Houston, TX – The Rothko Chapel’s annual Inspirit gala, which will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, benefits the internationally renowned nonprofit’s transformative programming and community leadership. This year’s event features a compelling conversation with renowned artist and activist Shepard Fairey and multidisciplinary artist Trenton Doyle Hancock, moderated by art scholar Dr. Alvia Wardlaw. Together, they will explore the powerful relationship between art and activism in addressing pressing human rights and social justice issues.
Presented at the Astorian in Houston, Inspirit – the Rothko Chapel’s biggest fundraising event each year – will gather hundreds of the Chapel’s supporters from across Texas and around the country. Proceeds will support the Chapel’s mission of creating opportunities for spiritual growth and dialogue that illuminate our shared humanity and inspire action leading to a world in which all are treated with dignity and respect.
“This year’s Inspirit gala will be an evening of profound inspiration and thought-provoking dialogue,” says David Leslie, Executive Director of the Chapel. “As we come together in support of the Chapel’s mission, we reaffirm our shared commitments to both contemplation and action, and celebrate the transformative power of the arts to foster meaningful change in our communities.”
For tables, tickets, and sponsorship information, please visit rothkochapel.org/give/inspirit or contact Thuy Tran at thuy.tran@rothkochapel.org.
Inspirit: Rothko Chapel’s Annual Evening of Inspiration
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 • The Astorian, Houston, Texas
rothkochapel.org/give/inspirit
Inspirit 2025 will again feature an online benefit art auction, presented by the McClain Gallery. Bidding will be done online from March 6 through 20, with more details to follow. Selected works will also be displayed at C2 Art Advisors in Houston for in-person viewing by prospective bidders. A preview reception will take place the evening of Thursday, March 6, at C2’s gallery space. More than 20 museum-quality works of art will be featured in this year’s auction. An edition of prints by Houston-based artist Aaron Parazette, inspired by the Rothko Chapel, will also be sold to benefit the Chapel.
The presenting sponsors for Inspirit include Maire and David Baldwin and the Muriel Pollia Foundation. Their generous support has played a pivotal role in making this event possible, and the Rothko Chapel extends its heartfelt gratitude for their commitment to the arts and community.
THE ROTHKO CHAPEL is a contemplative space that successfully interconnects art, spirituality, and compassionate action through a broad array of public programs and community initiatives. It is open to the public every day of the year at no charge. Founded by Houston philanthropists Dominique and John de Menil, the Chapel was dedicated in 1971 as an interfaith, nonsectarian sanctuary, and invites visitors from around the world to experience the power and sanctity of Mark Rothko’s monumental paintings. The Rothko Chapel is an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to create opportunities for spiritual growth and dialogue that illuminate our shared humanity and inspire action leading to a world in which all are treated with dignity and respect.
SHEPARD FAIREY is a contemporary street artist, graphic designer, activist, and founder of OBEY Clothing and creative agency Studio Number One. While at Rhode Island School of Design in 1989, he launched the “Andre the Giant has a Posse” sticker, evolving into the OBEY GIANT art campaign. His iconic 2008 Barack Obama portrait became an internationally recognized emblem of hope. Fairey’s “We The People” campaign debuted during the 2017 Women’s Marches worldwide. Known for over 135 public murals, Fairey is one of the most sought-after and provocative artists globally, redefining urban landscapes and changing conversations about art and activism.
TRENTON DOYLE HANCOCK is a celebrated contemporary artist known for his vibrant, narrative-driven works that blend painting, drawing, and sculpture. Born in 1974 in Oklahoma City and raised in Paris, Texas, Hancock creates an imaginative universe populated by characters such as the Mounds and the Vegans, exploring themes of mythology, identity, and storytelling. His work draws from comics, pop culture, and art history, offering a unique visual language. Hancock’s art has been exhibited in prestigious venues, including the Whitney Biennial and Mass MoCA, and is held in major collections worldwide. He lives and works in Houston.
DR. ALVIA J. WARDLAW is a leading art historian, curator, and scholar specializing in African American art. A professor of art history at Texas Southern University, she is also the former curator of modern and contemporary art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. As a pioneering advocate for African American artists, Wardlaw has curated groundbreaking exhibitions, including retrospectives on John Biggers and Thornton Dial. Her scholarship has brought greater recognition to underrepresented artists, and she remains a vital voice in the art world. A respected educator and mentor, Wardlaw’s contributions have shaped the field of African American art history.