Museum of Fine Arts Houston Celebrates Art of the Islamic Worlds Gala 

By Jennifer Roosth Photography by Priscilla Dickson and Wilson Parish

THE SETTING: Over 375 guests arrived at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston for the biennial Art of the Islamic Worlds gala held in Cullinan Hall. The Events Company elegantly set the tables with navy shantung silk linens, acrylic ghost chairs, and delicate, white floral arrangements artfully comprised of orchids, calla lilies, and hydrangeas.. Complementing this year’s theme of Under One Moon, projections of the night sky with a prominent moon, which continually transformed from full to crescent throughout the evening, were also displayed on the walls surrounding the seated dinner.
THE STYLE: After MFAH Director, Gary Tinterow, made the welcoming remarks, City Kitchen served a delectable three-course seated dinner. For dessert, guests enjoyed a trio of a rose-petal rice pudding shooter, an apricot bar with black cherry, anise, and candied ginger compote, and a bittersweet chocolate and soft cardamom truffle with pistachio crumble, cinnamon-scented mascarpone, and an espresso cookie. Entertainment during dinner was provided by a special performance by Ziya Azazi: Dervish in Progress. Following dinner, guests danced the night away to the sounds of DJ Senega.
THE PURPOSE: This year’s gala raised a total of $945.000 through ticket sales and donations. Members of the Executive Gala Committee served as hosts of the black-tie event, including Rania Daniel, Zeina Fares, Vahid Kooros, Sima Ladjevardian, Sultana Mangalji, Franci Neely, Cenk Ozdogan, Sabiha Rehmatulla, Aliyya Stude, and Monsour Taghdisi, along with underwriters The Honorable and Mrs. Hushang Ansary, Jaleh and Bruce Sallee, Rania and Jamal Daniel, and Mona and Andrew Sarofim.