The Unveiling

When celebrated artist Terri Priest had a conversation with Frank Vellaccio, senior vice president at the College of the Holy Cross, about working on a painting for display in Smith Hall in May 2004, anxiety and joy filled her, she told a packed audience yesterday in Rehm Library at the public unveiling of the spectacular work.

“Anxiety because I had a demanding exhibition ahead here at Holy Cross in the Cantor Art Gallery and that was coming up in February 2005, and I realized I had a lot of research to do. Joy because I saw it as a way to hold back time and to continue to learn and to grow,” she said.

Healthy levels of anxiety and joy sustained her through the meticulous process of developing the painting, “Paths to Divine Light Through Vermeer’s Lens,” which depicts the five major religions of the world. The work now hangs in a domed area near the entrance in Smith Hall, which houses the College’s Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture.

Priest explained that she visited museums, read and studied numerous books, created sketches, sought the consultation of art historians and professors, and religious studies experts before reaching a final design.

Nine feet square, the painting consists of nine panels. Five of the panels depict the major religions of the world: Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam. The four other panels show images of a blue sky framed by star-filled darkness.

Renowned Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer’s art has inspired Priest’s work since the late 1990s, and her love for his work is evident in this painting. As she was conducting research for the commissioned piece, she discovered connections between Vermeer and the Jesuits. Vermeer lived from 1632-75 in the Netherlands, which at that time was perhaps the most religiously tolerant place on earth and a Jesuit center, she said. Vermeer converted to Catholicism and named two of his sons after Jesuit saints — St. Ignatius Loyola and St. Francis Xavier.

In opening remarks, Vellaccio said that Priest, a well-known artist in the region, was a natural fit for this task. Born and raised in Worcester, Priest grew up in a Maronite Christian home, became actively engaged in the Civil Rights movement, curated and exhibited work in the Fletcher/Priest gallery in her home, and taught at Holy Cross’ visual arts department for about 15 years before retiring to devote more time to her artwork.

Following Priest’s talk, the audience gathered around the Smith Hall stairwell to view the painting and hear the blessing by Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., Holy Cross president.

Related Information:

• Press release • Photo gallery of the installation