Houston’s Rothko Chapel, the lauded home of 14 paintings by Mark Rothko, has been “closed to the public for an indefinite period of time” after Hurricane Beryl rocked the Gulf of Mexico last month, killing at least 25 people. The temporary closure comes amid a major renovation at Rothko Chapel’s campus by Architecture Research Office (ARO) and Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects (NBW).
The 1971 building designed by Howard Barnstone and Eugene Aubry suffered damage from the natural disaster, and now needs repairs, museum officials noted in a statement. Several Rothko paintings were damaged by the Hurricane as well, as reported by The Houston Chronicle.
Rothko Chapel officials noted “exceptionally heavy rain and gale-force winds during the storm resulted in some leakage through the Chapel’s roof. Part of the ceiling and several walls sustained water damage, and three of Mark Rothko’s panels were also affected to varying degrees.”
Whitten & Proctor Fine Art Conservation has since been employed by Rothko Chapel to lead the repair effort’s conservation analysis and assessment. The full cost of repairs, and the extent of damage, has not yet been determined.
“We are deeply saddened by the impact of the hurricane on the Chapel and across Houston,” added David Leslie, executive director. “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.”
Curators noted that the closure will impact this fall’s programming schedule. Officials may relocate programming to alternate venues throughout Houston. However the Suzanne Deal Booth Welcome House at 1410 Sul Ross Street will remain open from 11 a.m. through 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
More information about programming will be provided in the coming weeks.
