Arts / Museums

Houston Art World’s No. 1 Cheerleader Gets His Moment in the Spotlight

A Crafty Luncheon is Taking Over River Oaks Country Club

BY Matthew Ramirez & Catherine D. Anspon // 04.21.19

The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is a worthwhile arts institution of national renown that Houstonians are lucky to have in the Museum District.

Since its launch in 2001, HCCC has established itself as both a regional and United States destination as an edifying and important resource in preserving, elevating, and showcasing craft at a high level. HCCC is one of a few American locations dedicated to this calling, and one of the most central people involved in creating and establishing the legacy of HCCC is the renowned Clint Willour.

Willour is best known through his influential role at the Galveston Arts Center where he served as curator and also executive director during a period that spanned 1990 through 2016. On his CV while at GAC, he organized more than 400 exhibitions for Houston and Texas artists, many of which traveled throughout the state, across the country and beyond.

Now the Craft Center has a chance to recognize this stalwart curator, patron, collector and unfailing cheerleader for Texas artists, nonprofits and museums.

While Willour’s role at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, was recently celebrated with an exhibition culling selected works from the more than 1,000 photographs, prints, drawings, paintings, and sculptures, he has donated to the MFAH during the last four decades, few outside the art world know of his longstanding history and deep commitment to craft, its artists, and specifically, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

At HCCC, he’s served two terms on the Board of Directors starting in 2006, and ongoing to today. Additionally, Willour’s acclaimed eye and curatorial acumen has been transformative in the selection of Craft Center exhibitions and artists in residence. He served on both of those committees where his wisdom and leadership as a talent scout have been bedrocks for HCCC.

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In 2007, Art League Houston anointed Willour with the ultimate honor, being named Texas Art Patron of the Year. Six years later, in 2013, Willour was named a Texas Master by Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

Save the date: The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft Spring Luncheon is celebrating Willour’s tireless devotion by honoring him at the glam soirée at River Oaks Country Club, on this Wednesday, April 24, starting at 11:30 am.

The luncheon chairs are unprecedented in being three of Houston’s most powerful (and beloved) women in the arts: iconic Texas gallerist Betty Moody (who will get her own award this fall at Art League Houston’s Gala), curator for Modern and Contemporary Decorative Arts and Design at the MFAH Cindi Strauss, and independent photography curator Anne Tucker, who established the photography department at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and grew it to become one of the top ten in the world.

It is fitting that these three longtime friends and fans of Willour chair this big craft afternoon which marks HCCC’s 10th annual Crafting a Legacy Spring Luncheon.

What would an arts fundraiser be without silent auction goodies? Scroll through our slideshow to see our picks for highlights of the silent auction action, as well as some golden moments with Willour.

Those who get too nervous to bid can still come home with something by shopping the Asher Gallery pop-up set up during this crafty lunch at River Oaks Country Club.

For all the details and silent auction craft finds here.

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