Over the Moon at the Museum of Fine Arts Islamic Worlds Gala

Honoring the Museum’s collection of art of the Islamic worlds, the black-tie affair drew a crowd of 375 elite Houstonians who helped raise a staggering $945,000 through ticket sales and donations. Known as one of the must go-to events of the year, the Gala hopes to raise funds to promote the diverse artistic traditions of Islamic lands. The Museum’s Islamic exhibit’s goal is to reflect the regional, chronological, and material diversity of these traditions from the earliest period to modern day.

Patrons purchased some very rare and unique items for the Museum’s permanent collection including a Huqqa Base with Landscape Scene, India, Deccan, mid-17th century Bidriware, inlaid with silver and brass, and a Huqqa Base with Floral Design, India, Deccan, mid-17th century Bidriware, inlaid with silver and brass. The Cover (bohça) was also acquired during the event by the Guild, the Museum’s volunteer organization, in celebration of the group’s 40th anniversary.

This year’s theme was “Under One Moon,” and was complimented by projections of the night sky and a prominent moon, which continually waxed and waned throughout the evening on the walls surrounding the seated dinner. City Kitchen prepared the three-course seated dinner, who’s main dish was a duo of grilled lamb loin with caramelized shallot and coriander glace atop saffron rice pilaf with almonds, and pan-roasted sea bass in bitter orange and grape sauce served with asparagus.

Entertainment included a special performance by Ziya Azazi: Dervish in Progress, and was followed by dancing to the sounds of DJ Senega.

Notable guests included Jaleh and Bruce Sallee, Mehrnaz and Ned Gill, Rania Daniel, Francoise and Ed Djerejian, Alma Kombargi, Janwa and Suhail Sikhtian, Mona and Andrew Sarofim, Janie and Daniel Zilkha, Catherine and Cenk Ozgodan, Monsour Taghdisi and Henry Richardson, Niousha and Ali Ansari, Tony Chase and Dina Al Sowayel, Daniela and Monolo Sanchez, Lamia and Samer Danial, Sima Ladjevardian, Sabiha Rehmatulla, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Jack and Leslie Blanton, Marty and Kathy Goossen, David Leebron and Ping Sun, Elyse Lanier, Aliyya Stude, Lily and Hamid Kooros, Iraj and Fariba Taghi, Maureen and Adel Chaouch, Diana and Chase Untermeyer, Rishma and Akbar Mohamed, Fay and Salim Zakhem.