Aliyya Stude stepped into Sotheby’s in 2007, and in 2024 was named Senior Vice President, Head of the Houston office, and International Business Development. Today, she leads with both expertise and grace, guiding Sotheby’s expanding presence across client and business development. Working closely with specialists in every collecting category, Stude ensures each client experience is met with the highest level of care. She sources remarkable consignments and places masterpieces into the hands of collectors worldwide.
Fluent in Arabic and Spanish, Stude’s reach extends across Europe and the Middle East, reflecting her international perspective. She earned her Master’s in Business from the University of St. Thomas, and contributes her vision to the cultural fabric of Houston as a board member of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, a member of The Menil Advisory Board, and an active participant in the Garden Club of America.
Aliyya graciously shared with Whitewall the hidden corners and luminous landscapes of Houston that stir her imagination.
Courtesy of Aliyya Stude.
The Chinese Lantern Show; Photo Courtesy of Radiant Nature and Secret Houston.
WW: Best spot to find inspiration in Houston?
ALIYYA STUDE: All the parks! The Parks create a 150-mile network of trails along the city’s bayous, providing recreational and transportation opportunities for Houstonians and strengthening community connections. It will be amazing to have all the parks connected. Memorial Park is my favorite place for inspiration.
“Memorial Park is my favorite place for inspiration,”
Aliyya Stude
WW: Best off-the-beaten-path to see art in Houston?
AS: Buffalo Bayou Cistern. This decommissioned underground reservoir was built in 1926 & now features art installations.
WW: Best-kept secret in Houston?
AS: The Chinese Lantern Show at the Houston Botanic Garden.
Aliyya Stude’s Best of Houston:
1. Memorial Park
Courtesy of Memorial Park Conservancy.
Memorial Park’s size (1,500 acres, nearly twice the size of Central Park) and central location – in the heart of Houston – make it distinctive nationally. Further distinguishing Memorial Park is its cultural history as a former WWI training camp – Camp Logan – where 70,000 soldiers trained for battle. It is the only such camp remaining in the United States that has not been developed and is an archeologically protected site because of its role in WWI and the archeological features that remain. Memorial Park is where the sport of jogging was popularized nationally by Seymour Lieberman, the namesake for the Park’s locally-popular and nationally-acclaimed jogging trail. – Memorial Park
2. Buffalo Bayou Cistern
Buffalo Bayou Cistern; Courtesy of Buffalo Bayou Partnership.
The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern is a former drinking water reservoir built in 1926 for the City of Houston. BBP restored and repurposed the 87,500-square-foot Cistern into a magnificent public space for tours, performances, and art installations. – Buffalo Bayou Cistern
3. Houston Botanic Garden
Houston Botanic Garden; © 2025 West 8.
The Houston Botanic Garden inspires and connects visitors with a curated collection of tropical, sub-tropical, and arid plants from around the world that reflect the city’s rich cultural and ethnic diversity. As a 132-acre urban oasis and living museum with approximately 1,200 taxa, the Garden enriches lives through discovery, education, and the conservation of plants and the natural environment. The information provided below for download highlights the impact the Garden is having in its neighborhood, the Bayou City, and beyond, as well as the Garden’s stewardship of the resources provided by donors, members, visitors, and other key constituents. – Houston Botanical Garden
4. The Chinese Lantern Show
The Chinese Lantern Show; Courtesy of Radiant Nature and the Houston Botanic Garden.
The dazzling Chinese lantern festival with larger-than-life installations showcasing the beauty of nature and celebrating the promise of the Lunar New Year returns to Houston Botanic Garden with all-new displays and interactive elements. Radiant Nature, presented by Reliant, is an unforgettable adventure for the entire family. In its second year, highlights include towering ginkgo and pine trees, a majestic Chinese temple, a geometric dome, pandas with bamboo, and much more. The interactive zone again features illuminated swings and an angel wings photo spot, plus a collection of new immersive, Instagram-worthy features sure to put a smile on the faces of visitors of all ages. – The Chinese Lantern Show
5. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, serves as a welcoming and inclusive place for all people, connecting the communities of Houston with diverse histories of art spanning 5,000 years and six continents. Through our permanent collections, special exhibitions, learning and interpretation programs, studio instruction, publications, conservation, and scholarly research, we strive to inspire appreciation and understanding of the broadest spectrum of human achievement. – Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
