Guests at Wednesday’s 8X8 Holiday Exhibition and Auction at the Museum of Biblical Art may have been surprised to see Dr. Carolyn Farb, the Houston philanthropist and socialite, serving as co-chair of the event, along with Donna and Herb Weitzman.
But, they shouldn’t have been. Farb has been a supporter of the Dallas museum for several years. She first visited it when she came to see her friend Vladimir Gorksy’s “Tapestry of the Centuries,” a monumental historical work whose Joan of Arc figure was modeled after Farb herself.
“I was amazed by what they had to offer,” Carolyn said of the museum on Wednesday, as she personally welcomed many of the evening’s 400 guests.
When planning for 8X8 began, Farb confided, “I thought I could help”—and she did. Besides lending ideas for the invitation’s design, she invited three of the participating artists: JD Miller, Ruth Buzzi, the former “Laugh-In” comedian, and Ruth’s husband Kent Perkins. (Buzzi and Perkins live on a ranch outside Fort Worth.)
Founded by Jeff Levine, the 8X8 fundraiser brought together artists, benefactors, and galleries to celebrate the Biblical significance of the number 8. The number symbolically represents the Hebrew word for life, and 8X8 represents “a doubly blessed life.”
Carrying out this theme, 100 artists created special works celebrating Christmas and Chanukah, with each piece measuring just 8 inches by 8 inches. The small pieces were offered in a silent auction, and Louis Murad conducted a live auction for some larger works.
Among the latter were offerings by JD Miller—he worked on the painting, live, at the event—Buzzi (a photographic work called “Ranch Hopping”), Perkins
(an acrylic titled “The Eyes Have It”), and George Tobolowsky (a big metal sculpture he called “Kosher Hanukah Menorah”).
With attendees in the house including Katy and Lawrence Bock, Janie and David Condon, Nora and Bob Hogan, Patricia Meadows and hostess Carmaleta Whiteley, Dallas artist and collector Edith Baker was honored with a special presentation. For good reason, too; Baker was instrumental in building up the museum’s art collections.
When all was said and done, all 100 of the 8X8 pieces were sold, with a portion of the proceeds going to the biblical museum’s exhibition and educational programs. And at least four of the big pieces found buyers in the live auction, including the ones by Buzzi, Perkins and Miller, as well as a bronze sculpture by Gib Singleton.
Can somebody say, “Amen”?
Carmaleta Whiteley says
Thank you MSC for a great cover of 8X8…..great attendance with fabulous
artists.
Jocelyn White says
My.sweet friend Carolyn Farb may be a Houstonian but she certainly loves Dallas and has “given back” to our non-profit community for years. How wonderful that she gives her philanthropic efforts to our Museum of Biblical Arts–one of our true hidden treasures!