Art Valet: An auction, amor and art make the weekend

Weekends in the city are made for adventure and this one looks good for covering the “A’s” on your list; amor, art and an auction. Not necessarily in that order.

I’m not a frequenter (that’s a word) of auctions, this weekend there is an auction that I may want to visit, and you will too. Saturday and Sunday,  Lewis & Maese, 1505 Sawyer St. Houston, TX 77007, in Sawyer Yards, is hosting a closing auction and sale. Both days the doors open at 11 a.m. and the auction begins at 1 p.m.

Lewis & Maese is well known for their estate sales, specializing in rare antiques and art. A couple of years back I attended an estate preview here, and this place is amazing. According to the press release, these closing events have brought in deal-savvy shoppers from all over for the thousands of items, including new, gently used and antique furniture, rugs, lighting, paintings, sculpture and accessories, handbags and jewelry. The sale has also helped shoppers find great deals on statuary, pianos, linens, fossils, furs, crystals and southwestern silver and turquoise pieces.

It sounds interesting, right?  During each day’s two-hour preview, shoppers will have the opportunity to tag items they want to see in the auction that afternoon. 250 lots are anticipated each day. The festive atmosphere, led by auctioneers Wayne Wheat and David Lewis, will include an open bar. Ok, I’m in!

These are the final two days as Lewis & Maese prepares to close its doors at this location after a decade – they’re now open in the Spring Valley area at 7777 Blankenship Drive. https://lmauctionco.com

In the love department, we have Casa Ramirez Folkart Gallery, 241 W. 19th St. in Houston’s Heights, celebrating Valentine’s Day from Feb. 3-24 with a twist — noting both the importance of romantic, eternal love and lasting friendship.

“If we learned anything new from the past three years of challenges and isolation,” said Chrissie Dickerson Ramirez, owner of the gallery, “it’s how much we need basic human contact and connections to each other.”

So in addition to its traditional celebration of “amor eterno,” Casa Ramirez will honor “amistad eterna.” with items in a variety of categories and price ranges. They include cards, all manner of fanciful hearts and folkart items, books/cookbooks, clothing and jewelry.

A special feature from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, will be the chance to work with a designer and a new collection of beads to custom design bracelets on-the-spot for $12 apiece. A selection of other one-of-a-kind beaded bracelets created in-gallery are also available, as well as earrings, pins, key rings and Milagros — traditional Mexican “charms.”

On Feb. 11, 1-4 p.m., the focus will be on the gallery’s new stock of gourmet Mexican chocolate tablets from Oaxaca, as well as the accessories.. In addition to sampling the beverage, other light refreshments will be served, and there will be a how-to on brewing the perfect frothy mug-full with a wooden molinillo, available for sale.

Casa Ramirez is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays; closed Mondays. Follow the gallery on Facebook and Instagram @casaramirezfolkartgallery or call 713-880-2420.

Some art love will be in the air down the street from Casa Ramirez Saturday with the First Saturday Arts Market, 540 W. 19^th St. The market will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is featuring over 3 dozen Houston artists at this 19 year old monthly market.

Artists love themed art shows and we just can’t help but get wrapped up in a lover’s themed holiday. Some of the art I previewed before writing this week include hearts on mugs, in jewelry, made with pencils and keys and one artist depicts the “reality” of love at home.

Preview all the art before heading out at www.firstsaturdayartsmarket.com

Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market and The Market at Sawyer Yards. Find him at ArtValet.com for additional highlights and artist’s stories.