getting some space

Iconic Houston art and sacred space will close in 2019

The Rothko Chapel and grounds will close to the public from March 4, 2019 to winter 2019 for restoration and renovation.

Hickey Robertson

One of Houston’s most beloved sacred spaces and art havens, the Rothko Chapel, takes a break next year for renewal before its 50th anniversary celebration in 2021. The nondenominational Rothko Chapel and grounds will close March 4 through the winter of 2019 for renovation as part of the Opening Spaces capital project.

Founded by John and Dominique de Menil and designed by architects Philip Johnson, Howard Barnstone, and Eugene Aubry, in close collaboration with renowned artist Mark Rothko, the chapel was gifted to Houstonians as a place for contemplation and reflection. The chapel holds 14 masterpiece paintings by Rothko on its eight walls and has become a center of peace for Houston and the world.

With an objective to enhance the visitor experience throughout the chapel and grounds, the Opening Spaces project will restore and upgrade the space within the chapel itself. With an eye on how light meets art, the interior restoration will reconfigure the skylight, lighting design, and entryway.

The ambitious project calls for welcome and community engagement centers as well as landscaping improvements, including new and enhanced greenspaces that will highlight the connection between the chapel, administration building, and rest of the neighborhood. Plans also include the creation of new offices, archives, library, and a conference room.

While the Rothko Chapel remains closed to the public for months next year, its stated mission to connect art, spirituality, and compassionate action through a broad array of free public programs will continue. The chapel’s public programming will continue off-site throughout the year and will always be listed on the events calendar.

Currently, the Rothko Chapel is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm and admission is free.

museums closings

art for a song

Affordable Art Fair heads to Houston this fall with works starting at $100

A man staring at a selection of paintings at the Affordable Art Fair

Photo courtesy of Affordable Art Fair

Original art on your walls doesn't have to break the bank.

After making a splash last year in Austin, the Affordable Art Fair will host its second Texas show in Houston this October.

Nothing helps define a personal space like an art collection, but for many people the idea of owning original works seems far outside of a normal budget. The Affordable Art Fair is a traveling show dedicated to living artists aimed at the average consumer.

Photo courtesy of Affordable Art Fair

Original art on your walls doesn't have to break the bank.

“Bringing Affordable Art Fair to Houston is about becoming part of a creative community that’s already thriving,” fair director Cori Teague said in a statement. “Houston’s art scene is shaped by its diversity, its artists, and the local galleries that champion them every day. We’re excited to work hand-in-hand with Houston and Texas galleries to uplift local voices, support working artists, and create an inviting space where the community can come together to discover and collect art.”

The show will run at the George R. Brown Convention Center from Thursday, October 15 to Sunday, October 18. Tickets go on sale Monday, July 13 and will be available at AffordableArtFair.com. Prices of works in the fair range from $100 to $12,000.

Some of the local galleries that will be a part of the fair include Off the Wall, who showcases contemporary art from their location in the Galleria; Gallery A.M.P.S., who specializes in figurative art; and Koelsch Gallery, whose collection of outsider, self-taught, and folk art always has something unique to display. In total, 55 galleries from across the world are participating, with a full list expected to be released soon. Curators and gallery owners will be on hand to explain the history and context of pieces, adding further value to attending.

Events like Affordable Art Fair expand access to establishing an art collection, opening up the world of contemporary art to more buyers and allowing artists to expand their audiences. There's no reason a person should have to make due with Live Laugh Love signs from Target for their walls.

“Affordable Art Fair is designed to remove the barriers often associated with collecting art,” said Cristina Salmastrelli, U.S. regional managing director. “By bringing knowledgeable galleries and a wide range of price points together under one roof, we empower visitors to explore confidently and connect with work that truly resonates with them — no matter where they are in their collecting journey.”

visual-art shopping affordable art fair