After Stylish Opening Fête, Show Featuring Artwork by Kids with Autism Open at River Oaks District

Daniel Ortiz
After Stylish Opening Fête, Show Featuring Artwork by Kids with Autism Open at River Oaks District

Kelly Anznotti, Keri Jo McCrory, Anna Reger

A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND art exhibition with special meaning is now up at River Oaks District. It features the work of kids navigating life with autism.


In a space in the District's Central Plaza — with neighbors including Toulouse Café & Bar, Dior and de Boulle — the KNOWAustism nonprofit presents pieces curated from its "As I Am" art project, its first art show. And supporters of the cause gathered to open the exhibit in style earlier this month, with classical music performances and delicious nibbles such as Toulouse's famous Ahi tuna tacos, and Champagne donated by the District's Ouzo Bay.

"We are thrilled to partner with KNOWAutism in this endeavor that combines philanthropy, fashion and art," said River Oaks District Marketing Director John Pearson in a statement. "Their work in the community is critical to Houston's strong philanthropic landscape, and this exhibition creatively brings to life their advocacy for the families and talented children they continue to serve."

The "As I Am" project, implemented by KNOWAutism board members Sherri Zucker, Marian McClendon and Paul-David Van Atta, was first said to be "an effort to provide a healthy outlet for families and their children when schools and extracurricular programs were halted" due to Covid last year, according to a rep for the organization. The initial response to the project was overwhelming and quickly grew. More than 250 child artists and a dozen Houston-area schools and philanthropies have participated.

"We hope the community will see the joy and magic captured by children and better understand the potential of all children if only given the chance to create," said KNOWAutism Board Chair Amy Pierce. "Art is an outlet to express feelings one can't easily articulate. Many children on the autism spectrum have difficulty with communication. Art gives them a voice and self-confidence. We hope art will give them a voice. We believe in the importance of inclusion and acceptance and hope this exhibit will further spread this key message."

The show is open to the public and free of charge until Sept. 12. Proceeds from the gallery will benefit KNOWAustism's mission of helping families with kids impacted by autism as they navigate diagnostics, treatment, intervention and education.

Adriana Patterson, Sonya Gaines

Donae Chramosta, Ruchi Mukerjee

KNOWAutism Art Gallery

Amie Parker, Corbett Parker

Jess Fields, Varda Fields

Marian and Bruce McClendon

Sherry Zucker

KNOWAutism Art Gallery

Tammy Nguyen, Jane Chen, Vivian Ye and Julia Nguyen

Tracy Faulkner, Miya Shay

Parties
Thrive & Inspire: Creating ’Something Bigger Than Ourselves’ Drives Gooch and Pappas of RYDE

Ashley Gooch and Andrew Pappas, Co-Founders

WHAT INSPIRES YOU as you grow RYDE? The RYDE community and our team inspire us every day. The goal from the start was to create something that is bigger than ourselves — our community is just that. We want to push the limits of what a fitness experience can be. Our new Heights studio is a testament to that commitment, offering a high-energy indoor cycling experience in a stunning space. RYDE Heights opens in April, exactly eight years after our first location opened on West Gray in River Oaks.

Keep Reading Show less

Casey Axelrod, Stacey White, Christy Robinson, Laura Lewis and Mia Oliva

PETE BELL'S COTTON Holdings company, known for never doing anything halfway when it comes to parties, celebrated the return of the of the A&M-UT football game after a 13-year hiatus with the most lavish tailgating more gridiron fans have ever seen.

Keep Reading Show less
Style+Culture

David Cordua

FOODIES WITH BIG hearts were in heaven at the annual Signature Chefs restaurants expo and fundraising dinner benefitting the March of Dimes. Held at The Revaire and chaired by Kristen J. Cannon and Mignon Gill, the event took in some $425,000 in support of healthier mothers and children.

Keep Reading Show less