Office of the Chancellor Phone 724/537-4593 Saint Vincent College Fax 724/539-2110 Latrobe, Pennsylvania 15650-2690
Dear Friends of the Arts, As the Archabbot and Chancellor of Saint Vincent, I am pleased to welcome you to this special Monk-Artists of Saint Vincent Exhibition at the Saint Vincent Gallery. This unique exhibition features the work of four current Benedictine monks in a variety of artistic expressions. The Exhibition runs from September 10, 2015, through October 4, 2015. The exhibition, which highlights the artistry of our Saint Vincent monks – Brother Mark Floreanini, Father Vincent de Paul Crosby, and Father Robert Keffer along with Brother Etienne Huard of Conception Abbey in Missouri – continues the wonderful legacy of Boniface Wimmer in demonstrating the importance of art as the soul of civilization. Archabbot Boniface Wimmer, the founder of Saint Vincent, wrote that “monasteries have a solemn duty to foster art, to improve it and to spread it.” Fostering the work of artists was a fundamental goal for Wimmer. Shortly after his arrival in America, he wrote, “I am firmly convinced that a school, which does not strive to advance art as much as science and religion, will be deficient in its work.” Saint Vincent College is pleased to celebrate the legacy of Boniface Wimmer with this special exhibition of Benedictine artistry. We hope that you enjoy this exhibition of the creative works of contemporary Benedictine monks.
With warmest regards,
Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B. Chancellor Saint Vincent College
“…first what is necessary, then what is useful, and finally what is beautiful…” —Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B.
Welcome to the Saint Vincent Gallery!
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hen Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B., and his companions established the first Benedictine foundation in the United States in 1846, an emphasis on the arts was a crucial component of his vision. Wimmer believed that a Benedictine education must teach “first what is necessary, then what is useful, and finally what is beautiful,” noting that “a deficiency in scholarship at the beginning can be more readily excused than a neglect of art.” Within just two years of the Benedictines’ arrival, an art school was established at Saint Vincent, headed by Boniface Wimmer’s nephew, Fr. Luke Wimmer, O.S.B. Now, almost 170 years later, Boniface Wimmer’s legacy is as vibrant as ever. The four Benedictine artists represented in this exhibition bring diverse backgrounds, talents, and interests to a variety of media. Without limiting themselves to any one art form, they are constantly exploring their artistic interests and stretching their talents in ever-expanding directions. The one constant is a focus on art as a reflection of the glory of God, and the result is multifaceted, awe-inspiring, and beautiful. It is a great pleasure to collaborate with Fr. Vincent, Br. Mark, Br. Etienne, and Fr. Robert. It is also a tremendous privilege to present artwork by the spiritual heirs of Boniface Wimmer, working and creating at Saint Vincent today. Please enjoy this exhibition, and thank you for coming.
Ann S. Holmes Administrative Director The Saint Vincent Gallery
Acknowledgements The Saint Vincent Gallery gratefully acknowledges the assistance of all whose efforts contributed to the success of this exhibition. Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B. The Benedictine Community of Saint Vincent Archabbey Jordan Hainsey Diocese of Covington Br. Etienne Huard, O.S.B. Conception Abbey Fr. FranÇois Diouf, O.S.B. Kim Metzgar and Seth Harbaugh Saint Vincent Archabbey and Seminary Public Relations Suzanne English and Don Orlando Saint Vincent College Public Relations Lee Ann Ross and Kim Houck Saint Vincent College Mailing and Duplicating Heath Davis and Frank King Signs By Tomorrow, Greensburg
FR. VINCENT DE PAUL CROSBY, O.S.B.
