we can rebuild it

Houston's Rothko Chapel indefinitely closed by Hurricane Beryl damage

Photo courtesy of Rothko Chapel

One of the city's most-loved landmarks announced it's indefinite closure, following damage from Hurricane Beryl. The Rothko Chapel's ceiling and several walls sustained water damage following the storm, and three of Mark Rothko’s panels were also affected to varying degrees.

The chapel announced this week it would remain closed while it determined its next course of action, including a full damage assessment and cost of repairs. It enlisted Whitten & Proctor Fine Art Conservation, one of the country’s premier art-conservation firms, to lead the conservation analysis.

"We are deeply saddened by the impact of the hurricane on the Chapel and across Houston," executive director David Leslie said in a statement. "The Chapel’s continued stewardship of this beloved cultural and sacred site, renowned for its Mark Rothko panels, remains our highest priority, and the closure will ensure that the necessary repairs and restorations can be made as effectively and completely as required. Our focus now is on the restoration of the building and panels, and on continuing our mission of both contemplation and action at the intersection of art, spirituality, and human rights.”

The chapel stressed that it will share more details as they are available, given the developing nature of the current situation. The closure also has an affect on the chapel's fall programming slate, although it is possible those events, including the 3rd Annual Time of Remembrance: Contemplating Cycles of Life & Death on October 31 and the launch of Undivided: The Quest for Racial Solidarity in an American Church by Hahrie Han on November 7, may be held at other venues.

The interfaith chapel and art museum first opened in 1971. Fueled by a commission by arts patrons Dominique and John de Menil, it was designed to be a place where people of all backgrounds could find a refuge for prayer, meditation and shared understanding. Located between the University of St. Thomas's Chapel of St. Basil and the Menil Collection, the chapel is home to 14 paintings by artist Mark Rothko, each one created in various shades of black. It's been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2000.

The Rothko Chapel's homepage encourages visitors to check back regularly for updates. In the interim, The Suzanne Deal Booth Welcome House remains open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm.

Rothko Chapel Phase 2 expansion A rendering illustrates the new buildings coming to the Rothko campus. Rendering courtesy of ARO

The chapel last underwent renovations between 2019 and 2021 that included a new skylight, upgrades to the lighting and A/V systems, and improvements to the building’s infrastructure. Earlier this year, the Rothko announced phase two of the Opening Space project, a $42 million campaign that will add two new buildings and landscape improvements just north of the existing chapel on the other side of Sul Ross St.

Those wishing to learn more about supporting recovery efforts can find details on the chapel's website.

hurricane beryl rothko chapel

on the bright side

'First-of-its kind' Houston park reveals 6 murals by local artists

Houston artist Ade Odunfa stands in front of his mural "Salt Marsh" at the Hill at Sims.

Photo by Scott Julian, courtesy of Houston Parks Board

"Birth From the Sea" by Ade Odunfa

One of Houston's most innovative green spaces, the Hill at Sims, is edging toward completion as artists put the finishing touches on a series of six beautiful murals. They should be ready when the park has its grand opening on Saturday, May 23.

The project is being led by Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis and the Houston Parks Board. Located in Sunnyside along Sims Bayou, it combines a flooding retention pond with walkways and other infrastructure to create a unique multi-use community space. Adding a series of environmentally-themed murals highlights the project's dedication to empowering nature around Sunnyside.

“When we bring art, resilience, and opportunity together in one place, we create something that can serve and inspire future generations for decades to come," said Ellis in an emailed statement. "The Hill at Sims is a community-oriented, first-of-its-kind green space in the neighborhood I grew up in. These murals honor Sunnyside, celebrate the natural world, and help turn public space into something people feel proud to protect.”

The murals include “Impression of Nature” by Emily Ding, “Step Into the Wild” by Carlos Alberto, “Birth from the Sea," a reproduction of a John Biggers’ mural by Ade Odunfa, "The Heron and the Fish” by Ana Marietta, “Rêverie” by Amy Sol inspired by Claude Debussy’s 1890 solo piano piece, and “Salt Marsh”, another Biggers reproduction by Bimbo Adenugba.

Houston is a major mural and street art city, with an increasing number of spaces using murals to showcase local talent as well as bring a sense of identity to locations like the Hill at Sims. The green space offers both a massive natural setting in a neighborhood that has traditionally been underserved in park acreage with an elevated point to view the whole city, a rare treat in a place as flat as Houston. Thanks to the Bayou Greenways Project, a 150-mile series of trails that connects parks across Houston, people can walk or bike to the Hills at Sims if they choose to.

"Our goal is for every person who visits this park to feel that Hill at Sims truly represents the Sunnyside community. Public art is a powerful and joyful way to evoke feelings of connection and stewardship in public settings,” said Justin Schultz, President and CEO, Houston Parks Board, in an emailed statement. “Houston Parks Board is proud to support Commissioner Ellis to bring Sunnyside residents a transformative, multi-benefit greenspace that captures the spirit of Houston: turning our climate challenges into vibrant community assets.”

The total cost of Hill at Sims is $28.3 million. Funding comes from Precinct One ($18.8 million), The Brown Foundation ($7.5 million), with an additional $2 million from public federal and state funds secured by State Representative Alma Allen and Congressman Al Green. When complete, it will feature a 1.6 mile basin loop trail, water access pier, a parking lot, a 2,000-square-foot open air pavilion with restrooms, flexible lawn space for active programming, and picnic pavilions.

parks visual-art hills at sims anderson