Catholic Art Showcase scheduled May 6

God speaks through a variety of mediums, perhaps none as stunningly beautiful as Catholic art.

Through artwork, God’s self-revelation and salvation history is communicated, said Jordan Haddad, co-founder of the St. Louis IX Art Society (SL9), said.

Art lovers throughout the Diocese of Baton Rouge will have the opportunity to view the amazing pieces of several of south Louisiana’s most talented Catholic artists on May 6 when the SL9 Society,  in conjunction with The Franciscan Experience Summer Institute, hosts the Catholic Art Showcase at the activity center at St. John the Evangelist Church in Prairieville.

As part of the showcase, which is scheduled from 5:30-9 p.m., a program scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. will include SL9 chaplain Father John Brown SJ praying the opening prayer, followed by Haddad’s presentation on the relationship between Catholics and art. A panel discussion with the artists discussing how the Holy Spirit forms them in their work is also scheduled.

“It is an opportunity for Catholics across the region to come and view faith-inspiring work from a multitude of artists from across our south Louisiana region that will include different styles, mediums and images,” said Haddad, a professor at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.

The activity center will be transformed into an art exhibit, where eight artists will each have their own gallery section to present their work. Each artist will also be engaging with those in attendance, explaining each facet of their works and answering questions.
Mediums will include classical and sacred artists, an iconographer, woodworker and sculptor.

“I am excited and I think it will be a great experience for a lot of people,” Haddad said. “The artists are obviously the centerpiece for the event. And they are so talented and such faith-filled Catholics. They really approach their work in a prayerful way.

“And it’s going to be a blessing for everyone that is able to be there.”

Haddad and Metairie native Abigail Reller founded SL9 this past July and by November debuted its first showcase in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, which received rave reviews. Haddad, a native of Houma, said when he and Reller first had the idea to form SL9, they reached out to various artists, community members and even Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of the archdiocese and were greeted with enthusiastic support.
“We’ve had a lot of people come forward to help us and get this thing off of the ground and get it running,” Haddad said. “I think they see the value it brings to the local dioceses so they’ve been extremely helpful.”

SL9’s mission is to promote a culture of Catholic art in south Louisiana by creating opportunities for all people to encounter firsthand the beautiful Catholic artwork being created by local artists, according to its website.

SL9 has also created an art fund that in its early stages has flourished. Haddad said the goal is to raise funds to commission artists to paint original Catholic artwork to be placed in underfunded Catholic schools in south Louisiana.

Already, two commissions are scheduled to be completed by the end of the summer, including a 40” x 50” oil painting of the Holy Family  celebrating Passover that will be displayed at Holy Family School in Port Allen.

Also commissioned is a 4’ x 6’ painting of St. Joan of Arc that will be placed in St. Joan of Arc School in Laplace.

“We hope to use these two projects as launching pads so that we can commission our artists to have multiple projects going on all of the time for various schools in the area,” Haddad said. “It’s really sort of an exciting  endeavor that we have.”

The cost for the showcase, which is expected to attract 250 to 300 people, is $20 for singles and $30 for couples in advance or $30 for singles and $40 for couples at the door. The admission includes a charcuterie table featuring various meats, cheeses and olives and a cash bar.

The two bars will likely be particularly entertaining, as they will be manned by Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in St. Francisville pastor Father Brad Doyle and Holy Rosary Church in St. Amant deacon assistant Deacon Michael Parker.

“It’s going to be a really fun event,” Haddad said. “We hope to be the next big event (in the Diocese of Baton Rouge) after (the annual Men of the Immaculata Conference).”
For more information visit sl9art.com.