Art League Houston will honor its 2011 Texas Artist of the Year, Mary McCleary at its annual gala on Friday, November 11, 2011 at the Omni Houston Hotel. Patrons of the Year, Victoria and Marshal Lightman, will also be honored for their dedication and generous contributions to Houston's art community.

Objects of Desire, the evening's theme, pays tribute to McCleary's use of the many "ingredients" she uses to create her incredible works of art. A sumptuous three-course seated dinner, art auction featuring over fifty of Texas' finest artists, and dancing to the boisterous sounds of Big Sam's Funky Nation will complete the evening.

In 1983, Art League Houston created the Texas Artist of the Year award as a dynamic annual project documenting Texas art history. ALH was the first organization in the state to develop the award. To date, twenty-eight artists have been honored. Past recipients include Joseph Havel, Keith Carter, Melissa Miller, The Art Guys, Luis Jimenez, Dick Wray, Dixie Friend Gay, Bert L. Long, Jr., Jesús Moroles, Dr. John Biggers, and Dorothy Hood, among others.