Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1543122
Don't you love it when a gala has the courage to step away from black tie and go with a look that's less, ahem, structured? We're handing out accolades to Blaffer Gallery — now rebranded Blaffer Art Museum — for its lively, "Abracadabra" -themed fund-raising fête that banished tuxedos and gowns and broke even further from tradition by moving the venue from the august halls of the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture to where it belongs: the Blaffer itself, with the revelers spilling outside into the nearby courtyard for an impromptu after-party while DJ Drew spun tunes. Making magic: Blaffer director Claudia Schmuckli, blessed with one of the best eyes in town (and an uncanny ability to present shows for artists before they are picked for the Whitney Biennial), who ignited gala-goers by announcing plans for a new museum expansion; chairmen Sue and John Porretto, whose home-building firm is an advocate for sustainability; Jo Furr, hosting a table that included Gensler's José Solís and Lisa Pope Westerman, with husband Greg Westerman, and Houdini-caped Tirey Counts with Jim Walker; our fave Pop art collector Frank Herzog; Christina Girard in a splendid fuchsia caftan; honorees Lisa and past board chairman Russell Sherrill; current board chairman Gordon Goodman with wife Terri; and members of the museum's founding family, including Camilla Blaffer and John Royall Sr., John Blaffer Royall Jr. in from New York, Katherine Taylor, and Wirt Blaffer. That's no hocus-pocus. Catherine D. Anspon PhotograPhy Jenny antill , Fulton DavenPort. Two hundred ardent Texas art supporters turned out to preorder the much-anticipated volume Texas Artists Today written by PaperCity's Catherine D. Anspon and bid on a high-voltage art auction. The oversized, silver-hued book with a carnation suede carved-out title is the first comprehensive tour of the Texas art scene in 10 years, and the 3,000 limited-edition volumes are numbered and signed. Deborah Colton did chair honors at her space, the Colton & Farb Gallery, while gallerist Wade Wilson reigned as auctioneer. A contingent came in from Dallas via private jet, led by the book's North Texas project manager Karla McKinley, who ended up as high bidder on a major lot by Angelbert Metoyer. The evening was capped by the opening of the first advance volume of Texas Artists Today, which went for $1,300 to gallerist Barbara Davis. For more deets, go to papercitymag.com. Holly Moore For More PArTY PiCs, see PAPerCiTYMAG.CoM Zoë Jackson-Jarra at Texas Artists Christina Girard at Blaffer Andrew McFarland at Blaffer Claudia Schmuckli at Blaffer Ryan Gordon at Blaffer DJ III-Set at Texas Artists PaperCity's Catherine D. Anspon at Texas Artists PaperCity's Jenny Antill at Texas Artists Karla McKinley at Texas Artists Wirt Blaffer at Blaffer Honorees Russell & Lisa Sherrill at Blaffer Wade Wilson at Texas Artists Chairman Deborah Colton at Texas Artists Barbara Davis at Texas Artists Toby Kamps at Blaffer Wayne Gilbert at Blaffer Poppi Massey at Texas Artists Craig Massey at Texas Artists Margaret Bott at Texas Artists Tierney Malone at Texas Artists David McGee at Texas Artists Greg Westerman at Blaffer Lisa Pope Westerman at Blaffer Chairman Sue Porretto at Blaffer