One of Houston’s most celebrated art spaces has a new leader.

Abdullah Antepli has been selected as Rothko Chapel’s new president by its board of directors. A Turkish-born American imam, Antepli is a recognized leader in cross-religious and cross-cultural dialogue, according to a statement from the Chapel.

“Since its founding in 1971, the Chapel has stood as an international beacon at the intersection of spirituality, art, and human rights. Under Antepli’s leadership, it will continue to expand its global reach as a platform for interfaith engagement and social justice rooted in spiritual inquiry,” the statement read.

Antepli said he is accepting the new role with excitement and a deep sense of purpose. “I am eager to walk alongside the Rothko Chapel family as we write the next chapter of its remarkable journey,” he said. “At a time when the world is fracturing along religious, partisan, and ideological lines, the Rothko Chapel dares to offer a sacred space where art, silence, and justice meet, and I am humbled to help steward that space forward.”

Troy Porter, Chair of the Board of Rothko Chapel said Antepli’s spirit, values, and successes resonate with the Chapel’s mission. “We are confident that he will successfully implement the ambitious strategic plan we’ve just adopted, and that his leadership will guide the Chapel into its next chapter as a convening space for spiritual exploration, artistic expression, and the pursuit of justice.” 

Antepli currently serves as Director of POLIS: Center for Politics at Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy, where he is also Professor of the Practice of Interfaith Relations.  One of his first acts as Director was integrating the Civil Discourse Project into POLIS, broadening the center's scope and sharpening its focus on the civic and moral dimensions of public life. Since 2012, he has been a senior fellow on Jewish-Muslim relations at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, where he founded and co-directs the Muslim Leadership Initiative.

Antepli completed his graduate work at Hartford Seminary and his undergraduate studies at Ondokuz Mayis University in Turkey.

Antepli succeeds David Leslie, who retired in June 2025 after ten years at the Chapel.

Written by staff.