Some pairings feel inevitable. Art and stone are two forms of expression shaped by time — one immediate, one eternal. On Wednesday, September 24, they come together at Art for a Cause, an exhibition that pairs contemporary works by internationally collected artists with natural stone slabs — geological canvases millions of years in the making.
Presented inside Texas Counter Fitters’ luminous showroom, the event reframes how art is experienced. Instead of the neutrality of white walls, the stone enriches the setting — shifting the conversation, amplifying the work, and reminding viewers that creativity is both human and elemental.
Hosted by Donna Moss Design and Beckett Graham Luxury Homes, the exhibition is paired with purpose. Fifty percent of all artwork sales will directly benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, whose pioneering research and compassionate care continue to advance cures and transform treatment for children nationwide.
Featured artworks, curated by Julia Ross and Robin Moore of ArtVia Design, reflect a spectrum of voices and visions. From bold abstraction and sculptural presence to contemplative textiles and lyrical painting, the roster of artists spans a wide range of practices and perspectives. Together, the works form a collective story — diverse in style, yet unified in impact — bridging human expression with stone’s elemental endurance.
Two local voices — Marilyn Henrion and Christopher Babb — reflect on their creative journeys and what it means to take part in Art for a Cause.
Fiber artist Marilyn Henrion’s work is often described as a dialogue between urban geometry, textile tradition, and contemporary abstraction. Her stitched and mixed-media pieces balance clean structure with rich texture and color. The 93-year-old, a lifelong New Yorker, recently moved to Plano to be closer to family.
How has your new environment shifted your artistic vision?
Marilyn Henrion (MH): My work has always been inspired by my surroundings. In New York, my aesthetic was rooted in the city’s geometry, both at home and in my travels. Relocating to Texas has expanded this vision to include the natural world and its coexistence with architecture.
Hand quilting is both traditional and innovative in your work. What does the process mean to you?
MH: Since time immemorial, people have sought a measure of immortality in the things they leave behind. My quilts, bearing the presence of my hand stitching — my DNA — are part of that same endeavor. The act of handwork itself is deeply meditative and remains the most rewarding part of my practice.
What advice would you share with younger artists?
MH: Be true to yourself…authenticity is one of the most valuable assets.
Dallas-based artist Christopher Babb’s work shifts between realism and abstraction, with a focus on how ideas evolve over time. He views painting as discovery — first mastering technique, then bending and breaking rules to find new freedom on the canvas.
Why participate in Art for a Cause?
Christopher Babb (CB): I’ve always tried to give back where I can. The children and families St. Jude supports face unimaginable challenges. To support an organization that heals and eases their burdens was an easy choice.
How did you select pieces to feature at the event?
CB: Most of the paintings I submitted are from my newest series, Deconstructing The Childhood Myth. This body of work revisits iconic images from my youth — my first introduction to morality tales and modern myth. By deconstructing and blurring them, I’m trying to recapture that early sense of joy and purity through the lens of adulthood, shaped by experience, pain, and loss. The images remain recognizable and familiar, but not quite the same.
These pieces felt right for this show because many of the children St. Jude helps face the hardest of circumstances. Illness distorts what childhood should be. In that way, the paintings echo this altered reality — distant from the ideal yet still carrying a sense of joy and hope.
Talk about the breadth of artists represented in the show.
I’m excited for attendees to see the range. The varying styles and techniques offer something for all tastes. While many shows can feel repetitive, this exhibition has been curated to spark interest from wall to wall.
Participating artists include Bethany Stewart, Christina Sodano, Christopher Babb, Edith Torres, Julia Ross, Juju Bartush, Kelly Dillard, Larry Solomon, Marilyn Henrion, Meredith Savin, Michael Ikoyi, Robin Moore, Rosemary Riddle Achelpohl, Suzie Moritz, Young Kim.
What: Art for a Cause
Wednesday, September 24, 4 PM to 7 PM
TCF Showroom, 909 N. Bowser Road, Richardson, TX 75081
Admission is complimentary; reserve your tickets here.
Read more about Art for a Cause, including the full list of artists.