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r. Vincent de Paul Crosby, O.S.B., a native of Buffalo, is a 1962 graduate of the Buffalo Diocesan Preparatory Seminary. He received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy in 1966 from Saint John Vianney Seminary and a master of divinity degree in 1972 from Saint Vincent Seminary. He did further studies at Tyler School of Art, Temple University, earning a bachelor of fine arts degree in 1974. That was followed by a year of independent art studies in Rome. Specializing in fabric art, he earned a master of fine arts degree from The Catholic University of America in 1976. He has been a member of the monastic community at Saint Vincent Archabbey since 1967 and was ordained a priest in 1972. The Archabbey consultant for monastic environment and art, Fr. Vincent has lectured widely on art and the environment for worship and serves as liturgical consultant to churches that are undergoing renovation. He also works as an artist in the Archabbey community, specializing in the design and execution of vestments for the Liturgy, and has been director of the Archabbey Studios since 1991. His work has been commissioned by parishes, religious communities, organizations, and individuals around the world, including His Holiness Pope Saint John Paul II. In addition, Fr. Vincent has created two sets of altar linens that will be used by His Holiness Pope Francis at each of the Masses he will be celebrating when he visits Philadelphia in September. Fr. Vincent has overseen the successful restoration and renovation of the Archabbey Basilica, the monastic refectory, and, most recently, the Basilica Crypt. He is also coordinator of the Archabbey’s ongoing renovations. He served as artistic consultant for construction of the Catholic Chapel at Penn State University in 2012 and as artistic consultant for the Mary, Mother of Mercy, Mausoleum Chapel at Saint Vincent Cemetery in 2013.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT I work in various media: graphic design, sculpture, stained glass, church design, and renovation but I am probably best known for my Liturgical vesture; that is, clothing for the Sacred Liturgy. Clothing is a symbolic reality. Its use, be it fig leaf or fur coat, is common to all humanity, and is meant to do more than protect one from the elements. It also says something about the person; who this person is and what role this person plays in society. Clothing has a history, and those who are vested in it are bearers of their peoples’ tradition. When this is considered in the light of Revelation, it takes on an even fuller meaning. Scripture speaks of God, “clothed in majesty and glory, wrapped in light as in a robe,” and that “the glory of God fills the Temple like a train.” From swaddling clothes to the Holy Shroud, Jesus is clothed in this glory. And since, in Baptism, Christians are said to put on Christ, they are vested not to cover their shame but to reveal their glory as children of God. My conviction is that vestments are real clothing, not costumes. They reveal who the person really is, not who he or she is pretending to be. With vestments we are not just with fulfilling ritual requirements, we are concerned even more so with revealing meaning, capturing imagination, and pointing to the Transcendent. For this reason we can never be satisfied with vesture whose poor design and cut, whose didactic and superficial symbolism, and whose general lack of quality renders it incapable of revealing the Transcendent. In ritual celebrations, even the objects used become holy and are treated with reverence. We dress the Altar, drape the Cross, cover the books, and veil the vessels. This is no mere exercise in “ecclesiastical interior decoration”; it is an essential outward manifestation of Faith.
BR. MARK FLOREANINI, O.S.B.
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r. Mark L. Floreanini, O.S.B., of Alliance, Ohio, is a 1974 graduate of West Branch High School in Beloit, Ohio. He received an associate degree in fine art from Sinclair Community College in 1987. He earned a bachelor’s degree in studio art from Saint Vincent College in 2001, a master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2004, and a master of fine arts degree from the Savannah College of Arts and Design in 2005. He has been a member of the monastic community at Saint Vincent Archabbey since 1998. After completing his master of fine arts degree, Br. Mark was appointed to the Saint Vincent College Department of Visual Arts and is now a tenured faculty member. He creates stained glass windows, paints, and works in various other mediums, including spinning wool and crocheting. He is a member of the Greensburg Art Center, Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh, and Loyalhanna Spinners.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT I have never considered myself an artist. There is more of a craftsman in me, but first and foremost I am a Benedictine monk. My life is focused on doing God’s will and becoming a better person. God has blessed me with some skills and a childlike curiosity. My challenge is to use all the blessings He has bestowed on me to my best ability. God has also blessed me with my wonderful home here at Saint Vincent Archabbey and my position as associate professor of art. So my task as I see and understand it is to learn, then teach what I have learned to my students, as well as inspire them.
This is pretty much my total motivation and is what makes me happy and content with my life. If you notice, my body of work has some of this and some of that and explores many themes. I experiment with materials and learn what I can in order to inspire my students and teach them the various characteristics of a material. I want my students to see that I have understanding of a material and gain their trust so that I can then teach them about it. As a vowed religious I also feel there should be a spiritual message within each piece I make. I believe God informs my projects and has a hand in what I eventually produce. I am very blessed to have the full support and encouragement of my brothers here at home as well as many local friends from the parish. It is their prayers and love that keep me producing my artwork. Thank you, God, for all the blessings.
“Thus, art and learning go together in the house, peace and joy, contentedness and study, zeal for souls near and far.� —Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B., 1884
BR. ETIENNE HUARD, O.S.B.
