Saturday, April 18, 2026
1:00 PM

2026 Neighborhood Community Day  

1-2pm | “Art Class for Families with Kandinsky” by Express Children's Theatre (Chapel Sanctuary) 
Pay What You Can Tickets $5 - 25 | General admission bench seating  

2-4pm | Calligraphy & Henna Demonstrations by Islamic Arts Society (Garden) 
Free, Drop-in Activity

Thanks to a twist in the space/time continuum, Wassily Kandinsky, celebrated painter and pioneer of abstract modern art, was transported from 1930s Paris to Houston’s internationally renowned Rothko Chapel to lead a one-hour art class for families. A master of color and composition, Kandinsky guided participants through the creation of abstract artworks, with an opportunity to hang their final works in the windows of the Rothko Chapel Welcome House. Designed for kids of all ages—and parents, too—this performance, commissioned for Express Children’s Theatre, was dedicated to the life of our dear friend Tim Fried-Fiori.

The Islamic Arts Society hosted calligraphy and henna presentations and live demonstrations, offering participants hands-on experiences and opportunities to learn about the cultural and spiritual significance behind these art forms. Islamic calligraphy, the artistic practice of penmanship in languages that use the Arabic alphabet or alphabets derived from it, was explored alongside the tradition of henna (mehndi). As the art of temporary tattoo, henna holds an important place in Islamic tradition, symbolizing joy, purity, and blessing, and is often worn during Eid festivals and weddings.

About Neighborhood Community Day | Guests enjoyed an afternoon of free art, music, poetry, and family activities celebrating our vibrant neighborhood. Participating organizations included DACAMERA, Houston Center for Photography, Inprint, The Menil Collection, Rothko Chapel, Writers in the Schools (WITS), and the Watercolor Art Society.

 
Express Children’s Theatre is Houston’s oldest and largest multicultural performing arts and education organization dedicated to children and families. We celebrated our 35th year of creating and presenting professional, culturally diverse shows that were designed to entertain and educate. 

 
The Islamic Arts Society aims to share the rich heritage of Islamic arts, as art was a common language and bound diverse communities. The society organizes events to celebrate Islamic culture and promote the positive image of the Islamic community among Muslims and non-Muslims.