Dominican Institute for the Arts Holds 13th National Gathering
Dominican Associate Recieves Fra Angelico Award

CONVENT STATION, NJ-- July 18, 2009-- From July 15-18, members of the Dominican Institute for the Arts from14 states and provinces convened at Xavier Center on the campus of Saint Elizabeth’s College for their 13th Annual National Gathering: The Contemplative Artist.”  For three days, artists explored opportunities for expanding the DIA mission, “Preaching through the Arts,” using the media represented among its membership: painting, sculpture, poetry, pottery, photography, music, stitchery, magic, film and dance.

Kathleen Deignan, CND

Keynote speakers Kathleen Deignan, CND, composer and recording artist of Schola Ministries, with Sandra Rivera, founding choreographer of Omega Company of Liturgical Dance, led participants through a retreat day of interactive presentations incorporating text, song, and dance.

Deignan incorporated the conference theme with her own concept of  the "Paradise Mind:” “It is the artist who remembers our original name and Eden’s forsaken country most vividly,” she assured her audience in a scholarly integration of eco-theology and Dominican spirituality.

Highlights of the conference included a concert by recording artists Dominic DeLay, OP and John Paula Forte, OP followed by a performance of preaching through magic by Daniel Rolland. A Virtual Gallery and an art raffle of fifty artifacts showcased works by the members in stone sculpture, photography, etching, printmaking, watercolor, pottery, embroidery, and quilting.

Martha Bartholemew

The 2009 Fra Angelico Award was presented to Martha Bartholomew, an associate of the Sinsinawa Dominicans, an Illinois poet, author, preacher. Upon receiving word that she was the 2009 recipient, Martha wrote: "As Dominican artists we are ever more aware of the ways we preach through our work.  They are largely the fossils of our inner experiences, aren't they? May we continue to inspire, delight, evoke, encourage, admonish each other. Deo Gratias.

Pat Lee and Kathy Rhody

The Board of Directors also recognized for outstanding service to the organization Pat Lee,OP of Amityville; Elaine Taylor,OP of Sinsinawa; Kathleen Voss,OP of Adrian, and Kathleen Rhody OPL of the Western Province.

At its concluding liturgy, Barbara Schwarz, OP  of Amityville  preached a homily integrating the scriptures of the day with the goals of the organization and the hopes of its members.

The DIA is an association of visual, verbal and performing artists of the Dominican Order founded in 1995 to promote the arts as a form of preaching. Its 2009 Board of Directors are: Liz Sully and Lucianne Siers Co-Chairs; Dominic Delay, Secretary; Ann Eigenbauer, Treasurer; Mary Pat Reid, and Colleen Gallagher.

For further information:
www.DIArts.org

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