The newly minted Almquists savor a romantic and intimate “last dance” amid the chandeliers at the end of their reception.
A detail of one of Conley's new metal sculptures
Since then, Conley hasn’t stopped working. Far from it. This past summer, she had a gallery show at Rockport Center for the Arts, public art displayed at 800 and 820 Gessner buildings in Memorial City, and was part of a group exhibit at Lee College. On Friday, Sept. 20, Houstonians who have been missing Conley should head over to ELLIO Fine Art for Lost and Found, a solo exhibit of Conley’s small and large free-standing bronze, stainless steel, and cast iron sculptures, wall installations and text pieces.
Conley says this new collection ”explores connection, movement, and the passage of time.” In keeping with these themes, some sculptures are mounted on the walls, others hang from nails, and one is suspended (securely) from the gallery’s ceiling. Included in Lost and Found are half-formed sentences and fragments of language, ranging from hoary aphorisms to head-scratching verses (“I Can’t Hear You With Your Pants On”) that Conley has written in wax and then cast in bronze.
While the exhibit’s title may also refer to the dues an artist pays to realize their potential, the installation of so much work within a relatively small space is a pleasure to navigate and feels as free as Conley’s imagination. Remember that blow torch? Well, Lost and Found will have you admiring how Conley can turn such unforgiving alloys into complex shapes and patterns filled with alchemical energy that seem to dance before your eyes.
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In addition to an exciting raffle — which featured five sweepstakes packages! — the live auction made serious waves. Beck & Masten Buick GMC donated two (two!) 2024 GMC Hummer EVs, and each one went for $130,000.
The funds raised go not only to cancer research, but also to programs dedicated to helping patients and their families navigate the diagnosis and treatment, which is often costly and emotionally draining. For example, Hope Lodge is a place where patients can stay at no cost to them for the duration of treatment. Abbigail Guana has been a resident there since May, and sent a video message emphasizing the importance of access to care. After that, a special paddle raise took place, and names of those who donate $1,000 or more during the event will be commemorated on a special plaque accompanying a custom piece of art by Taft McWhorter.
The evening's musical entertainment was dynamic, with Demola the Violinist welcoming galagoers with electric-violin versions of country hits. And country hitmakers Easton Corbin and Roger Creager got everyone out on the dance floor!
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