Women in the Arts

Last night I was privileged to take part in a reception honoring Women in the Arts.  This was sponsored by the Texas State Conference of the DAR at the historic Julia Ideson library in Houston.

This building originally opened in 1926 and was designed by Ralph Adams Cram who was one of the country's foremost practitioners of Gothic and other revival styles. He also designed the campus plan for Rice Institute (now Rice University), the campus of Princeton University, the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, and St. John the Divine Church in New York City.  The Spanish Renaissance style of the Ideson library is so appropriate our city’s heritage.

This beautiful library recently underwent a $32 million dollar restoration.  The carved woodwork, tiles and murals are gorgeous.

The reception honored professional artists and award winners.  We were asked to bring a few pieces to display. This is the entry to the second floor reading room where the artists’ work was displayed.

And this is the reading room with the original 1926 tables and chairs.

My display

My sweet husband and daughter came to the reception.

Conference co-chairs Anthony Startz & Martha Hirsch presented certificates to all the Women in the Arts honorees.

Group photo of the honorees

That's Judy Saks Rosenthal seated in the center.  She was the organizer of the  reception, and a wonderful artist herself.

It was a lovely evening and a real honor for me to take part.