MFAH Grand Gala Ball Celebrates a Perfect Beginning to a Final Addition

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Grand Gala Ball Celebrates a Perfect Beginning to a Final Addition

The final addition to the Susan and Fayez S. Sarofim Campus at the Nancy and Rich Kinder Building at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston was celebrated by 300 finely coiffed and elegantly attired black-tie guests at the annual Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) Grand Gala Ball, where more than a staggering $1.7 million was raised to support the Museum’s annual operating budget. Normally held each year on the first Friday in October, COVID once again rearranged everything. Attendees were excited to be “maskless” and “gala ready” once again, as they enjoyed the familiar surroundings of one of our city’s landmark museums at this always well-attended annual event.

Gary Tinterow, Director of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston welcomed guests and heartfelt remarks from Mayor Sylvester Turner and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Rich Kinder brought a spirited round of applause. Chairpersons Phoebe and Bobby Tudor stated, “As with many things this year, we had to reschedule several times, but the third time was the charm! We knew everybody would be so happy to see each other and reconnect. The mood was happy and excited and this feeling was exactly what we were looking for. The event highlighted architecture, art, beauty and fun, and peonies help set the tone. We knew people would want to attend the first event in the new Kinder Building, which houses the MFAH’s amazing collection of contemporary art. After dinner, the downstairs ambiance was reminiscent of a nightclub, which made guests want to dance again!”

Renowned decorator Richard Flowers and his The Events Company raised the bar with their graceful styling of the room in gray linens, hot pink peonies, and the museum’s cascading staircase was draped in peonies, roses, bougainvillea and orchids.

Socially present:  Nancy and Rich Kinder, Lynn Wyatt, Rose Cullen, Jeanie Kilroy Wilson and Wally Wilson, Anne and Charles Duncan, Ann and John Bookout, Sara and Bill Morgan, Hallie Vanderhider, Sarah and Joel Montgomery, Martha and Sean Wade, Janie and Daniel Zilkha, Susanne and Bill Pritchard, Beth Robertson, Ann Trammell, Ann and Karl Stern, Barron and Lisa Wallace, Lela and Robin Gibbs, Macey and Harry Reasoner, Polly and Murry Bowden, Elise and Russell Joseph, Judy and Charles Tate, Andy Cordes and Brian Teichman, Kelley and Stephen Lubanko, Sharyn and Jim Weaver, Leslie and Brad Bucher, Sara Dodd and Will Denton, Gail and Louis Adler, Cecily Horton, Jenna Anne Lindley and Kristy and Chris Bradshaw