Art League Houston Celebrates a Joyous and Successful 76th Anniversary Gala
Houston, TX – [Oct 11, 2024] – Art League Houston is delighted to announce the success of our 76th Anniversary Gala: BLOOM, an unforgettable evening that brought together supporters, artists, and community leaders to celebrate the impact of art on our city. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us in honoring the incredible achievements of our honorees, Michelle Barnes, Beili Liu, and Kathy Vargas, whose contributions to the arts continue to inspire us all.
This year’s gala, hosted at the stunning Thompson Hotel, was a night filled with joy, creativity, and community. Thanks to the generosity of our attendees, sponsors, and partners, we raised over $210,000, which will directly support Art League Houston’s mission to empower artists, provide accessible art education, and bring inspiring exhibitions to the community.
“We are truly humbled by the incredible outpouring of support we received for this year’s gala,” said Jennie Ash, Executive Director of Art League Houston. “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making this event such a success—our amazing co-chairs John Luu, Sophie Asakura, & Peter Eccles, and Taylor Amador-Williamson & Jonathan Williamson, our guests, sponsors, host committee, and the entire community. Your generosity not only helps us continue our mission but also strengthens the creative spirit of Houston. We couldn’t do this without you, and we are so grateful for your belief in the power of art to inspire, connect, and transform lives.”
As we move forward, we remain committed to fostering creativity, education, and connection through the arts, and we thank each and every one of our supporters for helping make that vision a reality. The success of this gala marks another exciting chapter in Art League Houston’s long history of serving the Houston arts community, and we are excited about what’s to come.
For those who were unable to attend, it’s not too late to support our mission with a 100% tax deductible donation.
Thank you to our generous 2024 supporters
INNOVATIVE ICON I $25,000
John P. McGovern Foundation
The Marker Group
Scott R. Sparvero
ARTISTIC CHAMPION I $10,000
Cecily E. Horton
CREATIVE CATALYST I $5,000
Taylor Amador-Williamson & Jonathan Williamson
Mary & Marcel Barone
Field of Study
Jasmine & Nima Farzaneh / Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough LLP
Manske Wealth Management - Elijah Lopez
Memorial Hermann
Katy Schawe
PATRON SPONSOR I $1,200
Jereann Chaney
Melanie Lawson & John Guess, Jr
Lester & Penelope Marks
Judy & Scott Nyquist
Leigh & Reggie Smith
GENEROUS DONORS
Toi Anderson
Leslie Davis
Jacqueline Day
Sonya Bishop Hill
Michelle Hunt
Poppi Georges Massey
PlainsCapital Bank
Lisa Rich & John McLaughlin
Anita & Gerald Smith
Phoebe & Bobby Tudor
MEDIA SPONSOR
PaperCity Magazine
DESIGN & PRINT SPONSOR
Field of Study Design
SPECIAL THANKS
Sophie Asakura & Peter Eccles • Minnette & Peter Boesel • Bridget Bray • Michael Bray • Regina Chien • Susan Clark & Myrna Espinoza • Janavi Mahimtua Folmsbee • Glasstire • Rob Greenstein • Zachary Gresham & Pablo Moreno • Michelle Hung & Robert Raney • Raymond Hylenski & Barbara Faber • Madeline Kelly • Chris Lockwood & Alison Reeves • John Luu • Mary Magsamen • McClain Gallery • Betty Moody • Duyên & Marc Nguyen • Daisy Perez & Angela Uchytil • Mark Rafail • Mari Carmen Ramírez • Ann C. Schorno • Jenni Stephenson • David & Sandy Strauss • Sixto Wagan • Anna Walker • Dr. Alvia Wardlaw • Tracye Wear & David F. Brown • Wells Fargo PRIDE Employee Resource Network (ERN) • Audra White • Sarah Beth Wilson & Joey McKeel
2024 HONOREES
Beili Liu • 2024 Texas Artist of the Year
Kathy Vargas • 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award in the Visual Arts
Michelle Swain Barnes • 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award in Arts Leadership
CO-CHAIRS:
Taylor Amador-Williamson & Jonathan Williamson
GALA COMMITTEE:
Toi Anderson • Catherine D. Anspon & John Mason Walker • Mary & Marcellus Barone • Sonya H. Bishop • Jennifer Blanco & John Earles • Minnette & Peter Boesel • Jereann Chaney • Jasmine & Nima Farzaneh • Yvonne Garcia • Zachary Gresham & Pablo Moreno • Michelle Hung & Robert Raney • Jayni Karsan • Elijah & Reanna Lopez • Lester & Penelope Marks • Poppi Georges Massey • Betty Moody • Judy & Scott Nyquist • Crystal & Don Owens • Dr. Binita Patel & Nirav A. Naik, MD • Daisy Perez • Mari Carmen Ramírez • Lisa Rich & John McLaughlin • Katy & Skyler Schawe • Anita & Gerald Smith • Scott Sparvero • Mimi Swartz • Sixto Wagan • Dr. Alvia Wardlaw • Wendy Watriss