Photo Credit: The Cynthia Woods Mitchell PavilionNews
The Pavilion’s ‘For the Love of the Arts’ Gala raises a record-breaking $1.2 Million for Arts Access
Love was in the air at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion on Valentine’s Day as hundreds of arts supporters gathered for For the Love of the Arts, an unforgettable evening that raised more than $1.2 million in support of The Pavilion’s nonprofit mission of making the arts accessible to all.
The record-setting total marks the most ever raised at a Pavilion fundraiser and will directly support scholarships as well as education and community programming that ensures the arts remain accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Before the Gala officially began, the Pre-Gala Pamper Fundraiser at Aloha Beauty Lounge gave guests a festive kickoff and built early momentum for the evening. Aloha Beauty Lounge matched all proceeds from the pamper party, helping drive the Gala’s success before it even started.
From the moment guests entered The Woodforest Bank Club—transformed into a Vegas-inspired Little White Chapel—the energy was undeniable. Partygoers tested their luck at Human Slot Machines, where Pavilion Partners spun for a chance to win prizes ranging from a Maserati for the weekend to exclusive Pavilion merchandise. After enjoying cocktails in “Vegas,” guests traveled through the Tunnel of Love into Cupid’s Lair, where the real magic happened.
From paddle raises and the high-energy Guitar Grab for the one-and-only Post Malone guitar to an edge-of-your-seat Live Auction, the generosity in the room was matched only by the excitement. Each bid, each raised paddle and each round of applause reflected a shared commitment to keeping the arts thriving in our community.
The evening culminated in an unforgettable performance by Barenaked Ladies, whose energy and heart perfectly captured the spirit of the night. In a truly special moment, the band created a custom arts-inspired jingle just for The Pavilion, celebrating our mission and the power of music to bring people together. Their genuine connection to our cause and enthusiastic support of arts accessibility made their performance even more meaningful, reminding everyone in the room why we gather each year in support of this work.
“We are incredibly grateful to our donors, sponsors and guests who made this record-breaking night possible,” said Jeff Young, President and CEO. “Because of this community’s generosity, we can continue expanding arts education programs and creating opportunities for everyone to experience the transformative power of the arts.”
Proceeds from For the Love of the Arts directly benefit The Pavilion’s educational outreach, free community performances and programs designed to remove barriers to arts access throughout the region—ensuring that the love of the arts continues to grow for generations to come.
A special thanks to our generous sponsors for making this event possible:
- American Communications Construction
- Abston / Lach / Lach / Jacobson / Parr
- Adcetera
- Aloha Beauty Lounge
- Allredi
- Allum / Kirby / Warren
- Aramark
- Avion Wealth
- Bozeman Family & Ruhman Family
- Braun / Taylor
- The Campbell Family / Waterway Wealth
- Crystal Sled / Western Midstream
- Endeavor Advisors
- Hageman / Koetting / Leary / McBee / Neil
- The Homeyers / Gulf Capital Bank
- Houston Methodist
- Howard Hughes
- Jill & Jeff Swift
- Lindahl / Everson / Gullo / Ye / Snyder
- Lisa & Paul Kenworthy
- Live Nation
- Market Street
- Mark Folkes / The Hobby Center
- Melissa & Jeff Young / Christine & Mark Scully
- Michelle & Jim Little
- Monica & Josh McGee / Stoic Fitness and Nutrition
- Partners Capital
- The Pugh Family / Elizabeth & Colter Lewis
- Sharon & Bob Abendschein
- St. Luke’s The Woodlands
- Stefani & Jeff Urban
- Sue & Ken Rosko
- Ticketmaster
- Trapp Law Firm, PC
- The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation
- Waste Connections
- Woodforest National Bank
A special shout-out to our underwriters for contributing to the success of the event:
- 1to1 Printers
- Cindy & Rob Hardin
- Debbie & Sparky Gullo
- HSG Real Estate Ventures
- Lisa & Fred Koetting
- Michelle & Dennis Leary
- Mission Constructors, Inc.
- Rosemary Rodd
- Sewell
Opened in 1990, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is part of The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides diverse, high-quality performing arts events for the entertainment and enrichment of a broad regional audience. Through numerous educational and community outreach programs, The Pavilion is a catalyst for attracting new audiences to the performing arts and building strong ties between the arts and educational institutions.
Source: The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
