MFAH's Lively Latin American Experience Weekend Brings in a Record $2 Mil — Olé!

Daniel Ortiz
MFAH's Lively Latin American Experience Weekend Brings in a Record $2 Mil — Olé!

Marc and Veronica Adler with Olya and Glen Bucher

THE MUSEUM OF Fine Arts, Houston’s groundbreaking Latin American Art Department celebrated 20 years in style. Its ninth biennial Latin American Experience took place over four days, drawing scores of international gallerists, artists and collectors to the Museum District for lectures, tours and a fabulous fiesta.


The Saturday-night party was the apex of the weekend. More than 400 colorfully dressed gala-goers filtered into the already vibrant Nancy and Rich Kinder Building, decked out with pinks and oranges and palm-print linens courtesy of The Events Company.

Dinner — enchilades rojas, sea bass with mole verde — and dancing to the sounds of Grupo Ka-Che were both fab, of course, but the true highlight of the night was the live auction. Dozens of works by Latin American artists were up for grabs, bringing in an astounding $1.4 million.

The weekend’s total till neared a record-breaking $2 mil, which will go directly to the Latin American Art Department and its research institute to acquire more important works for the museum’s permanent collections.

Jorge and Darlene Perez

Gary Tinterow with honoree Rusty Wortham

Alfredo Crestanello, Andres Castells, Martin Cerruti, Piero Achugarry, Juan Castells

Carlos Cruz Puga and Francisca Novoa (photo by Jacob Power)

Francisco Rivero and Silvia Larrieu

Dario Escobar and Sandra Monterroso

Pablo Henning and Maria Christina Manrique de Henning (photo by Jacob Power)

Sam Gorman, Carolyn Gorman, Jeff Gorman and Michael Dale

Elena Wortham, Pia Wortham and Andrea Wortham

Parties
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

Photo by Lynn Lane

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA’S second fall repertoire production is Gioachino Rossini’s Cinderella. The colorful, commedia dell'arte-inspired production opens Friday, Oct. 25, and stars Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard — a breathtaking brunette beauty, even when doused in soot — in bel canto role of Angelina, known to her mean step-sisters as “Cenerentola.”

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

BRETT MILLER WAS just 10 years old when his parents took him to a screening of the 1925 silent film, The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney as “The Phantom” of the Paris Opera House, with an accompanying soundtrack played live by an organist. The film contains one of the most famous “reveals” on celluloid (We won’t give it away!) and is all the more shocking when accompanied by live music played on the Phantom’s favorite instrument.

Keep Reading Show less