Artists donate works to raise funds for Cypress Creek association

Though the facility is still in the conceptual stage, northwest Harris County resident and artist Andre Fafara said he is eagerly awaiting the opening of the proposed Museum of Fine Arts, Cypress Creek.

 "It would be quite unique for this area to have a place dedicated to the arts," said Fafara, who lives in the Ponderosa subdivision off Kuykendahl Road. "It will create opportunities for myself and other artists to have a place to display our work without going into town."

Fafara is one of 11 Houston artists donating artworks to the "Art for Art's Sake" charity show, which will benefit the Cypress Creek Fine Arts Association, the nonprofit corporation set up to raise fund the museum renovation project and ongoing operations. The show — free to the public — will take place 4-9 p.m. Saturday at the Hilton Garden Inn, 7979 Willowchase Boulevard.

Cypress Creek Fine Arts Association chairman Mike George announced last week that the group had surpassed its initial goal of raising $250,000 by July 31. He said association members will meet with Precinct 4 Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole next week to talk about converting the old Harris County library on Cypresswood into a museum, and meet with Museum of Fine Arts director Peter Marzio to talk about an agreement between the two entites.

The association will move full steam ahead with raising additional funds for the projected $400,000 renovation project, and $250,000 in first-year operations, George said. Events like the art show are key to that fund-raising effort.

Will LeBlanc, show coordinator and owner of Casablanca Productions, said the artists are invited to display several pieces. All proceeds from those sales will be donated to the association, in addition to 25 percent of the Hilton Garden Inn's bar sales.

"We think it will be a great show," LeBlanc said.

For details: 281-893-3838.