2025 Montrose Art Party
Art League Houston Raises Record-Breaking $33,038 at 2025 Montrose Art Party to Support Healing Arts Program
HOUSTON, TX — Art League Houston is thrilled to announce that the 2025 Montrose Art Party (MARTY), “A Night at the Movies: Dress as Your Favorite Movie Character!”, was a resounding success—raising a record-breaking $33,038 in support of the organization’s Healing Arts program. The festive event was held on Friday, April 25, at Art League Houston, and brought together a vibrant crowd of art lovers, community members, and cinephiles.
Co-chaired by Catherine D. Anspon, John Mason Walker, and Tyler L. Hough, this year’s MARTY transported guests into the magic of the movies with film-inspired fashion, lively music by DJ YungChris, themed cocktails, and a joyful celebration of art and community.
Now in its 35th year, the Healing Arts program continues to provide a powerful creative outlet for individuals living with chronic illness and physical disabilities. “Healing Arts provides a sense of belonging. The participants put their health issues aside and make art,” shared longtime teaching artist Rebecca Bass. “This program is really about community and friendship.”
This year’s event also honored Lester Marks, one of Houston’s most passionate arts supporters, whose 2024 Collection Auction significantly contributed to the program’s continued success.
The evening featured the beloved Healing Arts Exhibition, where works by program artists were showcased alongside a curated selection of small-gem artworks in a silent auction. Proceeds from the event directly support artist participants and help sustain and grow this vital program.
Art League Houston extends heartfelt thanks to all who attended, donated, and bid in the auction. Your support is helping to ensure that Healing Arts continues to uplift and transform lives through the power of art.
For more information about Healing Arts or to get involved, please visit Healing Arts — Art League Houston
thank YOU, 2025 SPONSORS
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ($7,500)
Scott R. Sparvero
LEADING ROLE ($2,500)
The Probus Law Firm
BEST SUPPORTING ($1,000)
Nima & Jasmine Farzaneh
Kennedy Family Foundation
Michael Golden
Don Mafrige Jr
Lauri & Robert Wray
WRITER ($500)
Toi Anderson
Catherine D. Anspon & John Mason Walker
Sonya Hill Bishop
Minnette Boesel
John Bradshaw
Karen Desenberg
Gustin Law Firm
John Luu
Crystal & Don Owens
Lester & Penelope Marks
Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Katy Schawe
2025 HEALING ART EXHIBITION
ARTISTS: Ramiro Bermudez • Elisa Cammack • Tocarra Carter • Derinda Cay • Julie Cervantes • Cynthia Edmondson • Betty Gonzalez • Readie Hayward • Jan Huff • Edwin Johnston • Lesa Jackson • Eileen Keller Yvonne Kilpatrick • Shirley Konnateh • Jose Luis • Janet Luddington • Byron Mays • Larry McEntire • Rick Nugent • Lillian Roddy • Debra Simms • Lisa Marie Smith • Trinity TriStar Stardust • Russell Wilde
2025 “sMALL gEMS” SILENT aRT AUCTION
ARTISTS: Katy Anderson • Rebecca Bass • James Beard • Susan Budge • Sol Diaz-Peña • DUAL • Preston Gaines • Rachel Gonzales • Michelle Heinesen Anastasia Kirages • Jessica Kreutter • Patrick Medrano • Venessa Monokian • McKay Otto • Mitch Pengra • Susan Plum • Cary Reeder • Hugo Regan • Corey Sherrard Jr • Emily Sloan • Gerardo Velasquez • Sarah Welch • Doug Welsh + more!
Support the Cause: Become a Sponsor
This year, our goal is to raise $35,000 in honor of 35 years of Healing Art! Your sponsorship will directly support this life-changing program and its artists. Choose a sponsorship level and help us make a lasting impact:
Each sponsorship tier offers unique opportunities to support program needs while receiving prominent recognition on social media and the event website. We invite you to become a corporate or individual sponsor and help sustain Healing Art, ensuring that Houston artists facing often unseen challenges continue to thrive in a creative and supportive space.
2025 food SPONSOR
2025 drink sponsors
2025 Media Sponsor
2025 DECOR SPONSOR
2025 COMMUNITY collaborator
Healing Arts at Art League Houston
Founded in 1990 by Patrick Palmer in response to the AIDS crisis, Healing Arts has become one of Houston’s longest-running community arts programs, providing adults with chronic illnesses and disabilities a welcoming space for creative expression. Offered at no cost to participants, the program is guided by professional artists Emily Sloan and Rebecca Bass, who lead weekly in-person and virtual classes in painting, ceramics, and more. Visiting artists also share insights into their practice, enriching the experience. Unlike hospital-based programs, Healing Arts fosters a supportive, inclusive community where art becomes a tool for empowerment and connectiom.
With small class sizes that ensure one-on-one instruction and meaningful engagement, Healing Arts helps participants rediscover themselves beyond their diagnoses. Through exhibitions and sales opportunities, artists showcase their work and celebrate their creative journeys. Now in its 35th year, Healing Arts continues to be a transformative and enduring resource, proving that art is not just a pastime—it is healing, it is community, and it is life-affirming.