Amarie Gipson is a multifaceted individual with a passion for asking thought-provoking questions. With a background at prestigious institutions like The Contemporary Austin, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Studio Museum in Harlem, Gipson has honed her skills in examining structures and pushing boundaries. Her inquisitive nature is deeply rooted in a profound respect for individuals from all walks of life, with a primary objective of expanding the potential of art beyond the confines of traditional museum settings.
Gipson wears many hats – she is a writer, curator, DJ, and the founder of The Reading Room, an independent reference library housing over 700 books dedicated to Black art, culture, politics, and history. From the comprehensive African Artists to literary works like Toni Morrison’s Sula and Angela Davis’ incisive Freedom is a Constant Struggle, the library’s collection spans genres while focusing on the richness of Black life. This intentional curation allows Gipson and visitors to immerse themselves in the world of those who have inspired the library.
During a video conversation in late April 2025, I had the opportunity to speak with Gipson about her affinity for the South, her dedication to meeting people where they are, and her vision for The Reading Room.
The following conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Grace: Let’s start at the beginning. Why did you choose to initiate a project like this in Houston?
Amarie: I draw inspiration from numerous exceptional Black women writers, artists, curators, thinkers, and theorists. I take to heart the counsel I’ve gleaned from their works. If something doesn’t exist, create it. After traversing different parts of the country, I returned to Houston seven and a half years ago, only to find that The Reading Room didn’t exist. I felt a compelling need for it to exist. I desired a space outside my apartment where I could engage with my books, and I also wanted to establish a welcoming destination for visitors to the city. These were the primary motivations – the absence of such a space and the necessity for a communal hub.
Grace: In cities like Chicago, there’s often a prevailing sentiment that to achieve a certain level of success, artists must migrate to New York or Los Angeles. I imagine Houston shares a similar dynamic.
Amarie: Absolutely. It’s crucial for everyone to venture beyond their hometown at some point. However, the reason for leaving should not stem from a lack of existing opportunities but from a desire to explore and bring back new experiences. Return home and create what you wish to see there.
Establishing The Reading Room in New York or Chicago would be inconceivable for me. I feel more empowered in Houston – it’s where I feel safe to create something significant, particularly in a state fraught with political and social suppression. Despite these challenges, Houston stands resolute, especially in its cultural landscape. Therefore, it felt like a natural fit for The Reading Room.
Grace: Could you tell us more about the location of The Reading Room in Houston?
What more can we do to connect to the people? How can we bridge the gap between the folks who care about Black art and those who care about Black people and the things that affect us?
Amarie Gipson
Amarie: The Reading Room is situated in north downtown, adjacent to the University of Houston’s downtown campus. While downtown may not be the most vibrant part of the city, it serves as a melting pot of diverse cultures. The Reading Room finds its home within Sanman Studios, a hybrid art studio encompassing event spaces, production studios, art galleries, and artist residency workspaces. This locale epitomizes Houston’s creative pulse.
Grace: How has your institutional training influenced The Reading Room, and in what ways have these experiences motivated you to create a space that defies traditional institutional norms?
Amarie: My foray into the curatorial realm began around 2016, during a time when philanthropic institutions were seeking to diversify their staff. I participated in the Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, while still a junior in college. This program provided me with invaluable insights into the inner workings of museums, from exhibition production to art storage and curator collaboration. During my tenure at the MFAH’s Prints and Drawings department, I noticed the dearth of visibility for Black artists in the collection. It dawned on me that without advocates pushing for these works to be showcased, they would remain hidden. This realization prompted me to delve deeper into the purpose and responsibilities of art institutions.
My career trajectory led me to Chicago and New York, where I explored various museums in search of answers. A pivotal moment occurred when I secured a position at the Studio Museum in Harlem, a revered institution within the Black art community. However, my enthusiasm waned when the institution’s response to societal issues fell short of my expectations. I yearned for a deeper connection between art enthusiasts and individuals invested in broader social issues affecting the Black community.
