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LEGACY THE T he Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's Grand Gala Ball, which saluted the life and legacy of philanthropist and noted art collector Fayez Sarofim, drew a black- tie clutch of Houston society. Blue bloods and young bloods, old guard and new guard gathered in the museum's Cullinan Hall, which had been gilded with 43 masterworks from the late Fayez Sarofim's collection. Providing a jaw-dropping backdrop to the crowd of 475 were paintings by John Singer Sargent, Childe Hassam, Mary Cassatt, William Merritt Chase, Robert Rauschenberg, Willem de Kooning, and Ellsworth Kelly — selections reflecting the full breadth of Sarofim's collecting. The Egyptian-born Sarofim died in May at the age of 93. Leading the charge on this evening were the Sarofim children, who served as honorary gala chairs: Christopher and Courtney Sarofim, Allison Sarofim and Patrick Seabase, Andrew and Mona Sarofim, and Phillip Sarofim and Christy Cham. Seated at the lengthy family table was Sarofim's widow, Susan Sarofim. The Sarofim Foundation and the Sarofim family served as premier underwriters for the evening, which raised a record $2.376 million for the museum's operating fund. In a surprise announcement in the vast hall, Christopher Sarofim, on stage with museum director Gary Tinterow, announced that 125 works from the Fayez S. Sarofim collection would be placed on extended loan to the museum. Among the guests were philanthropists whose families have supported the museum for generations, including Isla and Tommy Reckling, Lynne and Joe Hudson, Martha (Long) and Sean Wade, Lisa and Will Mathis, Kitch Taub, Aliyya and Herman Stude, Nancy and Butch Abendshein, Terry Wayne Jones and Jay Jones, Margaret Alkek Williams, Anne Duncan, Leslie and Jack Blanton, Joan Schnitzer Levy, and Ann and John Bookout. The impressive turnout included billionaire philanthropists Nancy and Rich Kinder; Houston Astros owner Jim Crane and wife Whitney; Rice University president Reginald DesRoches and wife Paula; Houston Endowment president and CEO Ann Stern and attorney Karl Stern; New York-based fashion designer Adam Lippes; Jerold B. Katz Foundation president Evan Katz and wife Nicole. A younger generation of philanthropists included Gillian Sarofim, Louisa Sarofim, Meredith Flores Barker and Mason Barker, Lily and Johnathan Schnitzer, Kaki and Douglas Schnitzer, Alanna Flores, Lexi Sakowitz Marek, Phoebe Massey Cholnoky and TJ Cholnoky, Laura and Keefer Lehner, and Lauren and Max Barrett. Fayez Sarofim of MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON'S GRAND GALA BALL By Shelby Hodge. Photography Jenny Antill Clifton. Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Jim & Whitney Crane Honorary chairs Andrew & Mona Sarofim Christopher & Courtney Sarofim, Patrick Seabase & Allison Sarofim, Christy Cham & Phillip Sarofim Alanna Flores, Fayez Sarofim Meredith Flores Barker, Gillian Sarofim Rich & Nancy Kinder Christopher Gardner & Gary Tinterow Joan Schnitzer Susan Sarofim 20