Rothko Chapel

Celebrating the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Rothko Chapel, in partnership with the Barbara Jordan – Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University, presented a conversation exploring the influence of MLK and the Civil Rights Movement on the environmental justice movement. Scholars, activists and community leaders explored the evolution of the e...

Offsite Program 5/16/19 Neuroscience and Visual Art: The Complex Relationship of Light, Color and the Brain Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) “It is not what you look at that matters. It is what you see.” – Henry David Thoreau Light allows us to experience our world, including art, and different lighting conditions have a profound impact on our overall visual perception. This lecture by neu...

4/8/19 Offsite: Texas Light: The Art & Architecture of the Rothko Chapel University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design Theater Presented in partnership with the University of Houston School of Architecture, this program explored the role of light in creating intentional experiences, and the history of the Rothko Chapel’s architectural design with special focus on the sky...

3/2/19 1-2:30pm Legislation and Public Policy Strategies Positive climate change outcomes depend on sound legislative decisions at the local, state, and national levels. Attendees learned about current policy initiatives and how we can be more effective advocates. Lara Cottingham, Chief of Staff of the Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department and the Chief Sustainability Officer for the Ci...

3/2/19 10:45am-12:15pm Communicating Climate Change Our current climate crisis demands that we identify new modes of communication to convey the urgent moment we find ourselves in and to demonstrate why people should care. This presentation and conversation followed the work and perspectives of an artist, former coal miner, environmental journalist and Indigenous leader. Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Found...

3/2/19 2:30-3pm Closing Reflections and Moving Forward David Leslie, Executive Director of the Rothko Chapel, and Dr. Shivas Amin, Associate Professor of Biology at the University of St. Thomas, reflected with symposium attendees on the range of topics covered and discussed some of the many opportunities for action and advocacy. The Rothko Chapel and University of St. Thomas hosted a three day sym...

3/1/19 2-5:15pm The Science, Policy, Technology, and Economics of Climate Change: Past, Present and Future This cross-sector, interactive session shined a light on the perspectives and work of scientists, economists, policy makers, environmentalists, and engineers, and included presentations, breakout discussions and a moderated conversation. Jim Blackburn, Co-Director of Severe Storm Predication,...

3/2/19 12:35-12:55pm Remarks from the Mayor of Houston The Honorable Mayor Sylvester Turner gave a short address on climate initiatives in the city of Houston. The Rothko Chapel and University of St. Thomas hosted a three day symposium exploring the current climate crisis, its impact on vulnerable communities, and mitigation efforts being implemented locally and nationally. Given the global interc...

3/1/19 12:30-1:45pm Environmental Injustices faced by Frontline, Indigenous and Vulnerable Communities This presentation and conversation included a pre-recorded message and poetry video from Marshall Islander poet Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner. From oyster beds in Louisiana, to the Quinault Indian Nation in Washington state, low income communities and communities of color are disproportionately impacted b...

2/28/19 Toward a Better Future: Transforming the Climate Crisis "The Human Toll of Climate Change: A Reporter's Reflections" Opening Keynote Address by Somini Sengupta, The New York Times International Climate Reporter and George Polk Award-winning foreign correspondent Climate change is not only about the planet -- it's about the past, present, and future of the people who live here. Sengupta sha...

3/1/19 Toward a Better Future: Transforming the Climate Crisis "Impact of Climate Change on Mind, Body, and Spirit" Panel Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Founder, Host, and Executive Producer of First Voices Indigenous Radio and member of the Cheyenne River Lakota of South Dakota Christie Manning, PhD, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and Psychology at Macalester College Umair A. Shah, Executive...

3/2/19 Toward a Better Future: Transforming the Climate Crisis 8:45-9am Morning Observance and Poetry "Multiple Choice Test after the Hurricane" by Jackson Neal, Houston Youth Poet Laureate and National Youth Poet Laureate Ambassador "Young Activists Speak Out" Panel Juan Elizondo, 31-year-old from Houston, Texas, Partnerships Coordinator and Instructional Specialist at Furr High School Jayden Foy...

This interfaith conversation explores the map of climate change and how to navigate it through the lenses of Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Sikh traditions. Panelists spoke about what they see as possible paths to take, and whether we might reimagine new ones going forward. Vijaya Nagarajan, Associate Professor in Department of Theology and Religious Studies and the Program of Environmental Studies...