Subsequently, I made the decision to depart from that role and align my convictions with actionable initiatives. Drawing on the skills acquired throughout my career, I embarked on a new path that prioritized everyday Black individuals, nurturing their intellectual, cultural, and creative potential. The Reading Room emerged as a culmination of these efforts, aiming to dismantle elitist hierarchies and foster a more inclusive space for artistic expression.
Grace: Your approach to blending aesthetic perspectives and critical rigor with the accessibility of a public library at The Reading Room is truly commendable. Could you shed some light on the tangible efforts involved in creating such a space?
If it’s increased access to literature, if it’s increased access to culture, if it’s just a place that has air conditioning, a place where people can come and hang out, so be it. It’s making space for it all in a way that hopefully destroys the out-of-touch, elitist hierarchy that surrounds “the work.”
Amarie Gipson
Amarie: When the idea of The Reading Room first took shape in the summer of 2021, I didn’t have a physical space. I stumbled upon an old American Apparel storefront in Montrose, where I had envisioned the concept. Intrigued by the possibility, I engaged with Seth Rogers, the proprietor of Sanman Studios, to explore the feasibility of bringing this vision to life. Simultaneously, my DJ career was flourishing, and I managed to accumulate savings from gigs to fund The Reading Room. I seized every opportunity, from speaking at events to spreading the word about the library, to garner support and raise awareness.
Following a fortuitous encounter with an individual during an in-person event at Sanman Studios, where around 130 visitors congregated, I realized the profound impact of The Reading Room. Witnessing someone express astonishment at the breadth of Black art books instilled a sense of purpose within me. As a reference library, we rely on programming to engage visitors, with each event inspired by a book from the collection. This approach not only attracts participants but also equips them with reading materials for further exploration. My ultimate goal is to cultivate a strong community response that sustains the library’s impact.
Grace: In your efforts to meet people where they are, how do you engage with visitors when they enter The Reading Room?
Amarie: Visitor engagement varies depending on individual preferences and interests. Some are captivated by the space itself, while others seek specific topics or recommendations. By guiding them towards relevant books and elucidating the thematic connections within the collection, I aim to facilitate a seamless exploration experience. The library serves as a hub for serendipitous discoveries, inviting visitors to delve deep into various subjects.
Grace: Your expansive collection covering history, politics, culture, and more seems to enhance accessibility by providing diverse entry points. How does this approach align with your vision of creating a space that fosters inclusivity?
Amarie: The collection’s diversity serves as a gateway for visitors, drawing them in through familiar works and guiding them towards lesser-known gems. By juxtaposing an artist’s monograph with relevant literature or historical texts, The Reading Room encourages a multifaceted exploration of art and culture. The library’s emphasis on visual art while integrating broader historical and cultural contexts aims to situate objects within a larger narrative, enabling visitors to perceive interconnectedness across various disciplines. This holistic approach not only facilitates accessibility but also nurtures dialogue on a wide array of topics, from politics to music, fostering a more inclusive space for exploration.
Grace: In a recent interview with Martine Syms, she highlighted the role of publishing in creating shared public ideas. How does The Reading Room contribute to fostering a collective understanding and shared discourse?
Amarie: Art books, often expensive and out of reach for many, pose a barrier to accessibility not only for the public but also for deserving artists. The Reading Room aims to bridge this gap by serving as a platform to amplify overlooked artists and provide access to their works. In the future, I plan to establish a publishing arm for The Reading Room, starting with zines and potentially expanding to art books. This initiative seeks to honor the legacy of independent Black publishers while addressing contemporary issues through a diverse range of publications, from art books to political pamphlets. By reimagining traditional publishing norms and embracing controversial topics, I aspire to foster a space that champions inclusivity and truth.
Reading, an activity I neglected in the initial stages of running The Reading Room, has since become a priority. Last summer, I embarked on a reading journey and devoured ten books, experiencing a transformative impact on my well-being. This renewed focus on reading has imbued me with a sense of clarity and purpose, propelling me towards a deeper connection with myself and others. My aspiration is to extend this sense of empowerment and enlightenment to all visitors of The Reading Room.
The Reading Room welcomes visitors from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday at 1109 Providence St., Houston. Explore the collection online in the digital archive, and stay updated on the latest developments via Instagram.
