Rienzi Programs and Events

Educational programs at Rienzi seek to inspire all audiences to engage with the collection through a variety of programs and activities throughout the year. Adult learners have the opportunity to attend lectures and gallery talks given by MFAH curators and visiting academics. Docent-led tours and special themed tours provide a more in-depth understanding of the collection and encourage close study of the art objects on view. Music lovers can enjoy opera recitals and period music performed in Rienzi’s intimate galleries, creating a unique aesthetic experience. Interactive family programs such as storytime, family days and art workshops create fun learning opportunities for the youngest of visitors. Art students and aspiring artists are invited to Rienzi for periodic sketching sessions and art-making workshops. Rienzi’s high-quality educational programs will enlighten and delight every visitor.

Lectures & Talks

Annual Lecture
Each fall, Rienzi hosts scholarly lectures on subjects related to English and European decorative arts and fine arts. To receive information on upcoming events, sign up for Rienzi’s e-newsletter.

Gallery Talks
On the third Thursday of the month at 1 p.m., Gallery Talks highlight great works of art in the Rienzi Collection. Speakers include museum curators, conservators, educators, and librarians. Reservations are encouraged. Admission is free.

Twilight Talks
Rienzi opens its doors at twilight! Treat yourself to an engaging short lecture, an open house tour of the collection, and social time over wine and bites. Admission is $15, reception included.

Book Club

Join Great Conversations about Good Books
The two MFAH house museums host a history-book discussion series about life in America and Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. The book club meets alternately at Rienzi and Bayou Bend on the second Wednesday of every month, with free discussions at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

► Additional Information / Upcoming Selections

Sketching in the Galleries

Draw from 18th-century decorative art objects in the Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical styles during Rienzi’s open sketching hours. The galleries hold treasures for every artist: space and light, interior design, historical narrative, decorative motifs, reflective surfaces, intriguing shapes, and form inspired by function. Sketching hours are held on Wednesdays from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Check the calendar for periodic cancellations during the year due to special events. General admission.

Artist Workshops


Explore your creative side while developing new skills. Artists lead participants through an afternoon training; produce a work of your own! No prerequisites, recommended for adults. Class size is limited; the registration fee of $15 (nonrefundable) includes basic supplies and is requested at time of reservation.

Watercolors in the Gardens
Saturday, March 17, 2012
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Children's Programs

A Great Read
Activities and programs related to Rienzi and the language arts are held throughout the year, including art workshops, family days, storytime tours, and diverse performances. Rienzi's "A Great Read" programs are funded by the Sterling-Terner Foundation.

July Family Art Workshops
Family Art Workshops encourage families to come together to create art, write stories and poems, and watch performances inspired by Rienzi’s collection. Admission is free, space is limited and reservations are required. Recommended ages: 4+

Summer Storytime Tours
Introduce children to the magic of art and literature in an intimate, house-museum setting. Rienzi's Storytime Tour is a fun and interactive activity featuring stories related to themes highlighted in the Rienzi Collection. Wednesdays in June and July. Admission is free. Recommended ages: 3+

Free Family Days

Rienzi welcomes families with children of all ages to a joyful and fulfilling museum experience. Take a walk through tour of the collection, participate in a range of activities, and explore your talents through creative workshops. Admission is free. Light refreshments are served. No reservations necessary.

Sunday, March 25, 2012 at 1 p.m. The Splendor of Spring
Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 1 p.m. A Symphony of Sounds

Special Topic Tours

Porcelain Masterpieces
Gain a rich perspective on Rienzi’s art treasures through special topic tours of the collection. This year, Rienzi’s docents invite you to explore the porcelain splendors of Rienzi. This tour introduces visitors to the inspiring development of "white gold" in Europe during the 18th century. Discover the monarchs and vibrant commercial markets that fed the rise of Meissen, Sèvres, and Worcester's extraordinary porcelain creations. Fueled by rivalry and scientific innovation, the porcelain masterpieces reveal the ever rising standards of patrons, the diverse function of wares, and the exquisite skill of Europe's modelers, painters, and gilders alike. Check the calendar for tour dates and times.

Twilight Tours
Thursdays in May, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Relax and see Rienzi and its gardens at twilight. Docents are stationed throughout the house to greet guests and to interpret the collection. Light hors d'oeuvres and wine are served as guests enjoy live music. Admission is $15. No reservations required

Holiday Twilight Tour
Rienzi gets all dressed up for Christmas! Celebrate the season with a tour of Rienzi when it is beautifully decorated for the holidays. Enjoy live music and a reception with holiday goodies and wine. Docents are on hand to highlight the Masterson family ornaments. Admission is $15. No reservations required.

Spring House and Gardens Days

Rienzi and Bayou Bend invite you to join in a spring affair of home and garden tours during Houston’s most beautiful time of year. Designed for adult gardening enthusiasts.

Spring House and Gardens Days 2012
Saturday, March 17, 10 a.m.– 5 p.m.
Sunday, March 18, 1– 5 p.m.

Admission
$15 for a two-day pass
$10 for a single-day pass
Light refreshments provided. Free parking at Bayou Bend; complimentary shuttle service between the two house museums.

Rienzi Docent Program

Rienzi’s docent program was established in 1999, the year Rienzi opened to the public. All visitors to Rienzi are personally welcomed and guided through the collection. Docents bring the art, architecture, and history of this house museum to life, sharing a wealth of insights about Rienzi as the former home of Carroll Sterling and Harris Masterson III, and the numerous European decorative art treasures it holds.

The docent organization is formed by about 65 active volunteers. This community is richly diverse; members have a broad range of professional backgrounds and international travel experience. All share a love of knowledge, people, history, art, and culture. In addition to leading tours, docents partake in monthly trainings, and many attend MFAH lectures and gallery talks. In support of this invaluable group, Rienzi hosts several social events every year to recognize the docents’ remarkable contributions to the education department, museum guests, and broader community.

Becoming a Rienzi

Docent

Rienzi

recruits a new docent class every two years. Interested candidates are invited to an open house coffee to learn about the program and training course. Prospective docents will be invited for an interview with the education staff; a minimum two year volunteer commitment is requested. The new docent class meets once per week September through December. In the fall, new docents receive focused instruction from MFAH curators and educators who are specialized in various aspects of the collection. The following spring, new docents complete practice tours and begin volunteering. Please e-mail rienzi@mfah.org with questions or to request a reminder e-mail as the next open house nears.