I remember two things about Tavola from my first visit to the Italian restaurant on Post Oak Blvd: paintings by Texas women on the walls, and the pale pink lighting scheme which made for really flattering photos.
This was roughly 36 months ago, during a rodeo-themed luncheon hosted by Tootsies. Cypress-born, Houston-based Southern Kindness gallery owner Magen Pastor had curated Tavola’s artwork. Her selections cast a feminine energy across the dining room.
So when the Bastion Collection’s Ashley Calandra asked if I would consider hosting my own ladies’ luncheon in Tavola’s light-filled loggia, I accepted on one condition: could we invite Untitled Art Houston director, Michael Slenske, to visit with us and answer a few questions?
Featured artist Reagan Corbett and Untitled Art Houston director Michael Slenske at the Bastion Collection’s lunch with Untitled Art Houston director Michael Slenske. (Shane Dante/Shane Dante Photography)
In my defense, there were pre-existing synergies. The Bastion Collection also owns and operates Houston’s Michelin-starred Le Jardinier; in total, the hospitality group counts 11 stars. It’s also one of the sponsors of Untitled Art Houston and will host the fair’s closing party for exhibitors.
Next month, Bastion Collection and its catering arm Café Natalie will join forces to launch Bastion Events. Moon, a celestial-inspired cocktail bar, and Soleil, a private events venue, are slated to open above Tavola later this fall.
HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: First look: Inside the George R. Brown Convention Center transformation into Untitled Art Houston
I knew that many of my art-loving friends had some queries about Untitled Art coming to Houston. Why did organizers select George R. Brown? What would parking be like? How in the heck was Houston chosen as a second outpost for the Miami founded fair?
On Wednesday, more than 30 of us gathered midday with our reporter hats on. There were art gallery owners and Untitled Art Houston exhibitors, museum staffers. art advisory consultants, collectors, painters and performing arts non-profit executive officers.
Some of us wore pink to match Tavola’s aesthetic. I tapped floral wizard Nina Paternina of Amor Del Bueno to create flower sculptures around the room.
The luncheon table at Tavola for a luncheon hosted by the Bastion Collection. (Shane Dante/Shane Dante Photography)
After a swig or two of tequila courage, Slenske was ready to face us. To his credit, the man did wear rose colored glasses.
“The boutique version of Houston is Untitled,” Slenske began.
Eyebrows were immediately raised. This town isn’t used to being an intimate iteration of anything. We have an “everything is bigger in Texas” mentality around here.
“It started in 2013 on the shores of South Beach, which was kind of a crazy idea,” he admitted. “But 35 countries were represented last year.”
Untitled Art Houston opens to the public today with 88 gallery exhibitors.
“Untitled is what we’re proud to call an ‘artists’ fair,'” Slenske added.
Painter Elizabeth Waggett raised her hand with earnest. “Who are you most excited about in Houston?” she asked.
He replied without missing a beat: “Betty Moody.”
The first event he attended after touching down in Houston the previous weekend was an event celebrating Moody Gallery’s 50th anniversary. Programming includes back-to-back exhibitions through December; “Part I” opened Sept. 13.
“What was the reaction from galleries when you suggested Houston?” collector Natalie Steen asked.
Slenske paused. “I’m not going to sugar coat it. People asked me, ‘Why didn’t you choose an art capital? And I told them, ‘I don’t understand the question.,'” he said. “I’m thinking of the big shifts around the Cannes Film Festival in the 1970s. The emergence of Judy Chicago. Fifty years later, we’re in another moment to shine a light on arts again like that.”
“How is (this) going to be different from Miami?” asked collector and Houston Symphony board member Devorah Rose.
“Well, it’s going to twice the size as Miami,” Slenske said.
Murmurs and light applause rippled through the crowd.
“Who is Untitled for?” I asked. It was a question my editors and I had ruminated over for weeks.
“It’s for everyone,” Slenske said. “Because people want to slow down. They want something different. I hope they to do it at least once off their phones to take it all in. And then a second time to buy. Because we want people to buy.”
And after two trips downtown for the Untitled Art Houston VIP preview and party on Thursday, I’m happy to report that parking around the George R. Brown wasn’t all that bad.
Houston Grand Opera general director and CEO Khori Dastoor with Tori Monet and Kelly Frye at the Bastion Collection’s lunch with Untitled Art Houston director Michael Slenske. (Shane Dante/Shane Dante Photography)
Tara Martin at Tavola for a luncheon hosted by the Bastion Collection. (Shane Dante/Shane Dante Photography)
The Bastion Collection’s Ashley Calandra addresses the room at Tavola for a luncheon hosted by the Bastion Collection. (Shane Dante/Shane Dante Photography)
Collectively founder and Untitled Art Houston host committee member Winnie Scheuer Bonebrake and Maggie Jenkins at Tavola for a luncheon hosted by the Bastion Collection. (Shane Dante/Shane Dante Photography)
Natalie Steen at Tavola for a luncheon hosted by the Bastion Collection. (Shane Dante/Shane Dante Photography)
Gillian Sarofim and Miller Pierce at Tavola for a luncheon hosted by the Bastion Collection. (Shane Dante/Shane Dante Photography)
The scene at Tavola for a luncheon hosted by the Bastion Collection. (Shane Dante/Shane Dante Photography)
Artist Elizabeth Waggett and art consultant Katharine Barthaleme at Tavola for a luncheon hosted by the Bastion Collection. (Shane Dante/Shane Dante Photography)
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston retail director Chris Goins and art consultant Illa Gaunt at Tavola for a luncheon hosted by the Bastion Collection. (Shane Dante/Shane Dante Photography)
Floral sculptures by Amor Del Bueneo at the Bastion Collection’s lunch with Untitled Art Houston director Michael Slenske. (Amber Elliott/for the Chronicle)
