New York-based artist Teresita Fernández has been selected as the first participant in a new commissions program for the reopening of the Menil Collection’s Fresco Building in Houston, scheduled for late 2027. The historic structure, closed since 2018, will be repurposed for semi-permanent, site-specific installations, and its reopening will coincide with the fortieth anniversary of the Menil’s main building. Fernández’s ambitious, site-specific work will address themes of spirituality and the human condition, continuing her exploration of landscape, place, and Indigenous histories.
This commission marks a significant moment for the Menil Collection, as it revitalizes a landmark building originally designed to house 13th-century Byzantine frescoes. Fernández, a MacArthur Fellow known for immersive, large-scale installations, brings a contemporary perspective to a space with deep historical and spiritual resonance. The project underscores the Menil’s commitment to site-specific art and its role in fostering dialogue between past and present, while also highlighting Fernández’s ongoing influence in the art world.