rothko chapel closes indefinitely due to hurricane beryl damages

rothko chapel sustains hurricane damages

The Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas, a celebrated sacred space originally built in 1971, has closed indefinitely due to damage sustained during Hurricane Beryl last month. Exceptionally heavy rain and gale-force winds during the storm resulted in some leakage through the roof. Part of the ceiling and several walls sustained water damage, and four of Mark Rothko’s panels were also affected to varying degrees. The Chapel has engaged Whitten & Proctor Fine Art Conservation to lead the analysis and assessment, with the full cost of repairs and the extent of the damage still being determined.

UPDATE December 4th, 2024: Houston’s Rothko Chapel is set to reopen its doors on December 17 after undergoing extensive repairs necessitated by damage from Hurricane Beryl last July. The ceiling and walls of the Chapel have been fully repaired and repainted, while the affected Rothko panels were transported to an off-site conservation facility for treatment. While details about their return remain forthcoming, the Chapel assures the public that they will be reintegrated as soon as the restoration is complete.

‘Since the storm, our focus has been on the complete repair of the building, the restoration of the damaged panels, and the reopening of the Chapel so the public once again has access to this beloved space for contemplation and meditation,’ shares 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.’

all images © Elizabeth Felicella

a renovated sacred space with fourteen Mark Rothko pieces

The Rothko Chapel had closed to the public in March 2019 to undergo restoration before re-opening to the public in 2020. Listed on the national register of historic places, the architecture is defined by its fourteen monumental Mark Rothko canvases. These works invite spiritual contemplation and engagement regardless of faith, spiritual or religious background. During renovation, the skylight, lighting design and entryway were reconfigured in concert with the original concept for the space, allowing for heightened illumination and an unimpeded interaction with the artwork.

The Rothko Chapel is closed indefinitely following sustained damages from Hurricane Beryl

restoring the building and art panels during closure

‘The Chapel’s continued stewardship of this beloved cultural and sacred site, renowned for its Mark Rothko panels, remains our highest priority, and the closure will ensure that the necessary repairs and restorations can be made as effectively and completely as required. Our focus now is on the restoration of the building and panels, and on continuing our mission of both contemplation and action at the intersection of art, spirituality, and human rights,’ shares Executive Director David Leslie.

During closure, the Rothko Chapel is also assessing its fall program season, which may include programming at alternate venues throughout Houston, with additional details forthcoming. The Suzanne Deal Booth Welcome House, located at 1410 Sul Ross Street, will remain open from 11am to 5pm Tuesday through Sunday to provide information and hospitality to those who visit. For the latest updates, as well as information on how best to support the Chapel’s hurricane recovery efforts, you can visit the website.

three Mark Rothko panels were affected