Festive, Philanthropic Dinner Gets to the 'Art' of the Matter

Daniel Ortiz
Festive, Philanthropic Dinner Gets to the 'Art' of the Matter

Trisha Weisman, Julia Gorga, Neera Patidar, Amanda Abiassi

CREATING AND VIEWING art has proven beneficial in medical and clinical settings — not only to patients, who experience greater healing, but also to the physicians and nurses, who report higher workplace satisfaction. As a global capital of medicine, Houston fittingly boasts an organization dedicated to just that: The Arts of Healing Foundation. Its annual holiday fundraiser raised more than $260,000 for physician and patient art programs.

The evening took place at the Post Oak Hotel, where more than 350 supporters turned out for a dinner and art show celebrating this year's honorees — Houston doctors — and beneficiary, The Sunshine Kids. A cocktail reception took place in the lobby amid an exclusive art show featuring works by some 20 local physicians. Holiday-glam guests perused the works before being ushered into the ballroom, where they first picked up a flute of bubbly from a stunning Champagne tower created by Blooming Gallery.


Valobra Master Jewelers donated a pair of drop earrings adorned with a total of 30 carats of amethysts surrounded by pink sapphires for the raffle, which was a hit! Another art exhibit in the ballroom displayed works by dozens of children who participated in the foundation's Summer Art Series Program, led by local docs in collaboration with The Sunshine Kids, which is a nonprofit group that provides resources to pediatric cancer patients.

After dinner, partygoers hit the dance floor to boogie down to hits by Password.

“This has been by far one of our most successful programs to date,” said Arts of Healing's executive director, Kristen Collins, in a statement. “We knew this was going to be a successful program, but we were overwhelmed with emotions with the result. The art was absolutely amazing and each piece incredibly personal of each child. Our response from our doctors was equally as powerful and truly met our mission word for word. We cannot wait to share this with the world.”

DeeAnn Thigpen, Jentry Kelley, Nadia Hafeez

Amita and Karan Bhalla

Dean Moore

Sarah Devon, Jacy and Grant Cooper

Loriana Zaid, Amal Khalaf, Dr. Khaled Khalaf, Chuck Ganim, Hanin Alqoreishy

Henry Mentz, Paula Mentz, Dr. James Mentz. Julie Shaffer, Nadia Hafeez, Travis Weaver

Troy Clendenin, Mia Gradney

Isaac and Lori Raijman

Art by The Sunshine Kids

Parties
‘Natural Passion’ Makes Fourth-Gen Houstonian Sarah Callaway Sulma a Realty Star

AS A FOURTH-generation Houstonian, Sarah Callaway Sulma has a unique and invaluable view of the city. Her deep seated connection to Houston led her down the path to becoming one the city's most well-respected, and renowned real estate agents. Sarah's natural passion for the real estate industry from a young age led her to where she is today. "I know that it sounds cheesy, but it is the truth! I wanted to be in real estate from a young age," Sarah shares. "The late-great restaurateur, Tony Vallone, put me together with real estate legend, Martha Turner, and Martha put me together with Cathy Cagle. The rest is history-13 years of success and counting!" Now with over 13 years in real estate and $55M+ in residential real estate sales, Sarah brings a rare combination of knowledge, skill, and advocacy to each one of her clients.

Keep ReadingShow less

A rendering of the aerial view of Lynn Wyatt Square

THE DOWNTOWN THEATER District is about to experience a transformation, with the long anticipated grand opening of Lynn Wyatt Square for the Performing Arts (LWS). Located within a “square” created by Texas avenue and Capitol, Smith and Louisiana streets, and flanked north and east by the Alley Theatre and Jones Hall, the beautifully designed, $26.5 million green space has it all: a flexible performance lawn for concerts, a cascading fountain, one-of-a-kind rockers and tête-à-tête seating, and plenty of accessible entries to its promenades and gardens. Wyatt made a $10 million gift toward the project, and Downtown Redevelopment Authority, Houston First, and numerous foundations funded the rest. LWS will be fully open to the public beginning Friday, Sept. 22.

Keep ReadingShow less
Art + Entertainment

Duyen and Marc Nguyen

PER THE SPLENDID tradition, Houston Ballet supporters who turned out for Opening Night over the weekend were treated to a fabulous dinner on the Wortham stage after the lavish production.

Keep ReadingShow less
Parties