Mitch Cohen

Where do old dogs go? How about old dogs with special needs? Elaine Rosen and Rick Laminack have big hearts because they founded Dog Lodge Sanctuary, set to open this summer - the sanctuary is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing a permanent home for senior and/or special needs dogs. Laminack told me the sanctuary has a vet clinic, therapy room and an acre outside paddock for running around and socializing. The primary function of Dog Lodge is to come to the rescue of dogs that are, for all intents and purposes, considered “unadoptable” because of advanced age or because they have chronic illness or physical disabilities. “The Sanctuary is an alternative to life on the streets, abuse, neglect, fighting, and euthanasia,” Laminack said. “Here is an opportunity … [Read more...] about Art Valet: Dog Lodge Sanctuary announces inaugural “Artists for the Animals” event

Not all that many years ago, the possibility of doing anything other than Art Car Weekend was unfathomable to me. It was not just about the parade, it was the plethora of activities leading up to the big event from the packet pickup, to the awards ceremony the day after. The Art Car parade is this Saturday and I won’t be there. Hell hath frozen over! The truth is, I found my calling or passion if you will in art markets and my Market at Sawyer Yards happens to be Saturday, as well. If there were some way to circumvent the hundreds of thousands of spectators, park, view, hoot and holler and return to my show in a painstakingly short period of time, I’d do it. Does anyone have a helicopter? My friend Rickey F. Polidore Jr., (Art Valet, Dec. 2, 2017 issue) has art car fever. Polidore, … [Read more...] about Art Valet: HISD has record number of Parade Entries

Still on the lookout for unusual backgrounds, hobbies or jobs of artists, this week we meet Heights artist Abiola Wabara. Before arriving in the Heights, Wabara lived in Italy, Spain, Israel, England, played professional basketball and currently works as a business consultant for a multinational consulting firm. Wabara paints on canvas and like many artists, can’t remember when art wasn’t important in her life. Probably more so now than ever. “Art has been in my life ever since I can remember. Painting is my way to vent and free myself from any disappointments, broken heart or bad feelings I may have,” Wabara says in her bio. “My art represents what I see as beautiful or subjects in which eyes I see a different story.” As I said, there’s more to Wabara than she lets on in her … [Read more...] about Art Valet: Artist with international background settles in Heights

HITS Theatre, a Heights nonprofit theater company, kicks off the spring season with “Shrek the Musical,” their 31st-anniversary production at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Performances are over the next two weeks Thursday - Saturday, March 29 - 31 and April 5 - 7 at 8 p.m. The event is ticketed for covered seating. Free tickets are available (four per person over age 16 while they last) at the Miller Outdoor Theatre box office the day of the performance between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The box office is located behind the theater. If tickets remain at 1 p.m., the box office will re-open one hour before show time to distribute the remaining tickets. Really, though, the best way to see a performance is on the hill, which will start filling up in the afternoons before the show. I … [Read more...] about Art Valet: HITS presents ‘Shrek the Musical’ at Miller Outdoor Theatre

Wandering the aisles at First Saturday Arts Market, I love to ask the artists what else they do either for a living or recreation? The answers are sometimes stunning. Examples: political science professors, NASA Space Station operations, marathoners, pilots, FAA investigator and today, we meet master carpenter and mountain climber, Heiko Weiner. Weiner, a Pasadena resident, specializes in turned bowls. He has succeeded in developing his own, distinctive style. He combines wood with other natural materials, such as essential oils, semi-precious stones, bone, and metal. He enjoys the challenge of applying various precise techniques required for this type of work. Weiner travels the country to fine art shows and will be a featured artist at the Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park this … [Read more...] about Art Valet: Artist reaches new heights after art festival