Franciscan Arts Initiative

09/24/2026

On Tuesday we had the pleasure of welcoming art students from Floyd Central High School to the Mary Anderson Center to explore our current exhibition, Seasons of Creation, and spend time learning from exhibiting artists John Florence and Jill Withrow Baker. The artists shared more about their creative process and approach to watercolor before leading a demonstration where students could practice some of the techniques they are currently learning in class.

Their teacher, Lauren Baker, is introducing watercolor techniques in her painting and advanced drawing classes and saw the exhibition as a valuable way for students to connect classroom learning with the work of local artists.

“Having this gallery so close, where they can go and see accomplished artists who have already mastered the techniques that we’re working on in class, definitely helps to supplement and extend that learning,” she said.

We were grateful to welcome these young artists to the Franciscan campus and to share an afternoon of creativity, learning, and conversation.

09/14/2026

Join us Thursday evening, September 17, for an inspiring artist talk with John Florence and Jill Withrow Baker as they share insights into their creative process. Through layered materials, watercolor, oil, and expressive imagery, both artists take us on a journey exploring the cyclical and unpredictable moods of the planet. Together, their work invites us to reflect on not only the physical world around us, but also the spiritual journeys that shape how we see, honor, and care for creation. This exhibition coincides with the Season of Creation, a special time for prayer, reflection, and renewed love for our common home. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to connect and be inspired!

09/10/2026

Mark your calendar now for the opening of Penny Sisto's exhibition, Holding Magic, October 1 at 6:30 p.m. in St. Anthony Hall at Mount Saint Francis. Sisto is an internationally recognized artist who has exhibited throughout the United States and abroad. When she picks up a fabric, its colors, shapes and details begin to reveal themselves, and she can envision the finished quilt before the sewing begins. There is little searching or struggle; the work seems to know what it wants to become. This intuitive process is why Sisto calls sewing "holding magic." The cloth knows where it needs to be, and her role is simply to follow its direction, allowing the quilt to emerge beneath her hands. We hope you will join us for this magical evening!

08/26/2026

Holy Cross Retreat Center is gearing up for their annual Franciscan Festival of Fine Arts! As part of the Franciscan Arts Initiative, a province-wide commitment supporting creativity in our communities, this festival will take place on Labor Day Weekend.

The connection between Franciscan spirituality and the arts reaches back centuries. St. Francis' vision of nature and creation influenced early Renaissance artists as they began incorporating the natural world into their work. Through the Franciscan Arts Initiative, that legacy continues across the Province, creating opportunities for art to inspire, connect and enrich the lives of others.

08/17/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the opening reception of Seasons of Creation! We’re grateful to all who came out to celebrate the work of Jill Withrow Baker and John Florence.

Gallery Hours:
Sunday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Tuesday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Thursday, 4–7 p.m.
Friday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Learn more about the exhibition:
https://www.franciscansusa.org/event/the-seasons-of-creation/

08/11/2026

Join us Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. for the opening of The Seasons of Creation, featuring the work of Jill Withrow Baker and John Florence in a reflective exhibition on the rhythms, beauty, and fragility of the natural world. Winter, spring, summer, and fall shape the pattern of human life, reminding us that we, like all living things, are subject to and dependent upon the changing seasons of the Earth. In a time of climate change and increasing environmental uncertainty, these seasonal shifts also invite deeper attention to adaptation, stewardship, and our spiritual relationship with creation.

Learn more here:

The Seasons of Creation brings together the work of Jill Withrow Baker and John Florence in a reflective exhibition on the rhythms, beauty, and fragility of the natural world. Winter, spring, summer, and fall shape the pattern of human life, reminding us that we, like all living things, are subject....

06/25/2026

Last week, in a sold-out class, Mary Haycraft led students through an engaging workshop where they discovered the magic of crafting stunning geometric suncatchers.

Ready to unleash your inner artist? Join our August workshop and ignite your passion for stained glass! Perfect for beginners and returning students alike, no experience necessary. Just bring your imagination and get ready to create something that radiates beauty. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/yzvw3nzx

06/19/2026

During Mount Saint Francis Kids Camp, Father Vince led campers in a creative session exploring the connection between art, science, and care for creation. The children learned that the natural world is full of beauty, purpose, and wonder, and that how we observe and care for creation matters to God. With that in mind, they drew and painted images of different creatures, using art as a way to notice, appreciate, and honor the life around them. Held on 400 acres of beautiful grounds at Mount Saint Francis Center for Spirituality, the camp offers children a safe and welcoming week of creativity, outdoor exploration, friendship, and fun.

06/13/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the opening reception of Beauty in Form, Texture, and Layers of Color. It was a beautiful evening celebrating the work of Marietta Willman and Susan Moore, whose pieces invite viewers to slow down and notice the relationships between surface, structure, texture, pattern, and color.

The exhibition remains open through August 6, and we invite you to join us again for the Artist Talk: Beauty in Form, Texture, and Layers of Color on June 25!

06/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for MountFest this past weekend at Mount Saint Francis Center for Spirituality! Surrounded by music, art, food, laughter, and community, we were reminded of the beauty that is possible when people share their gifts. We are grateful to the community that continues to make MountFest such a meaningful tradition.