CELEBRATE THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS WITH MARK ROBERTS
Mark Roberts, the “King of Christmas” and one of the country’s largest and most admired creator of collectible Fairies, Santas and Elves,
will be at Interiors Market in Sugar Land on Sunday, July 19, from 1 p.m. to 4
p.m. during his 2009 National Signing Tour. Mark Roberts has committed an
amazing amount of time and money over the years to charitable causes that are
dear to his heart.
For more than 12 years Roberts has been designing and creating magical fairies
and elves.
Based upon inspiration from his mother’s childhood tales of fairies of all sorts to her pushing Mark to realize the
only boundaries to success were inside his own head, Roberts
’ designs have swept the nation and world with collectors in all 50 states and
some 20 different countries. What started out as an extremely small part of his
company has now grown to become a huge part of his work. The company
’s signature Fairies, Santas and Elves tell the stories that every child hears
and provides inspiration for the creation of new fantasies and fables. Roberts
also has a designer line of timely, yet timelessly, designed home accessories
in a mixture of mediums, adding a touch of whimsy to each item.
Another inspiration Roberts got from his mother is his ongoing support of
worthwhile causes.
“My mother regularly instilled in all of my siblings the importance of living the
Gospel by helping those less fortunate than ourselves,
” Roberts said. Since 2005, Roberts has dedicated profits from certain of his
designs to worthwhile causes.
This year, he is supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrfcure.org) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org). Mark Roberts is embarking on a 20-city tour this year, promoting these
designs along with signing consumers
’ purchases while meeting collectors. For more information, contact Interiors
Market at 281-980-2070 or
www.interiorsmarkettx.com.
summer exhibits at houston center for contemporary craft
This summer, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft presents two exhibitions that
challenge the traditional uses of wood, textiles and other materials, while
celebrating the subversive and unexpected.
Challenge VII: dysFUNctional (in the large gallery) showcases contemporary wood art, sculpture, photos,
installation art and videos that subvert and satirize function. Artists from
all over the world were asked to explore and interpret ideas of function and
dysfunction in this dynamic juried show. The works presented evoke a sense of
humor, fun, curiosity and suspicion
—ranging from a prickly chair to a set of dinosaur-like spoons and many other
imaginative creations.
Unknitting: Challenging Textile Traditions (in the small gallery) highlights the work of four artists who are advancing and
questioning established textile traditions. By addressing stereotypes of gender
and challenging the domestic-based, utilitarian objects that are typical of the
knitted crafts, the work of these artists completely upends tradition.
An opening reception will be held on July 17 from 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is located at 4848 Main Street and is
open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. HCCC will be
closed on Sundays during July and August. For more information, call
713-529-4848 or go to
www.crafthouston.org.
42nd street, july 9-14
The Tony Award winning 42nd Street marks Theatre Under The Stars’ 42nd summer of free performances set for July 9-14 at 8:15 p.m. at Miller
Outdoor Theatre.
Set on Broadway during the Great Depression, 42nd Street is the classic backstage tale of aspiring actress and small-town girl, Peggy
Sawyer, who finds love and success on the Great White Way. Cast as a chorus
girl, Peggy finds herself replacing the star of the show on opening night.
Rienzi’s weekly family art workshops, july 12, 19, 26
Rienzi’s Weekly Family Art Workshops will be held on July 12, 19 and 26 at Reinzi, 1406
Kirby Drive from 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Join in one or all three Family Art Workshops that lead children through a
creative journey, authoring a short story (July 12), creating an illustrated
art book (July 19) and animating a story through puppetry (July 26).
These workshops are recommended for ages 6-12. Admission is $5 for adults and
free for children 12 and under. Call 713-639-7800 to reserve a spot.
detective days at bayou bend
collection and gardens
There’s a mystery afoot at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens this summer. Located a
few blocks away from Memorial Park, Bayou Bend has 14 acres of woodlands and
gardens for summer sleuths age 6 and older to explore. Each month there will be
a new mystery to solve.
Go on a self-guided outdoor detective adventure with educational themes ranging
from plants and trees to sculpture and architecture. Beginning Aug. 4, guests
can also go on an indoor detective adventure inside the historic mansion filled
with antique treasures from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Hours are:10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday; 1 p.m.-4 p.m., Sunday; and closed on
Monday. Detective Days admission is free for children 12 and under and $5 for
anyone 13 and older. Children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
the gallery at louis shanks hosts poppies, july 9-20
The Gallery at Louis Shanks will host an opening night reception of Poppies, the first Houston exhibition of works by renowned artist M.S. Park,on July 9
from 6 p.m.-8 p .m.
Park’s trademark style of serene nature fields filled with beautiful wildflowers is
seen throughout this collection Park began painting at age 26 when he was
encouraged to develop his skill at pencil sketching his beloved seascapes and
garden scenes. Park was formally trained at the I.A.D. Company in 1977. He
quickly became successful with his paintings of lush gardens and woodlands,
full of detail, intense color and deep textures.The exhibition runs through
July 20.
The Gallery at Louis Shanks is Houston’s newest home to fine art, representing the work of mid-career and emerging
artists from the U.S., as well as renowned European artists who have not
received full exposure in the U.S. The artists represented vary greatly in
style, encompassing styles such as impressionism, realism, surrealism to
abstract.
HOUSTON UNDERCOVER - A QUILT SHOW, preview
party, july 23, 24-25
Quilt Guild of Greater Houston is sponsoring “Houston Undercover - A Quilt Show” at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Dr., on July 24-25 from
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $5.
This is a judged quilt show with more than 200 quilts, various vendors, snack
bar, door prizes, donation quilt, quilt appraisal and a children
’s scavenger hunt. Each child will get a prize for participating.
On July 23, the Auction & Preview Night will be held from 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
For more information, go to www.qggh.org or call 979-289-5175.
Start with Art Learn for Life: The MFAH and TAEA Celebrate Youth Art Month, through aug. 2
The Museum Fine Arts Houston is hosting an exhibition of award-winning student
art entitled
Start with Art Learn for Life: The MFAH and TAEA Celebrate Youth Art Month until Aug. 2 at the museum in the Caroline Wiess Law Building.
The exhibition, a collaboration between the MFAH and the Texas Art Education
Association, features 24 works by k-12 grade students from the region who have
been selected as judge
’s choice winners.
