About | Houston Seminar

The Houston Seminar was founded in 1977 to stimulate learning and cultural awareness by sponsoring courses on political and social issues and the arts.

The non-profit organization typically offers six to eight lecture series and tours each spring and fall. Topics may include art, music, literature, dance, theater, architecture, psychology, history, politics, the environment, or current trends and events. Courses may take the form of workshops, formal lecture series, symposia, lecture/performances or guided tours. Speakers are well known in their fields and often provide new insights as well as in-depth information for their audiences.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most Houston Seminar programs are being held remotely via Zoom. Scheduling is varied and flexible, with courses taking place at various times of day. Some courses are complete in one or two sessions. Others meet weekly or every other week for several weeks.

Formal lectures usually include a question-and-answer period. Lecture performances feature musicians, actors, directors or critics. Guided tours provide behind-the-scenes viewing of art collections, focused community project visits, architectural walks and hidden places. Occasional study tours offer carefully planned, thoughtfully paced group travel.

A volunteer Board of Directors organizes all courses and publishes seasonal brochures and fliers. Attendance fees cover honoraria, expenses and overhead. Reduced fees are often available for students and teachers.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Vera Baker
Gina Barrios
Marcela Descalzi Brave
Diane Cannon
Barbara Catechis
Janet Clark
Liz Crowell
Erika de la Garza
Anne Furse
Marta Galicki
Gastonia “Terri” Goodman
Sis Johnson
Lynn Kelly
Rainey Knudson
Marley Lott
Nancy Manderson
Hadia Mawlawi
Judy Nyquist
Elora Shehabuddin
Carlisle Vandervoort
Bess Wareing
Vallette Windham

ADVISORY BOARD

Gail Adler
Nancy Crow Allen
Bettie Cartwright
Jan Cato
Kathleen Huggins Clarke
Sandy Godfrey
Kate Hawk
Nancy F. Haywood
Pamela Howard
Josephine John
Emilie S. Kilgore
Gaye V. McCullough
Evelyn Thomas Nolen
Ann Norwood
Mary Flood Nugent
Beverly “Sam” Ramirez
Louisa Stude Sarofim
Anne Schlumberger
Jacqueline Andre Schmeal
Dorothea Shaddock
Hinda Simon
Barbara Sklar
Josephine Powell Smith
Ginger Teague
Gay Tigner
Emily Todd

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News

New Speaker Added for A House and A Home
The October 7th session of A House and a Home: Reckoning with Racial Disparity in Property Ownership will now be led by Stephany Mgbadigha, Air Alliance Houston’s Advocacy and Legal Director. We are thrilled that she’ll be sharing with us her expertise on the important connections between environmental justice and the wealth gap.

1013643
East End Rising Tour Waitlist
The September 25th East End Rising Study Tour is currently at capacity. We have started a waitlist, please visit the course page to add your name to be notified if space becomes available.

1013480
Houston’s Newest Opera Venue – Date and Time TBA – Waitlist Now Available
We have now opened a waitlist for Houston’s Newest Opera Venue. Please note the date for this course is not yet set. The brochure mentions a date and time on the registration page, but it is not correct. Very sorry for any inconvenience. Please contact the registrar at 713-666-9000 or [email protected] with any questions.

1011137

The Houston Seminar