Large body of work by two artists charts visual journey

Dominican Center at Marywood Art Gallery is displaying the works of Sister Paula Mierle, SJ, and Sister Francetta McCann, OP, from March 1 - April 29, 2013.They have a grand total of about 50 works of art on exhibit; most are available for purchase.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Sister Francetta McCann, OP - Photography & Pottery

Sister Francetta McCann, OP, pictured above on the right, hopes to convey a prayerful spirit through nature and the people that she photographs. The formats she uses are 35 millimeter, 2 1/2 by 2 1/2 (medium), and 4 by 5 (large) in the camera and in the darkroom processing.  The subject matter determines the format that she uses when photographing. Most of her work is done in black and white. She does a solution with selenium toning of black and white silver gelatin prints and she hand colors parts of the image using Marshall Oils and pencils. (This process was used before the the invention of color film.)

Sister Francetta says that, “The wonderful aspect about the Art of Photography is that the beauty of nature is before us and we must not only find it, but compose and communicate it through the lens, for others to enjoy, and ponder the beauty that touches one’s soul.  There is a real sense of communing and interdependence between God, humanity and the earth, which allows one to visualize the harmony of our world. Often when photographing, I go to a sacred place to ponder, listen to the world around me, pray and let the image before me become my prayer.  That image then is connected to the beauty of God’s earth and myself. In the words of Ansel Adams, a pianist who invented the grey scale Zone System, ‘The film is the score of the piece of work, and the print is the orchestration'."

Sister Paula Mierle, SJ - Watercolors, Icons & Photography

Sister Paula Meirle, SJ, pictured above on the left,  began creating art in the middle 1970s when she attended a workshop at Notre Dame University. As part of the program, they were offered a leisure class on the arts.  She chose watercolor painting.  After a few classes, her professor said, “You ought to continue with watercolors. You have a feel for the way colors flow.” Teaching full time, she says she never seemed to have the time and also had no drawing experience.  In 2004, and remembering her Notre Dame experience, she decided to sign up for a beginning watercolor class. She loved both the class and the teacher, Shirley Wells. She continued studying with Shirley for a few years, and then later worked with a group of six women trying different techniques and styles so that they could find their own artistic voice. Having been encouraged by her watercolor experience, she has also tried a few icon painting retreats. These are prayerful experiences, which give one the opportunity to paint an icon guided by an experienced iconographer. With each stroke of the paintbrush, one is encouraged to pray for someone, so that the completed icon is one long prayer. Although she has sold a few icons and watercolors, this is Sister Paula’s first exhibit.

GALLERY HOURS AND ARTIST RECEPTION

You can meet and greet the artists at the public reception, which will be held on Sunday, April 14 from 12 Noon to 4:00 PM.

The Gallery is open to the public daily:

• Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

While you are here, stop in at the DCM Bookstore and browse through our wide variety of books and gifts, which are appropriate for all life celebrations and occasions. Free parking is available in the DCM lot on Lakeside north of Fulton Street. Enter DCM from the lot. Call the front desk at 616.514.3325 for additional questions or more detailed directions.

Sister Francetta McCann, OP, is the curator of the Marywood Art Gallery. She contacts selected artists and works with them to arrange the showing of work produced by Michigan artists. The show changes every two months, giving several local artists a venue to display and sell their artwork each year.

Submitted by: R Steers, DCM