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r. Etienne L. Huard, O.S.B., of Conception Abbey, Missouri, is a graduate of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Wichita, Kansas. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Conception Seminary College in 2009. Br. Etienne’s early interest in photography developed further while he was with Lawrence Photography in Wichita in 2003, working both in photographic sales and an on-site art gallery. Contact there with professional photographers and artists prompted him to pursue his own artistic and photographic studies. Br. Etienne entered Conception Abbey as a novice in August 2009 and took monastic vows in August 2010. He worked as admissions director for Conception Seminary College and assistant vocations director for Conception Abbey from 2010 through 2013. Br. Etienne began graduate theological studies at Saint Vincent Seminary in 2013; he is currently pursuing a master of divinity degree and a masters of arts degree in systematic theology.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT Life never stops; it never stands still. Photography is about trying to capture a moment and to see in that moment, especially moments which go unnoticed, something new and wonderful. Paradoxically photography can also capture the unseen, the unexpected, the painful. Roland Barthes spoke of this experience in his essay “Camera Lucida”: “A photograph’s punctum is that accident which pricks me (but also bruises me, is poignant to me).” A good photograph should make us wonder, and then prod us to go forward.
I have found in macro and street photography the experience of finding both the majesty and pain in the unseen. By seeing the world in its detail, by stopping to take the uncomfortable picture, you experience life more fully and learn lessons not easily forgotten since your teacher, the photograph, never leaves you.
“Religion and art must cooperate to give our liturgy an outward splendor, great dignity, and even grandeur to render it dear to the people.� —Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B., 1849
FR. ROBERT KEFFER, O.S.B.
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r. Robert Keffer, a Connellsville native, first studied art at the Ivy School of Professional Art in Pittsburgh, with an emphasis on painting. Years later he continued his art education at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, studying graphic design and advertising.
He entered the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Spring Bank in Sparta, Washington, in 1989 and was ordained a priest in 1995. He studied Biblical exogenesis and philosophy at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, and the Angelicum in Rome, Italy. His monastic formation took place at the Abbey of Hauterive in Switzerland. During his years as a Cistercian monk, Fr. Robert took workshops at the Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia with the internationally acclaimed portraitist Nelson Shanks and his team. He has had private lessons with Philip Salamone, a graduate of the Grand Central Academy in New York City, and Peggy Baumgaertner, a nationally known portraitist. Fr. Robert concentrates on oil painting utilizing traditional techniques, combined with nostalgic and surrealist subject matter. He currently has a small studio on the Saint Vincent campus where he paints in his free time. He has exhibited in the Saint Vincent Juried Catholic Art Competition and Exhibition and the Fred Rogers Juried Art Show. Most recently he has concentrated on allegorical portraiture. He is also working on a written presentation on the Religious Art of Salvador Dali that he hopes to present to the campus this fall. Fr. Robert works as a hospital chaplain at Excela Health Hospital in Latrobe and as campus minister at Seton Hill University.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT Just when I think I have found a style, genre and subject matter that I can call my own, a whole new set of ideas will come out of left field. Perhaps that is due to my life going through quite a bit of change in these past few years. Naturalist? Realist? Abstractionist? When will it end?! Perhaps it doesn’t need to end or settle down, but just keep evolving. Since my coming to Saint Vincent I seem to focus on what I call “allegorical portraiture”; that is, placing people I know into imaginary settings and places—like the subject is acting in a play or film—but in actuality I am probing a deeper, unknown level of their personality. People are usually flattered if I say they strike me as an alchemist, a film noir detective, a saint, etc., and are happy to pose and help develop the idea. My goal is to develop a refined realism that is not bound my tangible realities. Here the surrealists, especially Salvador Dali and his technique, are the main inspiration. I am frustrated by the holes in my training, especially figure drawing and anatomy, and this is an impediment to really giving my work the punch I want it to have. But, one keeps trying. Artists who inspire me can be everyone from Caravaggio to Edward Hopper, and many variations in between. One thing they all seem to possess is the ability to present reality in a dreamlike state, evoke mood and nostalgia, and even when depicting serious subject matter have a certain tongue-in-cheek quality, as if the work is almost a commentary on itself. I seek to express my monastic spirituality and priesthood in subject matter that is “non-religious”; that is, a landscape can express monastic solitude or a character study can represent a virtue or vice, etc. I hope to integrate more traditional religious iconography into my work as I hopefully progress.
STRIKING IMAGES
The Lifetime Work of Terry Deglau December 4, 2015 through January 10, 2016
School of Humanities and Fine Arts Latrobe, Pennsylvania