Rothko Chapel

07/04/2025

The Rothko Chapel is open today, July 4th, from 10 AM – 6 PM.

Whether you're seeking a moment of reflection, quiet contemplation, or meaningful connection on this national holiday, our doors are open to welcome you.

Come as you are. All are welcome.

06/23/2025

This past Friday, the Rothko Chapel marked the Summer Solstice with a day of sound, reflection, and community. From sunrise to sunset, our programs invited guests to engage with the Chapel’s mission through powerful performances grounded in cultural tradition and contemporary artistry.

The day began with the world premiere of Kinetic Process, a new work by acclaimed pianist and composer Matthew Shipp, co-commissioned by Nameless Sound and the Rothko Chapel. Performed inside the Chapel at 8:30 a.m. and noon, Shipp’s composition was written specifically for this space and occasion. Drawing from jazz, classical, and abstract expressionism, his performance offered a meditative soundscape that mirrored the resonance and stillness of Rothko’s paintings.

That evening, more than 300 attendees gathered on the Chapel plaza for a vibrant outdoor performance by Kaminari Taiko of Houston. This Japanese drumming ensemble, founded by Jay Mochizuki and trained under master Taiko artists, brought centuries-old rhythms to life. Their dynamic set honored Taiko’s deep cultural significance—as a tool of ceremony, communication, and purification—and offered a powerful close to the longest day of the year.

We extend our sincere thanks to Matthew Shipp, Nameless Sound, and Kaminari Taiko of Houston for their artistry, and to all who joined us. Your presence helped create a meaningful celebration of light, rhythm, and renewal.

06/06/2025

A Decade of Dedication: Thank You, David Leslie

As David Leslie concludes his remarkable 10-year tenure as Executive Director of the Rothko Chapel at the end of the month, we extend our deepest gratitude for his steadfast leadership, compassionate vision, and unwavering commitment to our mission. Over the past decade, David has guided the Chapel through periods of profound growth and challenge, expanding our reach while remaining rooted in the values of spiritual reflection, social justice, and human rights. His presence has shaped not only the work we do but the way we show up for one another and our global community.

We will miss his wisdom, his care—and yes, his perfectly timed jokes that brought both levity and connection to our days.

Thank you, David. You leave an enduring legacy, and we are all better for it.

06/02/2025

Our Executive Director shares heartfelt reflections on 10 years of serving the Houston community. From fostering dialogue to offering a sanctuary for reflection, the Chapel continues to be a space of peace, justice, and spiritual connection.

"I'm really pleased that the chapel remains a hospitable, welcoming place for people to come."
— David Leslie, Executive Director

Read the full article from the Houston Chronicle:
https://www.chron.com/culture/religion/article/houston-rothko-chapel-executive-director-20355607.php

David Leslie has led the Houston chapel for a decade. In an interview with Chron, he talks about the rich experience he gained as its executive director.

05/30/2025

It's that time of year again when the Rothko Chapel Plaza is transformed into a vibrant gathering space for our annual Summer Solstice celebration. This beloved evening is always filled with joy, dance, and shared community spirit.

Join us on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM for Summer Solstice Evening: Kaminari Taiko. General admission chair seating will be available on the Plaza, with a suggested "Pay What You Can" contribution of $10–$25.

Kaminari Taiko of Houston, a dynamic Japanese drumming ensemble, will mark the close of the longest day of the year with an electrifying performance. In Japanese, "taiko" means drum, and this art form holds powerful cultural significance. Historically, taiko was used by samurai on the battlefield to signal commands and intimidate opponents, by townspeople to sound warnings, and by priests in sacred rituals to communicate with the divine. Today, taiko continues to symbolize purification and the dispelling of evil spirits, with drums still prominently displayed in temples and shrines across Japan.

Founded in 1996 by Jay Mochizuki and a collective of diverse musicians, Kaminari Taiko has trained under esteemed taiko masters such as Daihachi Oguchi, Seiichi Tanaka, Kenny Endo, and Takemasa Ishikura. Their performances reflect the deep discipline, philosophy, and spirit of this centuries-old Japanese tradition.

We look forward to welcoming you for this special evening of sound, rhythm, and celebration.

Register here: https://www.rothkochapel.org/experience/events/register/2590

05/23/2025

Nameless Sound and Rothko Chapel Present: A World Premiere by Matthew Shipp

On the occasion of the Summer Solstice, we invite you to experience a one-of-a-kind performance inside the Rothko Chapel.

