds court. Jeweler Janice Thomas walking the Fair with her Dallasbased beau, photographer Kent Kirkley. Consultant Lea Weingarten, prowling acquisitions for a pair of clients and stopping by to say hi to exhibitor pals Jessica Silverman of Silverman Gallery, San Francisco, and the famed Hudson of Feature, Inc., Manhattan. Jim & Beth Gold Wade Wilson Chris Byrne Christen Wilson Exhibiting gallerist Wade Wilson, who exclaimed, "I've sold a pair of Joseph Cohens and already paid for the Fair!" Lester Marks Photi Giovanis Alden Pinnell Janelle Pinnell Cindy Rachofsky Howard Rachofsky Lauren Kennedy Libbie Masterson Brian Bolke Faisal Halum Jacqueline Anderson Max Anderson Zoe JacksonJarra Selven O'Keef Jarmon PaperCity's Catherine Anspon Lee Steffy For more Fair dish, tap papercitymag.com