Much of the excitement surrounding the Candlelight Dinner & Auction stems from the Live Auction, where neighbors get to engage in friendly and spirited bidding wars to take home some of the most prized items of the night. Live Auction Chair, Linda Eyles, has done an incredible job putting together some impressive Live Auction items this year, and we’re excited to reveal those items now:

“Safe Harbor” by Nicola Parente

Acrylic, ink, and charcoal powder on panel

This stunning 48” x 48” work by local Houston artist Nicola Parente is from his “Pelagico” series and references being one with water. Parente’s use of negative space and a ground of white draws the observer into the experience of serenity, while his introduction of undulating black lines and flashes of brilliant blues and iridescent greens bring forceful energy and movement to his work.

Chef’s Dinner

Chef Brandi Key is partnering with local favorite, Alice Blue, to create an incredible 5-course dining experience in the restaurant for 12 lucky auction winners. Key is known for her exquisite food and her generosity—the last time she donated a dinner to the HHA, it was a blow out success! Carefully curated wines from Denise Ehrlich of Renaissance Wine Marketing will be paired with each course. Dinner guests will also take home luxury swag bags with (among other things), treats from LMN Hospitality, gift cards from Tootsie’s, and amenities from Heights area stylists to the stars, Linear Salon.

“Carrying Home”, 2018 by Damon Thomas

“Carrying Home” is one of a series of pieces created by Damon Thomas that explores themes of human migration and movement—both voluntary and involuntary, in both present and generational time. This substantial 21” high x 26” wide ceramic piece is fired to a stoneware temperature with two different glazes. An underlying blue glaze is used all over the work, while the human figure has an overlying translucent white glaze, suggesting a person existing in an “in between” place.

Robyn Arouty Portrait

Sit! Stay! But don’t wait! If you win this auction item, you will receive a one-hour, private photo session with Robyn Arouty at her Center Street Studio. Robyn’s pet portraits capture the wit and charm of each individual she photographs and provides her clients with a lasting memory of their beloved furry friends. Robyn has been voted “Best Pet Photographer” and her blog and Instagram accounts have a huge following.

This item includes 2 digital photo files.  A certificate for one printed canvas is also included.

Bicycles for the family!

Up for auction this year are a men’s and women’s Jamis Coda Sport. The bike frame is Reynolds steel and comes with a full set of Shimano components for a smooth, safe ride while pedaling around the Heights. The bikes also come with a full set of eyelets so you can accessorize it with bags for the commute to work or carry a bottle of wine to your friend’s house. This year we are also offering a Jamis XR24, a youth MTB kids bike, so the whole family can get rolling! When Junior is ready to drop the training wheels, this is the bike they want. All of this is thanks to our good friends over at Blue Line Bike Lab located right in the middle of the Heights at 1504 Yale Street.

Telluride Trip

This Telluride, Colorado home has it all—gorgeous mountain views with restaurants, shopping, skiing, and hiking all just steps away. The New York Times is soon to feature this project in an upcoming publication. With a gourmet kitchen, generous patios, and a hot tub, there’s space to spread out and relax in style. The home sleeps 8-10 with luxurious bedrooms and en suite bathrooms, and it can be yours for a week of winter or summer fun (with some exclusions).  

This auction item includes a gift card for $1,000 to use toward travel expenses as well as a $500 gift card to MIXX Projects + Atelier—Telluride’s premier art and gift shop!