ART LOVERS SHOWED the new director of the Glassell, Paul Coffey, a warm welcome at the annual benefit and auction, hosted at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's art school on Montrose.

The event homaged the Keep Austin Weird slogan, celebrating the uniqueness and creativity of Houston's art community with a psychedelic array of decor. It's the first big Glassell benefit since pre-Covid, and hundreds of supporters were thrilled to pack the party tent erected on the Brown Foundation Plaza outside of the school.

Dinner was a flavorful spread courtesy of City Kitchen, and a stupendously successful silent auction touted pieces by Glassell faculty, alumni and other local artists. Attendees could bid on and purchase paintings, photos, sculptures, jewelry and more.

Closing out the night was DJ Druw, who spun tunes until the crowd moved upstairs to the Glassell rooftop garden, where a funky after-party was soundtracked by ukulele player Ryan Suzuka.

Sharon Graham and Tom Raith

Amy Purvis, Olya Zuiak and Glen Bucher

Patrick Palmer and Nora and Bob Ackerley

Barbara Koslov, G.G. Hsieh, Jordana Roteman and Geoffrey Koslov

Olya Zuiak and Glen Bucher; Leslie and Brad Bucher

Barbara LeBlanc and Alicia LeBlanc

Jill Johanson and Tara McNeill

Christopher Gardner and Gary Tinterow

Claire and Eric Anyah

Jane Mooney and Gloria Alford

David and Heidi Gerger

DJ Druw

Paul Coffey and Kathy and John Orton

Holly Josey, Michelle Whitney and Marina Fernandez