Exhibit bridges gap between mainstream, sacred art

An art exhibit focusing on the Virgin Mary that bridges a controversial gap between mainstream contemporary art and sacred art is being displayed in Helena through Oct. 10.
Titled “Highly Favored: Contemporary Images of the Virgin Mary,” it will travel extensively over two years. Its previous showing was at Yale Institute of Sacred Music. Helena is its only venue in the northwest, said Linda McCray, an abstract spiritual painter living in Clancy and exhibit organizer in Helena.
“It caught my eye because of its relevance to the Catholic identity of St. Mary Catholic Community and Carroll College,” she said. St. Mary’s is currently celebrating its 100th anniversary, and Carroll College’s centennial will be next year.
“As we are called to another century of faith, we are focusing on our identity,” she said after being introduced by Thomas Trebon, president of the Catholic college.
Trebon noted that seeing the traditional and new images together is amazing, and that people need to be open to both. He also said it is good to celebrate the parish and college centennials at the same time.
The controversial gap has been caused by mainstream contemporary artists’ attitudes that religious art is “overly sentimental and sappy,” and behind the times, McCray said at a showing of half the pieces in Carroll College’s library. “There was a time when mainstream contemporary art and sacred art were one and the same.”
Since the protestant reformation, mainstream contemporary artists have discovered new ways of artistic expression reflecting their culture and time. But those creating sacred art continued in the traditional way until Vatican II caused a slight movement toward mainstream contemporary art in worship.
“What a better way to do that than through contemporary art that invites contemplation of our patroness saint? Through the ages, art has been used to teach the faith. We are bringing this long tradition up to date and igniting the spiritual imagination of believers today,” McCray explained.
“I believe education is the key to bringing these two worlds together and creating sacred art that brings us into a deeper relationship with God,” she stated.
The exhibit was juried by Father Terrence Dempsey, a Jesuit priest and founding director of the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art, who invited artists internationally to submit art. He accepted only 36 pieces.
The artists have translated their traditions and beliefs into visual language to draw today’s believers into a deeper relationship with Mary, McCray said. Each piece is an expression of faith, from traditional Byzantine icon painting to the latest technology of computer art photo collage, she added. Some age-old themes, such as the pieta – a work of art depicting Mary mourning over the body of Christ – are represented in the exhibits, two pietas at St. Mary’s and one at Carroll College.
Several special events have been planned around the exhibit. McCray will speak about understanding contemporary mainstream art and its place in Catholic worship at St. Mary’s, at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 28.
Jan Wood, the parish’s new liturgist and music director, has prepared an ecumenical evening of prayer, reflection and song for Oct. 5, beginning at 5:30 p.m., also at St. Mary’s. It will include readings and reflections by people of all faiths, and traditional and contemporary music that reflects Mary.
Both events are free and open to everyone.

Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 24, No. 9, September 19, 2008.