This Week in Art & Activism!

Innovative online programming accompanies a moving, timely show at the MFAH.

Screen Shot 2020-06-24 at 9.12.48 AM

The Museum of Fine Arts postponed the April opening of its Soul of a Nation show — which explores the art of the age of Black Power, from the Civil Rights movement of the ’60s to the birth of identity politics in the ’80s — due to Covid. But in the weeks since, the Black Lives Matter movement has captured the attention of the world, and the show, set to debut on Saturday and run through the end of August, is more compelling than ever.


The museum will welcome visitors to the exhibit beginning Saturday, encouraging all to purchase tickets for a specific timeslot in advance. But it will also livestream its opening-day festivities, including lectures and greetings from curators from the MFAH, Tate Modern and Hayward Gallery. Next week, expect a virtual gallery tour — with video, audio and photography — to be live on the MFAH website, and in July, listen in on several panel discussions about Black art and activism.

Meanwhile, UH’s Blaffer Art Museum remains closed, but is committed to innovative online programming. On Monday, Houston artists Jamal Cyrus and Phillip Pyle II launched a collaborative digital project on the Blaffer Instagram account. In If Not Now, When?!, the artists explore civil-rights protests of the past and reflect on life in the Third Ward.

And the Rothko Chapel, which was slated to reopen this month after an extensive restoration, remains closed due to COVID. But the virus won’t delay its presentation of the Oscar Romero Award, which has been given biannually for more than 30 years, to those who demonstrate a deep commitment to grassroots human rights advocacy. Join via Vimeo on June 30 at 6pm, with a suggested donation of $5-$15.

AT TOP: A shot from “Rhapsody in Black and White” at Blaffer Art Museum in 2008

Dispatches
Timeless Appeal at The Village: Sophisticated Retirement Living

THE STANDARD BEARER FOR LUXURY

We built The Village communities to exemplify sophisticated retirement living in Houston, surrounded by the heritage neighborhood of River Oaks, Tanglewood and Southampton. Each offers impeccable designer finishes and Aspenwood service detail with dining and resortstyle amenities making them premier locations for discerning Houstonians and their families. Impressive, spacious residential floor plans, generous natural light, and expansive terraces allow a new level of indoor-outdoor living. Beautiful spaces are designed for entertaining, fitness, and relaxation with a dedicated team to provide a secure lock and leave lifestyle for our members.

Keep Reading Show less

Ally Shell and Martijn van Koolwijk

BLAME IT ON the Moon! Mercury Chamber Orchestra’s 2025 gala at the Thompson hotel — themed “Moonlight Serenade and chaired by Ally Shell and Martijn Van Koolwijk — was a night of glamour and big band vibes, raising more than $350,000 for the company.

Keep Reading Show less
Art+Culture

Glenda and Russell Gordy and Alicia and Garrett Gordy (photo by Wilson Parish)

EVEN AS RODEO season winds down, the party people at the Stage Houston theater company were still donning boots and shouting yahoo — and taking in a record haul of $1.4 million!

Keep Reading Show less