Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1439514
MARKING A MILESTONE By Shelby Hodge. Additional reporting Catherine D Anspon. Photography Jenny Antill Clifton. ROTHKO CHAPEL CELEBRATES A HALF-CENTURY. T he contemplative aura of the Rothko Chapel — a beacon for spirituality, art, and activism since Dominique and John de Menil unveiled the sanctuary in 1971 — carried forward from the Menil campus to The Post Oak Hotel as a jovial throng of supporters rallied for the Illumination Gala, recognizing the serene enclave's 50th anniversary. In salute to the suite of 14 Mark Rothko paintings that line Chapel walls (considered the late artist's magnum opus), an auction of artworks by such greats as Ed Ruscha and Sol LeWitt, curated by Barbara Davis of Barbara Davis Gallery, contributed mightily to the night's proceeds. In all, $650,000 was raised for the next half-century. The evening honored a trio of couples: art advocates and champions for justice, NY-based Lori Cohen and Christopher Rothko (he, the painter's only son, former Chapel board chair, and head of the ongoing $32 million Opening Spaces Campaign); Reverends Juanita and R u d y R a s m u s f o r s p i r i t u a l and community leadership; and D a n i e l l a a n d Carlos Correa for the work of their family foundation. Honorees Christopher Rothko & Lori Cohen Thomas Woltz, Elizabeth Kubany, David & Leigh Leslie Josie Herrera, Yoli Parish, Daniela Sanchez Michael Piana, chair Isabel Torras, honoree Daniella Correa, chair Ignacio Torras Thuy Tran, Ann Phan 24