A Starry Night: A-List Crowd Toasts Debut of Van Gogh Experience

Quy Tran
A Starry Night: A-List Crowd Toasts Debut of Van Gogh Experience

Natalie Varnum and Jacqueline Long

A CELEB-STUDDED crowd turned out to toast the grand opening of the highly anticipated Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit, which debuted in a custom-built warehouse in West Houston on Wednesday night.


The 200 guests first gathered in a courtyard erected outside the venue, which will soon be dubbed Lighthouse Artspace. Everyone wanted their pic taken in front of the sunflower-bedecked yellow pickup, turmeric-tinged signature cocktail in hand.

Impact Museums' Diana Rayzman and Vito Iaia, who helped produce the exhibit, and Council Member Amy Peck were among those who gave remarks before a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. Then, at last, art-loving Houstonians — including Brian Ching, Chester Pitts, Kam Franklin, Donkeeboy, Jess and Betty Tutor, and Scott and Jana Arnoldy — poured into the bright blue warehouse, ready to take in the full experience.

Once inside the main room, folks claimed their spot within socially distanced circles, and were dazzled by the 35-minute show. For more on the exhibit, click here.

Kam Franklin, Donkeeboy, and Sylvia Roman

Lauren and Kyle Courville

Miya Shay and Laurette Veres

LaToya and Chester Pitts and family

Jessica Rifanburg and Alessandra Madrid

Amy Johnston and Carrie Evans

Megumi Hoshi and Whitney Mercilus

Scott and Jana Arnoldy and Betty and Jess Tutor

The evening's colorful signature cocktail

Schuyler and Sarah Pappas

Giselle and Patrick Piller

Parties
Duos, Trios and Teams: ‘Mutual Respect and Trust’ Key at M Penner

Murry & Karen Penner

HOW DID THIS duo come about? We’re a husband-and-wife team in a family business. We met in 5th grade at Kolter Elementary School and became lifelong friends. For the record, we didn’t start dating until a few years later — and we just celebrated our 40th anniversary!

Keep Reading Show less

Sylvia Casares

MANY OF THE city’s who’s-who gathered at the city’s buzziest venue to toast Houston CityBook’s 2024 “Leaders & Legends,” presented by The Village of River Oaks.

Keep Reading Show less
Food+Travel

Blake and Dana Fertitta with Belle and Zoe

CITIZENS FOR ANIMAL Protection (CAP) is having a very merry holiday season, having raised a record-breaking $1 million at its annual gala in November.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties