Texas’ Artist of the Year is Revealed

What: Art League Houston Gala

Where: Hotel ZaZa

PC Moment: Moving remarks by Mel Chin, David McGee, and Deborah Velders introduced the evening’s honorees, respectively artist Jesse Lott (Lifetime Achievement), Poppi Massey (Patron of the Year), and Terrell James (Texas Artist of the Year). Each recipient received artist-made trophies: an owl sculpture by Emily Sloan bestowed upon Lott, Mvuzo Ntlantsana‘s shoe sculpture for Massey, and a Tony Sonnenberg encrusted creation for James. Post gala, many of the honorees gathered in the ZaZa’s Black Label suite where the party continued on.

Who: Chairs Lynn Goode and Harrison Williams, Kristen Johnson and Drew Perrin, and Dr. Greg Shannon; Art League executive director Michael Peranteau, visual arts director Jennie Ash (who selected the hotly contested art lots that comprised the silent auction), and operations director Jill Nepomnick; a bevy of artists including Jane Eifler, Caroline Graham, Christy Karll, McKay Otto (in from Wimberley), Emily Peacock (artist advisory board chair), Patrick Renner, and Jeffrey Wheeler with Ruby Surls (in from Splendora); collector-types Leigh and Reggie Smith, Penelope and Lester Marks, Duyen Huynh and Marc Nguyen, and Tatiana and Craig Massey; and staunch Art League supporters including Cara and Michael Rudelson, Dr. Michelle Hung and Robert Raney, Susan and Richard Quarles, Crystal and Don Owens, and Robert Daniel with fiancee Julia Reynolds