TALENTED ‘NOBODIES’:

Forget Picasso, Monet, O’Keefe, Kahlo. Stephanie Smither and her late husband, John Smither, filled two homes, floor to ceiling, with art by people who were, essentially, nobodies. Until, of course, the attention and passion of people like the Smithers helped make those visionary folk artists collectible somebodies. Much of the Smithers’ world-class cache has been promised to the Menil Collection, which celebrates with the colorful exhibition “As Essential as Dreams: SelfTaught Art From the Collection of Stephanie and John Smither.” Opening 7-9 p.m. Thursday, the show continues through Oct. 16. Susanne Theis leads a panel discussion at 7 p.m. Wednesday. 1533 Sul Ross; free; 713-525-9400; menil.org.

The Menil Collection Oscar Hadwiger’s “Untitled, 1975” is included in the exhibit “As Essential as Dreams” at the Menil Collection.