by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman
February 15, 2026
The Studying Room provides programming for all ages devoted to studying extra about Black artwork historical past.
The Studying Room in Houston provides guests an opportunity to encompass themselves with Black artwork historical past by means of its books.
Situated on the Sanman Studios in downtown Houston, The Studying Room is a curation of Black tradition, data, and pleasure, primarily by means of 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 might be surrounded by books—Black artwork books, particularly,” she defined to Houstonia.
Solely seeing these books scattered throughout reveals, Gipson sought to construct upon her first artwork guide. (She now now has greater than 800.) The artwork historical past graduate now needs all to dive contained in the world of Black diasporic artwork and tradition.
“On the core of it, it’s Black. It’s Black diasporic…It’s Southern…It’s international 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 guide is among the many cabinets.
Earlier than The Studying 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 form 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 attractive. 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 an instructional self-discipline and a spotlight in a museum. Based on Artnet, works by Black girls artists solely account for .5% of acquisitions throughout 31 artwork museums in the USA.
“My motivation for creating this area is to offer that kind of entry to different individuals who don’t essentially have the chance to check artwork historical past,” Gipson mentioned. “Of us who’re curious ought to be capable of come into an area and be taught with out feeling like there’s some form of limitation to the entry or behavioral expectation.”
Devoted to showcasing Black artwork, life, and tales, The Studying Room stays 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 reside, who we’re, and to creating this superb place the place we are able to really feel protected and celebrated it doesn’t matter what occurs.”
Guests can witness the Black artwork library without cost and packages can be found all year long.
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