Kaleta Blaffer Johnson, Elizabeth Kurpis, Carson Brown at Hotel Saint Augustine (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)
Hat designer Teressa Foglia and her artist husband Ty Hays just can’t get enough of Texas. Their latest foray into the Lone Star State took place at Houston’s hip Hotel Saint Augustine where they hosted cocktails for a throng and dinner for a select group. The evening spotlighted Hay’s newest collection “After Hours in the West” and Foglia’s limited-edition hat collection. All created in honor of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Some 100 friends, art lovers and influencers — let’s just say the cool kids — were invited to rally in the Montrose hotel’s lounge and listening room during the “Drop the Needle” happy hour when it’s strictly vinyls on the turntable. A dinner for 30 insiders followed in Saint Augstine’s Perseid restaurant. Chef Aaron Bludhorn was on hand to welcome the savvy clutch.
Ten of Hays‘ mixed media Western-themed works — employing at various times a mix of acrylic paint, lime wash, charcoal and graphite — were on view in the hotel and served as backdrop to the private dinner. Horses, Western hats and boots are featured in his often minimalist works…