2/6/2019 Twelve Moments: Stewardship Zen Buddhist Tradition with Mary Carol Edwards For the month of February, the Rothko Chapel presented a meditation on the topic of "Stewardship" in the Zen Buddhist tradition, led by Mary Carol Edwards.  This program preceded our 2019 Symposium "Toward a Better Future: Transforming the Climate Crisis" taking place February 28 through March 2 at the Rothko Chape...

2/5/2019 Poetic Reflections by Gerling-Mut Duo Poetic Reflections was performed by Dr. Ingrid Gerling (violin/voice) and Dr. Andreea Mut (piano). Each piece in the program was based on meditation, sacred text, or religiously inspired poetry, written by composers of different religious backgrounds and nationalities. Poetic Reflections aimed to share an experience of universal spirituality that can...

1/15/2019 Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration In honor of the life and work of the Rev. Dr. King, the Chapel hosted a conversation between civil rights activist and organizer Rev. Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr. and Former Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao exploring the influence of Mahatma Gandhi on Dr. King, moderated by Melanie Lawson. The program featured opening remarks by Ma...

Rev. Francene Young, Christian Tradition Wednesday, December 5, 2018 For the month of December, the Rothko Chapel presented a contemplative practice on the topic of "Justice," led by Rev. Francene Young of St. Luke the Evangelist Episcopal Church. Rev. Young led participants in reflections on passages related to the theme of justice from three different interpretations of the Bible, while providin...

11/29/18 Justicia climática: Este es el momento, este es el lugar con Elizabeth Yeampierre, directora ejecutiva de UPROSE en una conversación con Bryan Parras, co-fundador de Servicios de Fomento de Justicia del Medioambiente de Texas (T.E.J.A.S.) Cátedra Frances Tarlton “Sissy” Farenthold sobre paz, justicia social y derechos humanos Patrocinada en conjunto Bernard y Audre Rapoport para los Derec...

11/29/18 "Climate Justice: The Time is Now, The Place is Here" with Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director, UPROSE In conversation with Bryan Parras, co-founder of Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (T.E.J.A.S.) and Dirty Fuels Gulf Organizer with Sierra Club Frances Tarlton “Sissy” Farenthold Endowed Lecture Series in Peace, Social Justice and Human Rights Presented in partnership wi...

12/1/18 World AIDS Day Observance In commemoration of World AIDS Day, the Rothko Chapel hosted a morning observance to show support and solidarity with the millions of people living with and impacted by HIV/AIDS. This program was offered in partnership with The oH Project: Oral Histories of HIV/AIDS in Houston, Harris County, and Southeast Texas. The morning program included live music, personal t...

11/15/2018 34th Annual Houston Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Theme: "Care for Creation" Leading up to the 2019 Rothko Chapel Symposium on Climate Change, the 34th Annual Houston Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will focus on the environment. Leaders and members of nine different faith communities across the city will come together to share prayers, readings, chants and reflections on the theme of...

Imam Dr. Wazir Ali, Islamic Tradition Wednesday, November 7, 2018 In a national climate of increasing anger and hate, how does one even begin to consider the concept of reconciliation? In response to the barrage of hate incidents occurring across the country, most recently at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Imam Dr. Wazir Ali (Masjid Warithud-Deen Mohammed and Masjid Al-Qur’an) reflected...

Rabbi Dan Gordon, Jewish Tradition Wednesday, October 3, 2018 For the month of October, the Rothko Chapel presented contemplative storytelling on the topic of "Difference" in the Jewish tradition, led by Rabbi Dan Gordon of Temple Beth Torah. About the presenter: Rabbi Dan Gordon has been spiritual leader of Temple Beth Torah since 1998. He is involved in many interfaith activities, and has been p...

9/21/2018 International Day of Peace with members of Silkroad Ensemble In observation of International Day of Peace, the Rothko Chapel presented a performance by members of the Silkroad Ensemble, while in residency at Rice University, in collaboration with the Aga Khan Council. Performing artists included: Shawn Conley, bass; Nicholas Cords, viola; Sandeep Das, tabla; Maeve Gilchrist, harp; Kaoru...

The Rothko Chapel presented a contemplative practice and invitation to share stories one year after Hurricane Harvey. Dr. Alejandro Chaoul of Mind Body Spirit Institute at the Jung Center led participants in a meditation, and Leslie Gauna of Houston Playback Theatre led participants in reflective story telling. Participants shared their stories with others who were impacted by the storm. About the...