Art+Culture

Bill Arning Promotes “Fearless” Artists with New Montrose Gallery

The former CAMH director opens his eponymous art space next month.

Bill Arning Promotes “Fearless” Artists with New Montrose Gallery

The director of Contemporary Art Museum Houston for nearly 10 years, Bill Arning will soon open his own gallery in the building formerly home to Acadian Bakery in Montrose.

Arning's 35-year career — spanning roles at all levels, from administrator to fundraiser and curator to critic — was built upon supporting the ideas and art-makers occupying the feminist, queer, political and “generally fearless" space. “Houston has a terrific history of supporting galleries that mix well known artists with quirky cult figures and emerging regional makers," said Arning in a statement, noting that he feels strongly that it is his duty to bring independent artists to the forefront of the city's arts landscape. “My sensibilities similarly run from the margins to the main street, making Houston the perfect place to mount an unparalleled program."

Bill ArningBill Arning

Bill Arning Exhibitions (604 W. Alabama St.) mounts its first show Oct. 7, featuring the work of Jerusalem-born, Berlin-based Roey Victoria Heifetz, a transgender woman whose drawings depict the pressures and realities of aging as a female. It is Heifetz's first solo show in the U.S.

The gallery, designed New York's AHL&CO and Houston architect Michael T. Landrum, will offer individual by-appointment showings as well as a unique digital platform.

Art+Culture
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Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

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Children’s Museum Supporters Go Goth-Glam at Million-Dollar Gala

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THE CORINTHIAN WAS the scene for a haunted happening benefiting Children’s Museum Houston. The decidedly adult bash was filled with dark allure, gothic glamour, and generosity to the tune of $1.14 million, the second-highest total in the event’s history.

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‘You’re the Inspiration’: Generous Donors Give $6.2 Mil to Kids’ Charity as Famous Band Takes Stage

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Morris Smith, Tilman Fertitta and Toni Smith

THE HOUSTON CHILDREN'S Charity gala is always anticipated, thanks to the big-deal musical acts brought in to entertain; this year it was Chicago. But the headliners this year were the generous donors, who seemed to surprise even event organizer with their largesse, with a total till of $6.2 million, a record.

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