Kinetic Process, composed especially for this sacred space by renowned pianist and composer Matthew Shipp, will receive its world premiere. Shipp is a pioneering figure in avant-garde jazz whose sonic language draws from jazz, classical modernism, and abstract expressionism.

His compositions unfold as vibrating sculptures—sonic forms made of air, rhythm, and time. Set within the Rothko Chapel, where painted fields resonate in stillness and light, this performance becomes a living conversation between sound and space, movement and meditation.

How will sound move the eye?
How will color orient the ear?
Where will these monumental forms of sound and light meet?

Critics call his work “a surrealist narrative” (New York Times) and “a fresh range of possibilities for contemporary pianism” (Wall Street Journal).

Register now to be part of this powerful moment of artistic convergence:
https://www.rothkochapel.org/experience/events/register/2588

05/21/2025

Free Items Available — Suggested Donations Welcome

Visit 1409 & 1415 Sul Ross on the Rothko Chapel campus to browse a variety of items we’re giving away, including desks, file cabinets (like those pictured), and more.

Tables with free items will remain outside overnight and through most of tomorrow. After that, any remaining items will be placed on desks and file cabinets — which are also available — and will remain accessible throughout the weekend.

Take what you need, and if you’re able, donations can be made at the Welcome House between 10 AM and 6 PM. First come, first served.

05/21/2025

This past weekend, over 100 attendees joined us at the Rothko Chapel for a joyful afternoon of creativity, culture, and community as part of our Neighborhood Community Day.

Thanks to a crack in the artistic space/time continuum, the internationally renowned Frida Kahlo, brought to life by Express Children’s Theatre, led an engaging art class for families inside the Chapel. Outside on the Plaza, the Islamic Arts Society offered a stunning live calligraphy demonstration, giving guests a chance to take home personalized artwork.

The Chapel was reimagined through the lens of youth, transforming the space into a vibrant hub of imagination and expression. For many attendees, this event also served as their first introduction to the Rothko Chapel, and we are honored to have welcomed them into our space in such a meaningful way.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our partners—Express Children's Theatre, the Islamic Arts Society, and Casa Ramirez, who generously sponsored art supplies—for helping bring this day to life.

05/14/2025

We’re grateful to share that the Rothko Chapel has received a grant to help restore the murals damaged during Hurricane Beryl. It’s been a challenging year, but this support marks a meaningful step towards preservation. Thank you to everyone who continues to believe in the power of this space.

Bank of America's Art Conservation Project will bankroll the Houston chapel's repair of the beloved works that were nearly ruined by water from the 2024 storm.

05/08/2025

This past Saturday, families gathered inside the sacred stillness of the Rothko Chapel for a morning of mindfulness, movement, and heart-centered connection.

Led by the incredible Jordie of Align Mind, young children (Pre-K to 3rd grade) and their caregivers explored animal-themed yoga, calming breathwork, mindful art-making, and a gentle, child-friendly meditation—all in a space known globally for peace and reflection.

From giggles during yoga poses to quiet focus during meditation, the energy in the Chapel was joyful, grounding, and unforgettable.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped create a moment of emotional reset and renewal for the whole family.

Stay tuned for more family-centered programming at the Rothko Chapel—we look forward to welcoming you again soon.

05/07/2025

Rothko Chapel Yard Sale – Thursday, 10:30AM–3PM

We’re preparing to move into our new Administration Building at the end of the summer—and it’s time to lighten the load! Join us at the Annex this Thursday for a one-day yard sale. We’re offering desks, file cabinets, task chairs, tables, standing desks (Varidesks), trash bins, and more. Most items available for a suggested donation of $2–$30. Come early—items available on a first-come, first-served basis!

Meet us at 1415 Sul Ross tomorrow!

05/01/2025

We’re proud to share that the Rothko Chapel has been named one of sixteen global recipients of the 2025 Bank of America Art Conservation Project. This prestigious grant will support the conservation of the Triptych on the East Wall of the Chapel—ensuring this iconic work continues to inspire future generations.
Pictured here in London: our Executive Director David Leslie with David Ruiz, Manager, Community Engagement at Bank of America, and Bernard Mensah, President of International at Bank of America.

This recognition places us in extraordinary company, including the Sydney Opera House, the National Portrait Gallery (Washington, D.C.), the Städel Museum (Frankfurt), Sir John Soane’s Museum (London), and Museo de Artes Visuales (Chile).
We’re deeply thankful to Bank of America for this honor and for their continued support of cultural heritage around the world.