Event Date: October 25, 2026
Location: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston / The Caroline Wiess Law Building
Event: Gala
Beneficiary: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
No. in attendance: 275
Monies raised: $2,062,000
Chairpersons: Polly and Murry Bowden
Underwriters: Polly and Murry Bowden, Hildebrand Fund, Nancy and Rich Kinder, Schnitzer Family
Cherie and Jim Flores, Lynne and Joe Hudson, Jan and J. Venn Leeds Grand Gala Ball Operating Endowment, Fayez Sarofim & Co. and Susan D. Sarofim
Photography: Jenny Antill and Wilson Parish
An Artist’s 650,000 LEGO Bricks Inspired MFAH Grand Gala Ball’s “Fall for Color”
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), celebrated in grand style at its annual Grand Gala Ball. “Fall for Color,” the event’s theme, is a magnificent work of art inspired by Ai Weiwei’s Water Lilies #4, currently on display in the Nancy and Rich Kinder Building. This prodigious work reinterprets Claude Monet’s famed water lily triptych and is composed of 650,000 LEGO® bricks in 22 colors, mounted on aluminum.
Chairs (and Premier Sponsors) Polly and Murry Bowden, and Premier Sponsors Hildebrand Fund, Nancy and Rich Kinder, and the Schnitzer Family were overjoyed by the 275 guests who attended to experience the evening’s colorful joys.
The sense of arrival began as guests were welcomed into a tent draped in pale blue, accompanied by the harmonious sounds of the Dallas String Quartet. As they sipped cocktails, the pastel palette offered a preview of the evening’s “Fall for Color!” attractions.
Ai Weiwei’s vivid world beckoned the crowd to dinner, as The Events Company’s colorful ambiance of jewel-toned linens and vibrant warm-colored florals in reds, oranges and pinks set the tone beneath a glass water lily-style chandelier.
Catering newcomer Bastion Events handled the evening’s cuisine with ease. Delights such as chilled corn velouté with crab, slow-cooked sea bass and chocolate-orange gateau were served for the enjoyment of those dining.
As the evening drew to a close, the Grand Gala Ball wrapped up another successful fundraising campaign, raising $2,062,000 to support its ongoing efforts.
In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned): Anne Duncan, Franci Neely, Joan Schnitzer, Lynne and Joe Hudson, Margaret Alkek Williams, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, Kathy and Marty Goossen, Susanne and Bill Pritchard, Nancy and Butch Abendshein, Steve and Shelli Lindley, Leigh and Reggie Smith, Lexi Marek, Brittany and Kevin Kushner, Lily and Johnathan Schnitzer, Lane and Jeb Bowden, Dan and Kristen Zimmerman, Jenna Lindley, Matthew and Jayme Lindley, Kyle and Claire Walstad, Asasia and Jerod Pierce
