Michael R. Piana

Michael R. Piana next to Barnett Newman's Broken Obelisk

As a native Houstonian, I have always known about the Rothko Chapel. I was finishing high school the year the Chapel was dedicated, so I have been familiar with the Chapel for a long time. I moved into the neighborhood in 1995, just a few blocks away, and that was when I really started to connect to the space. It became a place for me to visit. I would sit on the plaza with my dog gazing at the Broken Obelisk and just reflect on it. It was always a calming and quiet place for me.

My first real personal connection with the Chapel occurred on 9/11. That morning was so upsetting for everybody. Over the years, I had been in and out of the Chapel, but I really under-stood the significance of the Chapel space and paintings that day. I spent that afternoon meditating. I sat deeply thinking and reflecting on what had just transpired. I still remember one of the triptych panels that I stared into. I just sat there and looked at it and it really pulled me in. I could see the infinity and the spiritual openness that the painting provided. It really hit me how meaningful the depth of these paintings are and how the space was so calming. It caused me to think about how wonderful this space is in the Houston area for an impromptu visit like I had done. Subsequently, it became clearer to me how remarkable this space is with a meaningful and important mission and I wanted to be a part of it. That is why I got involved with the Chapel, first by sending in a contribution and eventually by serving on the board, where I am now the Chair.

I firmly believe that people should do proper planning to set up their wishes for what happens after their death. One of my wishes is to make sure that the Chapel has a strong financial foundation. It has been such a meaningful place for me and I want to make sure that it continues to offer these experiences to others. It is a place where you can reflect, meditate, or pray without any script. I find that incredibly valuable.

Because of the impact that the Chapel has had on me personally, and with the expanded focus on human rights and social justice issues, it has become an even more important space for me. We are fortunate to have this space in the city and I hope it is preserved for future generations. I chose to leave a gift from my estate to support the legacy of the Rothko Chapel and not the legacy of myself. I want this space to stay open for everybody because that is how it was for me.

Michael R. Piana is a native Texan whose engineering and business career brought about his current university professorship. He has supported and worked in Houston non-profit organizations focused on arts, food insecurity, and child cultural development.