HOW TO GO
What: "Moved by the Spirit"
Where: University of Dayton campus, Marian Library Gallery, Roesch Library, seventh floor
When: Continues through Sept. 28; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, by appointment on Saturdays and Sundays
More info: (937) 229-4214 or www.udayton.edu/mary
“The Twelve” traditionally refers to the 12 disciples of Jesus in the Bible. “Moved by the Spirit” is a traveling art exhibit by 11 Canadian artists and one Ohioan, depicting Biblical events witnessed by some of those apostles. It is on view at the University of Dayton campus.
The Marian Library exhibit is centered around “The Garden Way of the Cross” by Louise Tessier of Regina, in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.
“Every one of the pieces shows an extraordinary precision of workmanship,” said Sister M. Jean Frisk, assistant for art and special projects. “The artists show an amazing mastery of their art and the inspiration of their faith.”
As you view the art, you are reminded of integral events in Jesus’s life through several perspectives and mediums:
The birth of Jesus: “Christmas Triplet: The Manger, The Shepherds, The Wisemen” is a set of three continuous-loop rug hookings by Doris Fulmore of Regina, Canada. Fulmore said, “The truth of God’s love expressed in the incarnation had intrigued me in childhood and has inspired my life.”
The boy Jesus in the Temple: “Luke 2: 39-52” by Kristina Komendant of Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan, features her written Bible passages in Greek and English on two separate papyrus scrolls and a gouche and 23K gold framed image of Luke writing his Gospels.
Jesus is baptized in the River Jordan: “Docheio” is a concrete and fused glass bowl with base by Janice Stefan of Regina. “The textured, rough-hewn nature of the bowl hearkens to the riverbanks and natural setting of this sacred event,” Stefan said.
Jesus changes water into wine: “Wedding at Cana,” a porcelain pitcher by Cara Driscoll of Regina. “The inside text of the pitcher reads, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ So they filled them to the brim,” said Driscoll. “The pitcher speaks of hospitality.”
Sermon on the Mount: “All blessings flow from the hand of God” are sterling silver necklace rings anchored by a hand, with eight nuggets of silver (representing the eight beatitudes) by Judy Zawacki of Regina. “I used an open hand as a symbol of God’s generosity, and the blessings flow from the hand,” Zawacki said.
Feeding the 5,000: “Plenitude,” a clay sculpture of the fish and rolls in a basket by Barb Goretzky of Lumsden, Canada. “As a child, I always loved the Bible story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with only five loaves and two fish. Miracles happen despite the obstacles,” said Goretzky.
Raising Lazarus from the dead: “Pipillon” is a walnut funeral urn with a ceramic tile insert by Larry and Louise Tessier of Regina.
Jesus welcomed by crowd waving palm fronds and shouting “Hosanna!”: “Trimphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem” is a round stained glass on a metal stand by Jose Ventura of Gibsons, Canada. “Through glass, you can really expand your spirit,” said Ventura. “For historical events like (this), the glass media is perfect.”
The transfiguration: “Metamorpho” a textile wall hanging by Anna Hergert of Buffalo Pound, Canada. “And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is my beloved Son, listen to him … ’ ” Mark 9:7
The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven: “The Ascension” is an egg tempera painting with gold leaf on wood panel by Jenny Ward of Cincinnati. “First of all, God’s plan for salvation, Christ’s birth, passion, and resurrection is completed in the Ascension,” Ward said. “Secondly, since the two angels announce to the apostles that Christ ‘will come in the same way as you saw him go,’ it’s prophetic of the Second Coming of Christ.”
Mary, Mother of Jesus: “Our Lady of the Prairies” is a continuous-loop rug hooking by Louise Tessier.
The last supper, crucifixion and resurrection: depicted in “The Garden Way of the Cross” with Louise Tessier’s intricate tiles set off by Larry’s Fijian Mahogany frames. This series of 14 works is her sabbatical project.
“ ‘The Garden Way of the Cross’ is directly linked to the writings of the Rev. Thomas Stanley, a retired Marianist priest, who lives in Mercy Siena Gardens in Dayton and who is affiliated with the University of Dayton,” said Louise Tessier. “The Lord sure does work in mysterious ways.”
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