Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/660799
A dynamic duo of art parties memorably defined the season: benefits for Community Artists' Collective and Glasstire — each luring a major artist headliner. First up, co-chairs Beverly Harmon, Alton LaDay, and Joy Sewing invited celebrated painter Kerry James Marshall to town as keynote speaker for the Community Artists' Collective Luncheon at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Talk about perfect timing: The engagement was several months in advance of Marshall's traveling retrospective co-organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The former MacArthur Genius Award recipient spoke of his desire to express the African-American experience at the event, which raised a cool $100,000 toward CAC's mission of educating African-American artists and making fine art more accessible to the community. CAMH's senior curator Valerie Cassel Oliver moderated, with CAC board member Lester Marks presenting the inaugural Lester Marks Patron of the Year Award to Carolyn Farb for her lifetime of philanthropy. On the scene: CAC co-founder and executive director Michelle Barnes; Whitney Biennial-exhibited artist Robert Pruitt; gallerist Deborah Colton; Houston Arts Alliance's Jonathon Glus; top collector Jereann Chaney with Norman Ewart; curator Danielle Burns Wilson; and patron types Billie Brown, Wezy Dees, Craig Massey, Matt Burrus and Michael Pearce, and Yvette and Scott Hill. Glasstire, the enduring online magazine for Texas art, presented the inaugural edition of its new Off Road series, which brings artistic talents to Houston for art-smart dialogues. Internationally recognized master of light and space Robert Irwin sat down with Michael Govan, director of the mighty Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), at Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston (MATCH) — the third event hosted by the new complex. After a welcome from Glasstire founder Rainey Knudson, the two art-world bigwigs engaged in a conversation that was as casual as it was insightful. (Irwin spoke about a secret guerilla-style installation done at Rice University decades ago, stunning many in the crowd.) Proceeds from ticket sales went directly to Glasstire, the state's largest art publication, digital or otherwise. Artfully present: Cece and Mack Fowler (who hosted the after-party); curator Clint Willour with gallerist pal Betty Moody; Art Guy Michael Galbreth (who's married to Miz Knudson); art advisor Julie Kinzelman and Christopher Tribble; Alison Weaver of Moody Center for the Arts at Rice; Menil alum Helen Winkler Fosdick (the Dia Foundation's founding director); and collectors Jo and Jim Furr, Judy Nyquist, Heidi Gerger, Marita and J.B. Fairbanks, and Clare Casademont and Michael Metz. MATTHEW RAMIREZ REPORTS. PHOTOGRAPHY JENNY ANTILL CLIFTON, BEN DOYLE. TWO ART STARS AND A MUSEUM DIRECTOR ILLUSTRIOUS GATHERINGS FOR COMMUNITY ARTISTS' COLLECTIVE AND GLASSTIRE Billie Brown at CAC Clint Willour at Glasstire Brad Bucher at Glasstire Marita Fairbanks at Glasstire Robert Irwin at Glasstire Michael Govan Kate Bellin Emily Keeton Jim Furr Jo Furr Rainey Knudson at Glasstire Sally Reynolds Norman Reynolds Cece Fowler at Glasstire Jenny Moore Betty Moody Michael Galbreth Co-chair Beverly Harmon at CAC Lester Marks at CAC Honoree Carolyn Farb Co-chair Alton LaDay Co-chair Joy Swing Danielle Burns Wilson Annette Bracey at CAC Deborah Colton at CAC Michelle Barnes at CAC Kerry James Marshall at CAC Valerie Cassel Oliver