The Rothko Chapel is closed to the public for an indefinite period of time due to damage from Hurricane Beryl. The Welcome House is open 11 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday. Please continue to check our website for updates related to opening hours as more information becomes available.
February 11, 2019
EXPLORING CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE ‘ENERGY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD’
Schedule and Presenters Announced for Cross-Sector Symposium
February 28-March 2, 2019
Houston, TX Recognizing the spiritual and physical impact and implication of climate change, the Rothko Chapel, in partnership with the University of St. Thomas, is convening a three-day symposium to further education and action leading to a more livable and sustainable environment. The symposium will engage Indigenous leaders, scientists, energy sector experts, economists, artists, religious leaders, and youth activists united around the symposium theme Toward a Better Future—Transforming the Climate Crisis.
“It is not every day that you have a New York Times reporter, third generation coal miner, politician, Lakota tribal leader, MIT engineer and scientist, and Catholic nun all in the same room, let alone engaging in a conversation reimaging a new future,” says Rothko Chapel Executive Director David Leslie.
“It is clear that we all play a role in the current climate crisis and that it is going to take resilience, innovation, imagination, and all of us listening to one another and working collaboratively in order to create a new way forward. In the midst of reports and studies, gatherings such as these illustrate what the real world is doing to organize and engage in addressing one of the most serious moral crises of our time.”
George Polk Award-winning New York Times reporter Somini Sengupta will open the symposium with a keynote address on February 28 at 7pm at the Rothko Chapel. Her talk will weave together stories from her reporting about the impact of climate change especially on communities around the world living on economic, social and political margins. The conference will continue at both the Chapel and University of St. Thomas and feature panel discussions, presentations, an art exhibition, film screening, and community discussions designed to further education and action on the climate change front.
The full schedule of events including topics and presenters are listed below and can be found on the Rothko Chapel website.
To register, visit http://www.rothkochapel.org/experience/events/register/1548.
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Rothko Chapel Symposium Schedule
Friday, March 1
Morning Observance
Tiokasin Ghosthorse, founder, host, and executive producer of First Voices Indigenous Radio and member of the Cheyenne River Lakota of South Dakota.
An Interfaith Conversation on Climate Change including perspectives from the Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh traditions. This panel will be moderated by Steve Kolmes, Director of Environmental Studies program at the University of Portland in Oregon.
The Impact of Climate Change on our Mind, Body, Spirit
This panel will be moderated by Alejandro Chaoul, Director of The Jung Center’s Mind Body Spirit Institute and Director of Education at the Integrative Medicine program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The Challenges Faced by Vulnerable and Frontline Communities
This presentation and conversation will be moderated by Earthea Nance, Associate Professor in the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University.
Exploring the Science, Energy, and Economics of Climate Change and the Opportunities for Imagination and Innovation
Art Exhibition & Reception
TransArt Foundation for Art and Anthropology, 1412 W. Alabama Street, Houston, 77006, featuring artwork by Maria Christina Jadick, a Houston-based artist.
Film Screening & Talkback
Screening of Not OK at University of St. Thomas followed by talkback with directors and Rice University anthropologists Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer.
Saturday, March 2
Young Activists Speaking Out and Paving the Way for a Brighter Future
This morning session will highlight youth activists and poets.
This discussion will be moderated by Estrella Sainburg, GreenFaith Organizer.
Jayden Foytlin, a 15-year old from Rayne, Louisiana, an indigenous climate activist, and a plaintiff in the case, Juliana vs. United States.
Jackson Neal, Houston’s Youth Poet Laureate, University of Houston freshman, and a three-time member of Houston’s premier youth poetry slam team, Meta-Four Houston. He is the 2018 Space City Grand Slam Champion.
Additional presenters are being confirmed.
Communicating Climate Change
Exploring the tactics individuals have taken to communicate the impact of climate change and how it has impacted their community.
Houston Climate Action Plan Presentation and Community Discussion
The Honorable Mayor Sylvester Turner and members from the City of Houston, Air Alliance Houston, and Public Citizen.
Legislation and Public Policy Discussion
This panel will be moderated by Elizabeth Love, Senior Program Officer for the Houston Endowment, Inc. Health and Environmental Portfolios.
Additional panelists are being confirmed.
There will be an Interactive Activity at the University of St. Thomas created by Writers in the Schools and The Bayouth Collective on Friday and Saturday.
Symposium information including the full list of speakers, agenda, costs and logistics is on the Rothko Chapel website.
About Rothko Chapel
The Rothko Chapel is open to the public every day of the year at no charge. It is a contemplative space that successfully interconnects art, spirituality, and compassionate action through a broad array of free public programs. Founded by Houston philanthropists Dominique and John de Menil, the Chapel was dedicated in 1971 as an intimate sanctuary. Today it stands as a monument to art, spirituality, and human rights. As an independent non-profit institution, the Chapel depends on contributions from foundations and individuals to support its mission of creating a space for contemplation and dialogue on important issues.
About University of St. Thomas
University of St. Thomas is a private institution committed to the liberal arts and to the religious, ethical and intellectual tradition of Catholic higher education.