February 15, 2026
The Reading Room provides programming for all ages devoted to studying extra about Black artwork historical past.
The Reading Room in Houston provides guests an opportunity to encompass themselves with Black artwork historical past by its books.
Located on the Sanman Studios in downtown Houston, The Reading Room is a curation of Black tradition, data, and pleasure, primarily by its artwork historical past literature.
The thought got here to the reference library’s founder, Amarie Gipson, who “wished to discover a place the place I could possibly be surrounded by books—Black artwork books, particularly,” she explained to Houstonia.
Only seeing these books scattered throughout displays, Gipson sought to construct upon her first artwork e book. (She now now has greater than 800.) The artwork historical past graduate now desires all to dive contained in the world of Black diasporic artwork and tradition.
“At the core of it, it’s Black. It’s Black diasporic…It’s Southern…It’s world South. It’s all that,” she mentioned. The works vary from Afrofuturism to legendary authors like Zora Neale Hurtson and James Baldwin, to up to date visionaries like Spike Lee and homegrown favourite, Beyoncé, whose Cowboy Carter artwork e book is among the many cabinets.
Before The Reading Room, which began on-line in February 2023, Gibson strengthened her ardour and data within the overarching artwork scene. She helped revitalize museums, later internet hosting pop-ups till an area for the library might blossom by itself. Since then, she has fostered a brand new type of area that fosters creativity and neighborhood as a lot as studying.
Gipson added, “It’s a library. It’s simply culturally particular, younger and funky—a spot the place studying is horny. It’s enjoyable…It’s colourful…It’s calm…It’s not too overwhelming.”
Black folks stay underrepresented within the artwork historical past areas, particularly as a tutorial self-discipline and a spotlight in a museum. According to Artnet, works by Black girls artists solely account for .5% of acquisitions throughout 31 artwork museums within the United States.
“My motivation for creating this area is to offer that type of entry to different individuals who don’t essentially have the chance to check artwork historical past,” Gipson mentioned. “Folks who’re curious ought to be capable of come into an area and study with out feeling like there’s some type of limitation to the entry or behavioral expectation.”
Dedicated to showcasing Black artwork, life, and tales, The Reading Room remains grounded in archiving Black tradition whereas others can discover magnificence and common-ground with these distinct experiences.
“I’m dedicated to our tales,” Gipson mentioned. “I’m dedicated to the best way that we dwell, who we’re, and to creating this wonderful place the place we will really feel secure and celebrated it doesn’t matter what occurs.”
Visitors can witness the Black artwork library without spending a dime and applications can be found all year long.
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