Anthony Palasota, tireless Houston arts supporter, has died after a brief illness. Familiar to everyone as a fixture at Houston openings, for years Palasota religiously put together a weekly email of art-related happenings in the city. Beginning in June, 2009 with the tweet “Looking for Art,” Palasota logged 1421 messages on art events by February 13, 2012. An instructor at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Palasota‘s passion was for the artworld– as one memorial from a Houston artist reads: “he was at every art show I ever had, or went to.”
Anthony Palasota, Omnipresent Fixture on the Houston Gallery Scene, Has Died
33 comments
Thank you . Nice piece about a lovely man .
One of my very best friends in this life. You are loved and missed dearly.
He will be missed, deeply missed,rest in peace dear Anthony…
Anthony had been sending out emails on art events in Houston since the early 2000s. Very sad news.
Anthony was such a lovely person and passionate advocate for the arts. I will miss him dearly. We will miss him dearly!
Professor Palasota was one of the best teachers I ever had and I’ve had many! I met him at St. Agnes. He was not only highly intelligent and wise, but entertaining, witty and funny. I lost track of him when I went off to see the world, until we reconnected through music. He never ceased to amaze me with his generosity of spirit. I am lucky to have known him in this life, and I hope I can see him again in the next one.
Can anyone here provide information regarding Professor Palasota’s funeral or burial service schedule? Please share. Thank you so much.
This professor was so nice to me. I bumped into him on several occasions at school. He always caught my attention and ask how I’d been. After listening to all I had to say, he’d then share his insightful opinions and motivate me to continue improving. Each time, I walked away feeling so much gratitude, which I never fully expressed. My gratitude lives on in thought, as I’ll never forget how comforting it was to see such a warm, adorable person in a world that can be rather cold.
Very sad news. He was such a kind and enthusiastic person.
R.I.P. Mr. Palasota. Might love, memory and tranquility comfort those that miss you mostly. Your dedication to our creative community and ever vigorous presence are a tragic loss. Find the beauty for us that we wont know. See ya later.
Beautiful, Andy.
Good-bye Anthony, Your wit and charm will be missed.
RD
Thank you for everything you did for the Houston art scene. Your charm and enthusiasm will be missed. R.I.P our dear friend Anthony Palasota.
Anthony, so kind and committed to the legal community, the arts, and his students. Amazing man. We will miss you dear Anthony.
I knew Anthony’s mother and Anthony well; his mother, Anna, was my landlady in an attic apartment I called “The Penthouse” above her home on Colquitt in the 1990s. Anna used to bake for me every Christmas; the wonderful taste of her homemade anniversary cookies are still a cherished memory of mine! After she died, I continued to see Anthony out-and-about, and we always reminisced fondly about his wonderful mother. Rest in Peace, Anthony. Graham Gemoets.
Anthony was a wonderful and generous friend who always had a positive thing to say about life. He seemed to be able to be in several places at one time and I could never go to an opening without seeing Anthony.
The art community will miss this true patriot for the arts.
I’ll miss his weekly newsletters, and his jolly smile.
How our landscape changes, Anthony, who will press people into each others shy worlds, who did you assign to lead?
We will be listening for you, RIP my dear friend….
Very sad. Anthony was a kind and generous friend, and a fixture in the Houston art world.
Your support for the Houston Art’s Community, your heart, and your friendship will be remembered by many. Thanks for all the great memories, Anthony, you will be missed.
It still hasn’t quite hit me that Anthony won’t be around every corner at every show, offering support and open caring dialogue.
We had invited him to be our guest curator at the Hardy & Nance Street Studios in July and his enthusiasm for that endeavor was so disarming. We were looking forward to seeing what he came up with and will sadly miss witnessing his own show, wishing we had asked him sooner.
I’ll miss the candid talks, the studio visits, the selflessness in conversation and just his general sweetness.
I’ll miss you and will always be grateful for having the opportunity to know you just a little. XOXO
THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU.
ONE OF A KIND INDEED.
EGH
As one of the local artists, I was frequently a receipient of Anthony’s presence and his generosity of spirit. Anthony was a bright place in the art community, putting his efforts toward the success of others. I will miss my friend greatly.
I’ll just reiterate what I said to some mutual friends earlier: A sweet man, a gentle heart, and a pure curiosity. Go in peace, Anthony.
This is too sad, I can’t believe it. He will be missed greatly.
We already miss your presence at thelaw school. Descansa en paz!
Anthony will surely be missed, I was his secret admirer, He was such a nice pleasant person. Art Receptions, Grand Openings, Fashion Shows, and Thanksgiving Dinner at his house will never be the same. My prayers are extended to his Family. God Bless.
I’m so SAD; I’ll cry for you, but I know you would not want me to. I have no words, just real tears – I hope you knew what you were to me!!!!
I learned quite a bit from Anthony about art and
gentleness. Miss him.
Did Anthony attend the University of St. Thomas back in the 60’s?
Yes, class of ’69.
I now know he was a beloved friend from college days. I am still grieving his passing. It’s like a special book closed in my life.
Spatulas,
Carol
Anthony was my late grandfather’s friend, Fred Sawin, and I had stayed in touch with him throughout the years through email. He was a wonderful man, an encouraging man. I know that he would be so proud of me for chasing my dream and working as an artist. I know this is nearly a year after Anthony’s death, but I felt the need to express that I will remember this man for a long time.
Anthony’s presence is still missed.