The Rothko Chapel is reopening to the public on December 17th after closing due to damage sustained during Hurricane Beryl. In the interim, the Rothko Chapel Welcome House is open Tues to Sun, 11am-5pm. For more information, click here.
December 04, 2024
Houston, TX – The Rothko Chapel, which has been closed since Hurricane Beryl hit Houston last July, has announced that it will reopen to the public on December 17. The Chapel will be open during the following holiday hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, December 17–22, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. December 24–January 5 (except on December 25 and January 1, when hours will be 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.).
Hurricane Beryl brought exceptionally heavy rain and gale-force winds that resulted in leakage through the Chapel’s roof. Part of the ceiling and several walls sustained water damage, and four of Mark Rothko’s panels were also affected to varying degrees. Immediately after the storm, the Chapel engaged Whitten & Proctor Fine Art Conservation, one of the country’s premier art-conservation firms, to lead the conservation analysis and assessment. The affected panels are now undergoing careful restoration at an off-site facility and will be returned to the Chapel once the work is complete, with additional information on them forthcoming. The water-streaked walls and ceiling have also been repaired and repainted.
"Since the storm, our focus has been on the complete repair of the building, the restoration of the damaged panels, and on the reopening of the building so the public once again has access to this beloved space for contemplation and meditation,” said Executive Director David Leslie. “Getting to this point has been a true community effort involving an amazing team of art conservators, scientists, art handlers, volunteers, community partners, and Chapel staff, and we are very excited to reopen in time for the holidays.”
The Chapel resumed its program season this fall at off-site locations, and will host its first program in the Chapel – its annual MLK Observance, "Sick of War: Discussing Health Impacts of US Militarism” – on January 15, 2025. The Suzanne Deal Booth Welcome House, located at 1410 Sul Ross Street, remains open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday to provide information and hospitality to those who visit.
For the latest updates, registration for programming, and information on how best to support the Chapel’s recovery efforts, please visit the website at rothkochapel.org.