Archabbey Library Hosts Icon Exhibit

The Saint Meinrad Archabbey Library Gallery, St. Meinrad, IN, will host an exhibit of icons from May 2 through June 3. Work from four contemporary artists will be included. The works represent a diversity of styles, ranging from traditional egg tempera and gold leaf on wood panel to the contemporary medium of acrylic on canvas.

Icons were originally painted by artists in monasteries in the Eastern Church, where they are an integral part of church architecture and worship. Appropriate subjects for representation in icons include saints, the Virgin Mary and depictions of narratives from the Bible. Icons are considered to be windows into realm of the spirit, inviting the viewer to contemplation and prayer.

The tradition of icon painting is both continued and developed by the artists participating in this exhibition. The artists are: Sister Glynis Mary McManamon, RGS, of Louisville, KY; Mary Bird-Lowry, Huntingburg, IN; Sister Jeana Visel, OSB, Ferdinand, IN; and Sharon Gill Kolasinski, South Bend, IN.

A reception for the artists will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, in the library. The artists will discuss the spirituality of the icon tradition and how it relates to their work.

The library exhibit is free and open to the public. Library hours are Mondays, 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.; Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8 a.m.-noon, 1-5 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m.; Fridays, 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.; Saturdays, 9-11 a.m., 1-5 p.m.; and Sundays, 1-5 p.m. The library will be closed May 10 for graduation and May 26 for Memorial Day.

All times are Central time. Those wishing to view the exhibit may want to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing time.