The annual Culture Shapers wine auction, benefitting high school artists in Houston, Texas, was held on Thursday, May 15th, 2008 at the LRC Community Center in Northwest Houston. This year’s event featured an impressive array of wines, donated at cost by local wine boutique Cellar 17, and guests were treated to complimentary wines, cheese and hors d’oeuvres.

Several student artists who participated in the Culture Shapers Visual Arts Contest were on hand to display and sell their artwork, as well as share testimonials about how the contest has impacted their lives in a positive way.

“I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity that Culture Shapers gave me and the rest of the contestants,” said Hung Pham, Senior at Clear Creek High School, and winner of the $5,000 Grand Prize in the Sculpture category during this past years’ competition. “Culture Shapers is one of those few supporters who are right here in our area, helping and encouraging those of us who are right-brained and creative.”

Student photographer Roy Neely, a senior at Pasadena Memorial High School, who also won a $5,000 Grand Prize in last year’s competition for his photograph entitled, Revelation, gave a moving testimonial, thanking the men and women who make the contest possible each year through their generous financial contributions.

Lauren Laumbach, a senior at Kingwood High School in Humble ISD was also on hand to show two of her paintings, one of which won 4th Place and $1,000 in this past year’s contest. Her painting of a well-worn piano, entitled Diminuendo was purchased on the spot by Carol Cook, a patron at this year’s wine auction.

“We believe there is a wealth of talent in our right-brained creative young people, and we are committed to continuing to make an investment in their future as they pursue their careers in the arts,” said Steve Arizpe, Executive Vice President, Client Services and Chief Operating Officer at Administaff, who have contributed each year to the Culture Shapers arts contest.

“The proceeds from this event will help us continue to provide much-needed encouragement, inspiration and opportunities to hundreds of talented students from all across Houston, through the annual Culture Shapers Visual Arts Contest and the monthly Young Voices of Houston vocal competitions,” said Ernie Fitzpatrick, Founder and President of Culture Shapers, which is a 510(c)3 non-profit.

Patrons donated more than $11,000 during the course of this year’s wine auction. All funds raised will be used to provide cash prizes to student artists in the coming year, through visual and performing arts contests. Since the contest began in 2000, more than $700,000 in cash prizes have been awarded to high school student artists. For more information about how to support Culture Shapers and these talented high school artists, visit: www.cultureshapers.com

Special thanks to the following, who generously contributed to the 2008 Wine Auction:

• Sean Perkins and Cellar 17 for selecting and generously donating the wines for the auction at cost.
• Bob Mosier, Artist-In-Residence at The John Cooper School in The Woodlands, for designing, building and donating his one-of-a-kind custom wine rack, as well as sharing his moving testimonial about the impact Culture Shapers has made in the classroom.
• Bob Dyer, metal artist, for designing, building and donating a custom wine bottle and stemware rack.
• Paul Cook, for donating the impressive Dominus Vertical (’90, ‘91 and ‘92) for the live auction.
• Student artists, Roy Neely, Lauren Laumbach and Hung Pham, for being on hand to share their testimonies and artwork.

And a huge “Thank You!” to all of you who purchased wine during the auction. Thank you for your investment into the lives of these young people!

• Steve & Charissa Arizpe
• David Berryman
• Ed & Jane Blalock
• Mark & Laureen Boyer
• John Carney
• Karen & Greg Clouse
• David Crawford
• Jayla & Chris Davis
• Joey & Ginger Doyle
• Betty & Haywood Ellis
• Bob Frank
• Barbara Gibson
• John Josserand
• Stephen Lewis
• Sally & Jay Mincks
• Vicki & Paul Sarvadi
• Chad Searcy
• Doug & Pat Shadle
• Becky Tee
• Ron & Pat Timpanaro