Houston Royalty and His Legacy Honored at MFAH Grand Gala Ball

Houston Royalty and His Legacy honored at MFAH Grand Gala Ball

The life and legacy of Houston royalty was on display at the 2022 Museum of Fine Arts Houston’s Grand Gala Ball, as the late Fayez Sarofim was celebrated and honored by 475 formally attired guests. Over his lifetime, Egyptian-born Fayez, nicknamed “The Sphinx,” assembled a collection of more than 125 works of art from American and European artists, including John Copley, Frederic Church, Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent, Stuart Davis, Georgia O’Keeffe, Mark Rothko, Alexander Calder, Willem de Kooning, Lee Krasner, Robert Rauschenberg and David Smith, to name a few. This rare compilation will be on extended loan to the Museum—but this evening—the event’s walls adorned his masterworks for those attending to enjoy.

Famed Houston event designer The Events Company took Sarofim’s personal taste and style into account as the décor was brought to life in his memory. Decorative floral walls, wall sconces and navy drapes, peach-colored linens, peach and white chair cushions on silver chivari chairs, blue hydrangeas, pink roses, and coral peonies were presented for everyone’s delight.

Houston caterer City Kitchen was designated with the task of designing the menu, which reflected and was inspired by Fayez’s favorite dishes. Miniature BLT sandwiches, vegetable spring rolls, and Oysters Ernie were followed by lobster salad, a roasted striploin with morel mushroom cream sauce, Risotto Milanese,  and haricots verts. A delectable dessert of mixed berry tart and vanilla ice cream were topped with a port reduction drizzle and candied ginger. Late-night bites were also provided, paying homage to a Sarofim personal favorite, Whataburger.

The Sarofim Family including Christopher and Courtney Sarofim, Allison Sarofim and Patrick Seabase, Andrew and Mona Sarofim, Phillip Sarofim and Christy Cham were Honorary Chairs and Underwriters for this gala, along with The Sarofim Foundation. Also lending financial underwriting support were Hildebrand Fund, Nancy and Rich Kinder, Fayez Sarofim & Co., Mrs. Fayez S. Sarofim, Joan W. Schnitzer, Ellen and Charles Sheedy, Joan and Steve Smith, Duration Asset Management, Mrs. Raye G. White, Laura and John Arnold; Whitney and Jim Crane, Anne S. Duncan, Cherie and Jim Flores, Frank and Michelle Hevrdejs, Lynne and Joe Hudson, Mrs. Cornelia C. Long, Lisa and Will Mathis, Margaret Alkek Williams, Randa and Charles Williams, Anne and Albert Chao, Jane and Bill Curtis and Vallette and Russell Windham, JPMorgan Chase, Alfred C. Glassell, III, Nicole and Evan H. Katz, Ytterberg Deery Knull LLP, J. Venn Leeds, Jr., Isabel and Ransom Lummis, Franci Neely, Susanne and Bill Pritchard, River Oaks District, Aliyya Stude, Sotheby’s, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, and Nina and Michael Zilkha.

The total raised to benefit the operating budget of MFAH and care for the collection of Fayez S. Sarofim was over $2.3 million—a legendary sum to reflect the legendary life of this truly legendary man.

Socially present (not previously mentioned):  Lisa and Will Mathis, Ellen and Charles Sheedy, Joan and Steve Smith, Elyse Lanier, Carol and Mike Linn, Lynne and Joe Hudson, Martha and Sean Wade, Kitch Taub, Adam Lippes, Sara Dodd-Denton and Will Denton, Leigh and Reggie Smith, Anne and Albert Chao, Nicole and Evan Katz, Paula and Reginald DesRoches, Ann and Karl Stern, Amy and Gentry Lee, Meredith Flores Barker and Mason Barker, Isla and Tommy Reckling, Macey and Harry Reasoner, Aliyya and Herman Stude, Nancy and Butch Abendshein, Marty and Kathy Goossen, Polly and Murry Bowden, Ann and John Bookout, Jay Jones and Terry Wayne Jones, Veronika and Marc Adler, Lily Schnitzer and Johnathan Schnitzer, Kaki Schnitzer and Douglas Schnitzer, Alanna Flores, Lexi Sakowitz Marek, Phoebe Massey Cholnolky and TJ Cholnolky, Laura and Keefer Lehner, Lauren and Max Barrett, and Susie and Payson Tucker