The much anticipated Art of the World Gallery opened its doors in Houston on Thursday, October 27, 2016. Owners Liliana Molina and Mauricio Vallejo welcomed over 300 art enthusiasts to the private grand opening reception. The evening celebrated the inaugural exhibition featuring world-renowned Latin American artist Fernando Botero, which will be on display until Saturday, February 11, 2017. 

 

Valet service was provided by Sovereign Services, and as guests arrived, they were immediately captivated by the monumental sculpture, “Reclining Woman with Fruit,” by Botero. Said to be the artist’s last monumental sculpture, the piece was part of a recent installation and sits outside the gallery's window display.

 

Inside the gallery, guests enjoyed complimentary champagne and wine while viewing the impressive collection of Botero's paintings, sculptures, and drawings. All the works of art are for sale. The exhibition, considered a retrospective of Botero's work, consists of paintings from the 50s, 60s, 90s and more recently; drawings from the 80s, 90s, and this century; and small, medium and large bronze sculptures, as well as a petite marble sculpture from 1982. 

 

Chef Vidal of La Fisheria articulated a delicious menu of light bites, which included mahi-mahi ceviche, tuna tostadas, vegan mushroom cocktails, almond picadillo sopes, lobster flautas, and shredded beef empanadas. For a sweet treat, guests also enjoyed chocolate cake and arroz con leche, with refreshing mescal to drink. 

 

On the second floor of the venue, guests were given a preview of the upcoming exhibition from Julio Larraz. They were also treated to Art of the World's own collection, which is comprised of masters, mid-career painters, and sculptors from Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia.

 

Future plans for gallery owners, Molina and Vallejo, include installing monumental artworks in prominent public spaces around Houston.

 

Guests: Carolyn Farb; William T. Cannady; Steve and Jennifer Dolman; Steve and Johanna Donson; Ken Christie; Armando and Cinda Palacios; Tony Maarraoui; James Bell; Consul General of Colombia, Miguel Rafael Lopez; Consul General of Mexico, Oscar Rodriguez Cabrera; Consul General of Peru, Alberto E. Massa; Deputy Secretary of Energy for Hydrocarbons, Mexico, Aldo Flores-Quiroga; Gabriel Osorio, President of Ecopetrol America; Eric Flesch, President of Argos USA; and prominent Botero collectors from Asia, Europe, the United States, and Latin America.

 

Art of the World Gallery is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.