Chasing Perfection: The Legacy of Architect John S. Chase

Throughout the month of April, visitors can explore intimate drawings, scrapbooks, and anecdotes from mentees in Chasing Perfection: The Legacy of Architect John S. Chase.

The first African American graduate of the UT Austin School of Architecture and first licensed African American architect in Texas, John Saunders Chase designed churches, residences, and cultural landmarks such as the George R. Brown Convention Center and many buildings at Texas Southern University in Houston and the national headquarters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. in Washington, DC.

He was a founding member of the National Organization of Minority Architects, and, at the peak of his practice, had approximately 50 employees in four cities. A historic commercial building in Austin that was designed by Chase was purchased by UT Austin last year and now serves as a community engagement center operated by the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement.

The exhibition will be on display through May 1 in Goldsmith Hall's Mebane Gallery.

Curated by the Houston Public Library with special additions from the School of Architecture's Lectures + Exhibitions Committee, chaired by David Heymann and Clay Odom.