Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1433456
"I tried to get a meta wallet, and I needed a Xanax and two martinis to figure it out," says pop artist Ashley Longshore in a hype video for her first-ever NFT (non-fungible token) drop. All Longshore really needed to get into that digital realm was trusted friend Francine Ballard, founder of Metagolden, a gallery platform that connects consumers to the lucrative world of NFT digital art investment. But this drop has a twist: The NFT is coupled with a valuable physical keepsake, in the form of 18K gold jewelry. Through her new company, Ballard — PaperCity style editor at large — seeks to bring more women into the crypto art sphere, both by collaborating with women artists and by representing art that appeals to female collectors. So, what better m a r q u e e talent for a collaboration than Longshore, whose new book, Roar!: A Collection of Mighty Women (Rizzoli), celebrates the most culturally seminal women in history via her signature striking and vibrant portraits. H u n d r e d s o f N F Ts w i l l be available this month via Metagolden's website, with the drop happening in January. The collection (minted at .05 to .1 eth per NFT with a dollar equivalent of $300 to $500, for purchase via crypto wallet or credit card) consists of randomized digital pieces of art based on the book — vivacious portraits of powerful women who dared to dream and stood their ground, including Harriet Tubman, Simone Biles, Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Frida Kahlo. The release comes in the form of a blind drop, meaning collectors don't know which piece they'll receive, but it also could come with a valuable physical or digital bonus unlockable. Planned unlockables include a pair of 18K gold earrings with three carats of diamonds, OBSESSIONS. DECORATION. SALIENT FACTS. HOUSTON SYMPHONY MAGICAL MUSICAL MORNING When: Sunday, December 5, 11 am Where: River Oaks Country Club Who: Chair Tammie Johnson Note: Benefiting Houston Symphony; brunch for families and children; interactive musical experiences; craft activities; special guest Santa Claus; DECEMBER 2021 DATEBOOK PAPERCITY'S SOCIAL CALENDAR OF OCTOBER EVENTS, VIRTUAL AND LIVE. PaperCity media sponsor Tariff: From $200; tables from $1,500 Contact: Stacey Swift, 713.337.8523, stacey.swift@houstonsymphony.org HOLIDAY SCHMOOZE CELEBRATING JACKSON HICKS When: Wednesday, December 8, 6 pm Where: The Corinthian Who: Co-chairs Bill Caudell and Randy Powers, Sara Dodd and Will Denton, Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro, Nancy McGregor and Neal Manne, Becca Cason Thrash and John Thrash, Milton Townsend, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor Note: Benefiting Legacy Community Health; video tribute to Schmooze founder Jackson Hicks; cocktails and hors d'oeuvres Jackson & Company; PaperCity media sponsor Tariff: $1,500; sponsorships from $3,000 Contact: Chloe Rushing, 281.841.4702, events@legacycommunityhealth.org valued at $8,500; a trademark Metagolden Blockchain necklace valued at $7,450; a gold medallion designed by Longshore that comes with its own NFT of her artwork, valued at $6,375; copies of the Roar! book; Canetti Lucite display cube frame to display art via QR code; and even the chance to have a portrait painted by Longshore. A portion of the proceeds benefits emerging artists and women and girls in the tech space (beneficiaries to be announced). This collection is major. Ballard and Longshore are breaking barriers — if you've been eyeing the world of digital art, this collaboration marks an ideal e n t r y p o i n t . metagolden.com. Anne Lee Phillips YOU'RE SO DIGITALLY GOLDEN Ashley Longshore Ashley Longshore's Frida Metagolden 18K gold and diamond W.I.N.G.S. earrings Metagolden Blockchain necklace 26