Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1433456
T he Contemporary A r t s M u s e u m Houston Gala is always an apex of the social season where art folks and social types meld. Post COVID vaccine (the 2020 gala was canceled), the bash re-emerged like a phoenix led by new director Hesse McGraw and his team of fresh hires. There was no need for event chairs, as museum trustees and CAMH staff stepped up in this role, including deputy director Seba Suber, and curatorial trio Allison Glenn (just arrived from Crystal Bridges Museum), Rebecca Matalon, and Patricia Restrepo. The cool contemporary evening bore signature touches of CAMH Galas past — edgy party decor crafted by Bergner & Johnson, a seated dinner by A Fare Extraordinaire, and an important auction. From there, the soirée departed from tradition, thanks to inventive details including an outrageous tricked out-art car by HISD educator/artist Rickey Polidore Jr. at the valet arrival, emcee Baba Ruerob of Screwed Up HQ, Johnny Bravo as auctioneer, and headliner/crooner Frewuhn turning the museum plaza into an al fresco live-music and dance zone, capped off by late-night sound curator womon (aka Mo Nikole). As the last of the 200-some guests departed, the CAMH coffers were $280,000 richer, including nearly six figures raised by 27 live and silent auction art lots, stocked with works by CAMH-exhibited Garrett Bradley, Tyler Deauvea, Robert Hodge, and other notables. Social Sculpture: Board chair/ architect Dillon Kyle and husband Sam Lasseter; board prez Howard Robinson and wife Beverly Robinson; stalwart CAMH supporters Sissy and Denny Kempner; Leslie and Russ Robinson; Cobi Newton; Leigh and Reggie Smith; Kelly and Nick Silvers; Houston Poet Laureate Emanuelee "Outspoken" Bean; Karen Farber; Lacee Jacobs Barnett and Kevin Barnett; Mary and Marcel Barone; Ruth and Neill Davis; De Beers' Rene Chapman- Wood and Christina Foley; DeeAnn and Marcus Thigpen; Barbara Davis; Mary Lambrakos; Cody Fitzsimmons and Christopher Scott; Deun Ivory; and a lively contingent of artists including Eduardo Portillo, Lovie Olivia, Mich Stevenson, Tyler Deauvea, Preston Gaines, and Jennifer Ling Datchuk. CANVAS CAMH CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM HOUSTON'S REIMAGINED GALA + AUCTION By Catherine D. Anspon. Photography Daniel Ortiz. Rebecca Matalon Patricia Restrepo Zion Escobar Lacee Jacobs Barnett & Kevin Barnett Reggie & Leigh Smith Karen Farber Emanuelee "Outspoken" Bean Lisa Helfman Janice Bond Asomgyee Pamoja & Kheli Willetts Sissy & Denny Kempner Jessica Phifer LeRonn Brooks Allison Glenn, Jamal Cyrus Howard Robinson Hesse McGraw Dillon Kyle 34