Francophiles Raise funds for Texas French Alliance for the Arts

May 2009

Talk about fostering Franco-American relations. The latest effort in a continuing series from Francophiles John and Becca Cason Thrash came in the form of a glamorous fundraiser held in their art-filled home.

The “Art in the Park” evening began with cocktails in the garden, where 170 guests had a prime view of the Thrashes’ monumental sculpture by acclaimed French artist Bernar Venet. It concluded indoors with a candlelight dinner and art auction that netted more than $200,000. The beneficiary — the Texan-French Alliance for the Arts. The celebrity in house — Venet.

Credit Robert and Cynthia McClain of McClain Gallery for rounding up a stellar collection of auction pieces that ranged from a Venet sculpture to an Andy Warhol portrait of Mick Jagger to a diamond dust skull by Damien Hirst.

Among the high bidders, making Becca’s task as auctioneer a bit less wrenching in these challenging economic times, were Suzanne and Paul Getty, Jana and Richard Fant, Greggory and Patrick Burk, Alicia Smith, and Joyce and Hugh Echols.

Guests paid a minimum $500 per person for the soiree that included dinner from five of the city’s top restaurants. All five chefs — Robert del Grande of RDG Bar Annie, Scott Tycer of Textile, Plinio Sandalio of Textile and Gravitas, Dylan Murray of Benjy’s in the Village and Ryan Pera of the Grove — scurried around the commercial-size Thrash kitchen perfecting every dish.

Adding to the sophistication of the night were representatives of Sotheby’s and Christie’s who had flown in from New York and Los Angeles, including Paul Johnson, former MFAH development director. Collectors in the mix included Doreen and Frank Herzog, Chris and Don Sanders, Carolyn Farb, Melanie Lawson and John Guess Jr., Leigh and Reggie Smith, Leslie and Russ Robinson and City Councilman Peter Brown, who did his part bidding up several items.

During his brief Houston visit, Venet toured the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s Cullen Sculpture Garden, where his 10-ton Vertical Arc was just installed. The Texan-French Alliance for the Arts will feature more of his monumental pieces in an “Art in the Park, Houston” program next fall.

Article written by Shelby Hodge - Houston Chronicle