A Star Studded Rothko Chapel Visionary Awards Gala with Tilda Swinton, Lynn Wyatt and Wes Anderson

All eyes were eagerly waiting at the reception area to get a glimpse of the theater and cinema icon, Tilda Swinton and award winning director Wes Anderson at the Visionary Awards Gala hosted on May 29, at Houston Country Club by the Rothko Chapel. The Rothko does not host a gala every year, it is not an annual affair but a very special occasion as it marked 50 years since John and Dominique de Menil commissioned Mark Rothko to create a sacred place, a threshold of the divine.

Rothko Chapel was thrilled to present the Visionary Award to the inimitable Tilda Swinton, a creative force of international acclaim. “For over 25 years my friend Tilda has forged a career that transcends conventional boundaries, integrating theater, film, art, and fashion. We are also delighted that native Houstonian and acclaimed director Wes Anderson was here to introduce Tilda,” shares Lynn Wyatt, Rothko Chapel Cultural Ambassador and Gala Chair.

Wes Anderson, Lynn Wyatt, Tilda Swinton

It was my honor to get an exclusive interview with the very talented Tilda Swinton and Wes Anderson at the VIP reception, and it was admirable to watch these Hollywood personalities graciously mix and mingle with the guests. Dr. Sippi Khurana, a first time attendee of the gala was not just delighted by the work of Rothko Chapel but overjoyed to chat with the actress who signed an autograph for her son Shaan.

“Houston is like a heart’s home and it is an honor to be honored by this house, the Rothko Chapel is a sacred space,” says Tilda Swinton. As I spoke to her about her travels, she expressed that a trip to India was on the top of her list and Swinton is also eager to know more about Houston. “I visit Houston for my friends and to be honest don’t know much about Houston, but I can tell it is a thriving city with great culture, everyone doing their own thing and doing it successfully,” says Tilda.

Lady Amanda Harlech, Jerry Stafford

It was a sophisticated evening with 250 guests dressed elegantly, each of them having a connection with either the chapel or the actors. It was heartwarming to hear the story of Ula, an ardent fan of Wes Anderson and his works, whose daughter raised $500 to be able to gift her mom with a gala ticket. Then there was the Chanel prime table with Lady Amanda Harlech (muse to Karl Lagerfeld), who looked gorgeous in a tulle feathered gown by Lagerfeld.

This glamorous evening included: Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Gayle DeGeurin, Steve Wyatt, Tatiana and Craig Massey, Judy Nyquist, Jonathan Sugai, Simran Rihal, Diane Lokey Farb, Marc and Duyen Huynh, Dr. Sippi Khurana, Rothko Chapel executive director Emilee Whitehurst, Adrianne Poyet Smith, Susan de Menil (wife of Francois de Menil), and many others.

The party continued later outside the ballroom with cigars, macaroons and live music.