about last night - Dec. 9, 2021

December 9th, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas was a magical evening, filled with beautiful art
and a collection of the city’s Who’s Who.
Mouty Shackelford & Justin Anderson
5:15pm: I began my fun-filled night just as the sun was beginning to set over the city and drove downtown. With holiday music filling my car, I pulled up to the famous Fort Worth Electrical building and scooped up my dear friend, Justin Anderson. He entered the car with his always jovial spirit, and handed me several packets of his newest hand-made seasoning creation, Bel Air Ranch, which just launched at Central Market. Together, we head to our first destination, Artspace 111, for their “Presents, Prints and Paintings” event.
The phone rings, and it’s Nancy Lamb on the line. She’s already there, but says that she is about to leave for her next engagement.  We convince her to wait, just long enough for us to arrive and grab a parking spot. Justin and I pop out of the car and Nancy, in a vibrant green sweater and black/white checkered pants, stands before us as a vision of the Season!  We get in our hugs and hellos, and then say our goodbyes.
Inside the art gallery, I immediately see Sasha Bass, who introduces me to Alice Walton and her precious dog, Good Friday Walton. Smiles fill the room and the air is electric. Justin brings me a glass of bubbly and we chat with Bale Creek Allen, who just opened his new gallery in Sundance Square. We talk about his opening, happening the next day.
Ariel Davis, Justin Anderson, Margery Grella-Gossett, Alice Walton, Sasha Bass, Bale Creek Allen, Mouty Shackelford
Ariel Davis and Margery Grella-Gossett are bustling around the venue, helping clients select and purchase art, while simultaneously making time to visit with everyone who has attended the Opening. Many familiar faces are mingling about, and in between the many salutations, I duck into the large gallery space that displays a plethora of ‘small art’, meticulously hung and designed for those who are looking to snag a smaller piece by their favorite artist for themselves, or as a gift.
Tree
Artspace 111 (top right: Layla Luna)
Ariel Davis, Mouty Shackelford, Shasta Haubrich
Photo: Justin Anderson
I chat with Shasta Haubrich of Art Tooth about which pieces are our favorites, and she points out a small tree piece that says she adores. I look closer, and discover that there’s a miniature person painting a mural on the ground. What a treat to see a surprise art piece within an art piece that I initially thought was a decoration to spice up the wall. Silly me!
We retreat out to the patio, which is adorned with strings of twinkle lights running from tree to tree, and visit with a local photographer and an art fan who has “travelled in from Dallas” for the night. As we’re chatting away, a large airplane passes directly overhead. It was quite a spectacle, as its speed and trajectory seemed uncomfortably low to me. Justin immediately tells me that it is part of a Christmas Plane Tour that flies over Fort Worth to show paying guests the area’s holiday lights from above. I mean…not only was I impressed with Justin’s knowledge, but I was also reminded how special Fort Worth is.
6:30pm: From fun and art, we now entered the educational portion of the evening, as Justin and I head over to the Amon Carter Museum for “Second Thursdays”. Upon arrival, we quickly finish our wine spritzers and listened to Anette Becker from the Texas Fashion Collection discuss historical French fashion. Three frocks were commissioned for display to accompany several magnificent paintings from the Gentling Brothers. We learn about the intricate embroidery, and the history of the silk thread used in the garments.  The talk ended with a tour of the beautiful paintings that coordinate perfectly with the apparel (once owned by the painters themselves).
Gentling Painting at the Amon Carter + Texas Fashion Collection.
It’s always a treat to listen to Anette speak about fashion in such a technical way, while being surrounded with mind-blowing art.  As we’re wrapping up the presentation, I find myself standing next to a painting of a very handsome man. I must’ve been staring (drooling?), because Justin leans over and whispers into my ear, “That’s Brent. I met him last night.”  Let me be clear, this is a painting in a renowned museum, and my buddy casually mentions having cocktails with the gent in the painting the night before. He whips out his iPhone and proceeds to show me a picture from the previous evening, and sure enough, staring back at me is a now older, more distinguished version of Brent Hyder.
IMG_1240
Brent Hyder painting by Scott Gentling - Amon Carter
Photo: Justin Anderson

8:45pm: We leave “The Carter” and head out for sushi at Hatsuyuki Handroll Bar on Foch street. The restaurant is comprised of one giant, squared-off horseshoe table, outfitted with simple bar stools around the perimeter. All guests are served by the sushi chefs, who occupy the interior of the “U”.  They were very firm that you had to savor each handroll as it arrives, and then and only then, will they serve you another. They were the most delicious handrolls I’ve ever had outside of Manhattan, New York. Or perhaps that little dive in North Hollywood.  Or that exquisite place in Park City, Utah.  I’m hungry again.  Moving on.

As we wrap up our dinner, I get a text from Sasha Bass, inviting us over for a beverage at her home.

10:00pm: After parking at Sasha and Ed’s house, we run into musician Abraham Alexander outside. He just signed a deal with a record company, and we discuss his big show the following night at Tulips, where the proceeds will be going to Lone Star Film. In addition to the annual film fest, LSF also hosts some wonderful summer programs for children, teaching them about film making and giving them hands-on experience with the camera equipment!  I tell Abraham that I will definitely be at the Tulips event, and head for the house.

Upon entering, there is a trio of musicians playing lovely, traditional holiday tunes. The ambiance is magical, with the freshly shined hardwood floors and decorations in all the right places. Servers in white coats offer me a delicious pink bubbly beverage, and I am immediately greeted with a warm bear hug from Sasha.

I have a lovely chat with Matthew Miller (a.k.a. Sunflower Man) and his lovely lady. We discuss the evening’s events and make plans to grab a coffee soon. To my left is a prominent sight to see, Mr. Steve Murrin, former chairman of Lone Star Film.  If you have spent any significant time in Fort Worth, you will recognize this man with the tall cowboy hat and boots with his dark blue jeans tucked inside so that you don’t miss any details on his ‘shit-kickers’ 😉
Sasha’s precious little fur-baby, Nacho, runs laps around the guests, as music floats through the air and spirits pass between lips. In the kitchen, Fort Worth City Manager, David Cook and his gorgeous fiancée, Denise, engage in conversation with me about the various happenings downtown and the recent, two-day Sundance Square Christmas ornament event, where 55 artists were hired to make one-of-a-kind ornaments for the giant Christmas tree in the central plaza.
Sasha & Ed Bass
Sasha & Ed Bass at Home with Steve Murrin + Orchestra Trio
Sasha and Ed are seen in a loving embrace, listening to the beautiful music, while Nacho has a front row seat on the piano. There is a feeling of happiness and joy as guests flutter about. We all exchange hugs and kisses as the evening winds down, and I am reminded of how blessed I am to have such lovely friends and experiences in this incredible town.

Midnight: After I drop Justin off, I drive home with a smile on my face, thinking about what a magical evening I just had in Fort Worth.  Perhaps Railhead BBQ says it best, “Life Is Too Short To Live In Dallas”.

Mouty Shackelford, Owner - Artsy Scoop
Article: Mouty Shackelford, Artsy Scoop