FestEve! 2024 "Art Is Magical!"

In this issue

Celebrate FestEve! 2024 on September 28

Meet the Honorees

Jubilee Quilt Circle Workshop

Public Art Report

Subscribe to CAC YouTube Channel

The Collective's Gift Shop

Jubilee Quilt Circle

Ticket Information

Sponsorship Levels

More Details

FestEve! 2024 "Art Is Magical"

The Collective will wield its magic wand Saturday, September 28, to create a magical evening of entertainment and pleasure for its Festive! 2024 evening at the Hobby Center, 800 Bagby, in downtown Houston.

Emcees Makaela Reed, visionary theater maker and culture creator, and Andrew “Risky Cereal” Evans, music and film video producer and co-owner of All Real Radio, will present the magical evening, showcasing the talents of dancers, musicians, a magician, spoken word, a jazz combo and more. Guests also will be able to participate in interactive art engagement activities.

En Pointe Dance Academy

The evening, which begins at 6 p.m. with a VIP reception, will feature works of art, performing artists, live and silent auctions, dinner and refreshments.

Former Mayor Sylvester Turner is honorary chair of the event, and H-E-B’s Winell Herron and artist Ann Johnson are co-chairs.

H-E-B is the presenting sponsor of the event.

Houston Jazz Collective: Photo Credit Joe Peine

Honorary Chair and Co-Chairs

From left: Honorary Chair Sylvester Turner; Co-Chairs Winell Herron and Ann Johnson

The Silent Auction is Open!

Meet the FestEve! 2024 Honorees

From left: Kristi Rangel, Robbie Lee, Jan West

Robbie Lee launched the first successful commercial African American art galleries in Houston in 1977. Her Black Heritage Gallery carried the works of Brenda Joyce Smith, Dr. John Biggers, Bert Long, Earlie Hudnall, Jr., David McGhee and Harvey Johnson, giving the community an opportunity to meet them and a chance to build collections of original works by some of these artists early in their careers. She encouraged people to collect and invest in original paintings, drawings, sculpture, prints and cultural collectibles rather than items lacking in potential value. The Gallery also added a top quality in-store frame shop in 1979. Gerald Semien, a talented and skilled framer, joined the gallery. The gallery also provided a forum for Robbie to support numerous organizations like the UNCF, the NAACP and the Urban League through fundraiser donations and advice. She was a resource in setting upauctions, evaluating works of art and organizing art sales for the community. She curated the art displayed throughout the then new TSU Radio Station building, KTSU, and its recording studio and curated the art displayed on the walls of the Mabrie Mortuary, as well as many offices and homes in the local community. Somewhat retired now, Robbie has assisted others in starting galleries and assisted artists in the proper care and business management of their art.

Kristi Rangel is a Houston-based, self-taught multi-disciplinary artist who brings to her artistic practice the passion and dedication to community honed by her many years as an educational, public health and government leader. Starting her artistic phase later in life means she brings some interesting insights to her work and a different perspective. Her paintings have been exhibited at the Jung Center, the Rice University Moody Center and the City of Houston City Hall. Kristi is currently the lead facilitator and curator of the “Witness Series,” an interactive public art experience that explores the many profound experiences communities of color have to the land of Southeast Texas. She is a painter who takes her work beyond the canvas through interactive public art experiences designed to bring communities together. These experiences incorporate dynamic, participatory talks, art, hikes, bird walks and other experiences that create wonder and awe for their participants. She is in the planning phase of the fourth year of the Witness Series, as well as pursuing opportunities to exhibit her work and creating new works.

For over 35 years, Jan West has worked at Rice University, serving as assistant director of admissions from 1973 to 1977, then as employment manager until 1992 and now as assistant director in Multicultural Community Relations in Public Affairs. Over the years, students and alumni have credited her with supporting and encouraging them as they navigated their way through college and life. In 2016, Rice’s Board of Trustees recognized her for untiring dedication to the university and service to its Black students, alumni and community. Most recently, Jan served on the Rice University Task Force on Slavery, Segregation and Racial Injustice, an intensive four-year project of research programming, and assessment of these aspects of the university’s history. She is a1972 honors graduate of Rice with a B.A. degree in psychology. Jan’s grandmothers introduced her to the joys that come with service and the magic in a world graced by the arts. Jan acknowledges that “creating visual artistry is not one of her strengths.” However, through her volunteer work with The Collective, supporting those who do is her way to help release the magic of the many artists that The Collective has nurtured and developed over the years.

(Note venue change)

Public Art Report The Park at Palm Center

The Collective collaborates with artists and architects to design and develop artistic features at various sites in the greater Houston area to serve diverse communities. This project is at the Park at Palm Center on Griggs Road.

These photos from a recent walk through show the wonderful work done by Kim Lakes, Booker Lakes, Cedric Douglas and others to actualize Jesse Lott’s concept for the entryways. Much of the preliminary work was done in The Collective's space in the Bermac building.

The OST/Almeda Management Authority is planning a formal reopening of the park in the near future.

We’ve never won an Oscar,

an Emmy, a Tony or a Golden Globe,

but we have some pretty good stories to tell you on YouTube. Check out what we’re doing in the community to increase art education and appreciation and how we support many talented artists and crafts folks. Our videos include workshops, artist interviews and exhibition tours. We invite you to visit our channel and subscribe.

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