Resilience and Renewal in a Year of Challenge
Rothko Chapel’s program season unfolded in the shadow of Hurricane Beryl, which struck 
just as our season was set to begin in July 2024. The storm caused significant damage to 
several paintings and forced the Chapel to close its doors for five months, yet even in this 
period of challenge, the Chapel’s work did not pause. 
Through the resilience of our staff, the strength of community partnerships, and the 
unwavering support of our friends, donors, and audiences, our season moved forward 
with determination and purpose. Programs were carried on across the city—into museums, 
churches, universities, and cultural centers—transforming Houston into an extended 
sanctuary for contemplation, dialogue, and collective healing.
Off-site gatherings became a powerful reminder that the Chapel is more than its physical 
walls. Whether exploring the intersections of spirituality and human rights, engaging in 
interfaith reflection, or offering moments of stillness and renewal, our programs continued 
to advance the Chapel’s mission at a time when connection, compassion, and justice were 
needed most.
Peace and Global Perspectives
The season opened on September 6, 2024, with a Concert for Peace in partnership 
with the Jaipur Literature Festival Houston and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. 
Sitarist Pandit Shubhendra Rao and cellist Saskia Rao-de Haas, accompanied by 
Subroto Bhattacharya on tabla, offered a contemplative performance in observance 
of the International Day of Peace. Youth poets from Fay School and a lecture by 
Bradley Bailey, Curator of Asian Art, enriched the evening, underscoring the Chapel’s 
role as a convener of global artistic and cultural dialogue.
Program Highlights
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