Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/258079
At the Helm Who could miss with Rice U's powerhouse art force at the helm, Molly Hipp Hubbard, joined by PaperCity's editor in chief Holly Moore. The duo carried forth the ethereal Dreamscape theme with aplomb, while tapping into their not insignificant social network. Marilyn Oshman Bob Wade CATHERINE D. ANSPON TAKES NOTES FROM ONE ÜBER ART FROLIC. PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS BROWN AND MIKE HERRERA. Gala Central In the past decade, we've never, ever missed one certain party. Costumery. Check. Audaciousness. Yes. Perfect cause. Indeed. Read on for our top moments from this fall's Orange Show Gala. The visionary art center's 32nd annual fund-raiser, founded by the irrepressible Marilyn Oshman, was an undeniably unique black-tie shindig. Auction Goodies Once again, auction chairs Erica Levit and Lance Rosmarin presided, joined by Rosmarin's mom, Harriet Gertner, who called in their chips with luxury purveyors all over town. The trio also concocted extraordinary behind-the-scenes experiences up for grabs, ranging from a cocktail party for 100 at Rice's breathtaking Turrell Skyspace (won by Owlie Stewart O'Dell) to an insider tour of the Philip Johnson-designed Menil House (which went to lucky bidder Lynn Mathre, O'Dell's wife and Orange Show board member, and pals). Big-board art loot included a Gabriel de la Mora wall piece crafted from Post-it Notes and pencil (courtesy Sicardi Gallery), a classic Sharon Kopriva sculpture of a nun and Dixie Friend Gay's surreal female shadow figures (one went home with Brian James, another headed to the casa of Beverly and John Berry). Groovy Venue The vintage '70s-era vibe of the Heritage Center at Crowne Plaza Reliant contributed to the dreamy, kaleidoscopic atmosphere of the night, which had many of the 500 revelers either going psychedelic or wearing attire appropriate for the Land of Nod. The ballroom's cavernous spaces were ripe for transformation: Suspended crescent moons were perfect perches for a pair of aerialists, while celestial touches on the ceiling ranged from stars to sculptural planets and galaxies. Completing this tableau was a living forest provided by Wayne Gross' TreeSource, which shaded the cocktail and auction areas. Capping off the setting was performance art by a parade of dreamweavers bearing lanterns and soothsayers telling fortunes in sylvan nooks, and the rockin' Celebrity AllStar Band. Wardrobe Wonders Costume foolery was the order of the evening. Our fave looks: bombshell Apama Mackey as Elvira; Orange Show board prez Bob Schultz and wife Lane in Duck Dynasty finery; Curry Glassell glamming it up as a face-painted zombie vixen; headlining artist/designer of the invites Dixie Friend Gay and sidekick Rich Latimer in horned regalia; Shannon Hall and Marcus Sloan in bad-taste aqua-and-lavender polyester bathrobes; caftan-wearing John Kerr Smither channeling his mom Stephanie Smither, among the benefactors of the upcoming Smither Park, named in her late husband's honor; Fabian Suarez, turned out as an Aztec god in ahem, a loin cloth that left very little to the imagination; Pamela George in azure angel wings and a big curly 'do, dyed blue to match; and Michael Pilié as a serpent-headed deity. Founder Marilyn Oshman opted for a more understated look, accessorized by a smile at the ball's bottom line, which approached the half-million-dollar mark. FEBRUARY | PAGE 20 | 2014 O utrageous + ver-the-Top = range Show's Big Dreamy Evening Ford Hubbard Dixie Friend Gay Anne Skidmore Apama Mackey Craig Massey Gil Gertner Mauney Mafrige Harriet Gertner Tatiana Massey Erica Levit Lance Rosmarin Chairman Holly Moore Chairman Molly Hipp Hubbard Liz Decker Renée Lewis Cary Jeff Shell Larry Plotsky Aaliyah Sosa Doug Gray Michael Pilié Marc Schindler Maureen Donelan Mike Donelan Ashley Langley John Kerr Smither Chris Skidmore Bill Arning J. Michael Soliz Don Mafrige Jr. Philippe Schmit Bob Schultz Karen Gorfil Lester Marks Deborah Colton Alfredo Scaroina Karen Desenberg Rich Latimer Mise en scène Marcus Sloan Shannon Hall Lee Ellis Kevin Black Tony Bradfield Jonathan Beitler Bruce Eames Curry Glassell Christopher Hughes Sunday Riley Blair Gordon Emily Jackson John Alvarado Tamar Mendelssohn Benjy Levit