The Menil’s Reopening Plan

Covid shut its doors in March, but the Menil reopens with an artful vengeance next weekend.

Paul Hester
Installation view of Helen Frankenthaler, Hybrid Vigor, 1973. Photo by Paul Hester.
Installation view of Helen Frankenthaler, Hybrid Vigor, 1973. Photo by Paul Hester.

After six months of Covid-related closures, The Menil has announced its buildings will reopen on Saturday, Sept. 12.


The refreshed displays will include works by Dan Flavin, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol and others; a 1973 painting by Helen Frankenthaler, which has not been publicly exhibited in more than 40 years, will hang in the main building. An exhibit that opened at the beginning of this year, Photography and the Surreal Imagination, will be continued. And in the Menil Drawing Institute, patrons will find an extension of the exhibit of Think of Them as Spaces: Brice Marden’s Drawings.

At the end of the month, two major exhibitions debut: Allora & Calzadilla: Specters of Noon, with seven newly commissioned pieces by Puerto Rico’s Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla, inspired by the Menil’s collection of Surrealist works; and Virginia Jarmillo: The Curvilinear Paintings, featuring eight canvases from the early 1970s in the artist’s first solo museum show.

The Menil Collection is enforcing the use of face masks and requesting tickets be reserved in advance online.

AT TOP: Installation view of Helen Frankenthaler, Hybrid Vigor, 1973.

Art+Culture
Leadership in Action: ‘Setting Clear Goals’ Among Secrets of Success for Attorney Jess Bailey

How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places

Lauren Anderson and Fady Armanious

EVER A GLAMOROUS event, the Houston Ballet's annual black-tie ball was a glimmering affair at the Wortham, where 500 guests joined event chairs Kristy and Chris Bradshaw and Melissa Juneau.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

Gayla Gardner, Jacquie Baly and Julie Baker Finck

THE DOCTOR IS in! One of Houston’s most engaged civic leaders, Jacquie Baly, has a new title after earning her Doctorate in Education and Organizational Change & Leadership from USC. And some of the city’s heavy hitters turned up for a swanky reception at Tony’s to congratulate her. “Education and community leadership go hand in hand,” said Dr. Baly. “This honor fuels my continued mission to create meaningful change.”

And they weren’t alone in their admiration. Both the City of Houston and the State of Texas declared the day of the to-do “Dr. Jacquie Baly Day,” complete with official proclamations.

Keep Reading Show less
Style+Culture