Art on the Avenue Auction Brings in $250,000, Gives 532 Pieces of Art a New Home

What: Art on the Avenue Preview Party and Auction

Where: Winter Street Studios

PC Moment: An exciting evening of art and philanthropy brought together a group of generous Houstonians and noteworthy artists for this year’s Art on the Avenue. Executive director of Avenue Community Development Corporation Mary Lawler gathered with Mayor Sylvester Turner and 288 passionate artists for the vibrant first-look preview party and snappy main event auction two nights later.

Art on the Avenue is the largest silent auction and fundraiser for Avenue CDC, a hometown nonprofit dedicated to building affordable housing. Avenue CDC is known for its investment in the people and neighborhoods of Houston, and its commitment to educating residents on building personal wealth through the security of homeownership.

This year’s Art on the Avenue triumphed, as co-chairs Bill Baldwin and Fady Armanious curated the weekend that featured 532 pieces of art, which brought in $250,000. The funds were shared between both Avenue CDC and the artists themselves, illuminating the artist-friendly mission.

Avenue CDC plans to use its portion to improve the lives of working-class families, and to promote sustainability and diversity in Houston neighborhoods.

As attendees contemplated the works for acquisition, they sampled food from International Smoke, Jonathan’s The Rub, Poitín, B&B Butchers, Cacao & Cardamom Chocolatiers, Che Figata Gelato and restaurants from Bravery Chef Hall, the new food hall in Hines’ Aris Market Square high-rise.

The evening’s signature cocktail alluded to the art world – Kadinsky’s Biomorphic Abstract Mule. Concocted from zesty Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and dreamed up by Art on the Avenue’s culinary curator Shepard Ross, the drink practically glowed and stole the spotlight with its rich pink and purple hues. It was a work of art on its own.

PC Seen: Cornerstone sponsor BBVA Compass’ senior VP Evan Matzen, and colleagues Sache Cantu, Mark Montgomery, and Viola Solomon (she, an Avenue board member); Preview Party hosts Chris Silkwood and Kelly Simmons; Mark Parthie, lead on curating and organizing the artists; guest juror Gus Kopriva of Redbud Gallery; first-place winner, Ellen McClellan; second-place winner, the late Houston artist Virgil Grotfeldt; honorable mention talents Chris Silkwood and Barbara Tennant; city notables Winter Street developer Jon Deal and wife Katie; George Lancaster; Sue Payne; Ellie Sweeney; Shari Koziol; Sandra Porter; Lauren Fisher; Kathryn and Richard Rabinow; Carol and Buddy Welter; Kathy and Duane Kyrish; Jano Nixon Kelley and John Kelley; Judge Steven Kirkland; Tyri Centanni; District H Council Member Karla Cisneros; Jamie Bryant; Amanda Timm; and Annette Santamaria.