Terre Haute site of solo art exhibit

If you're in the Terre Haute area anytime before July 12 you should check out Sister Jody O'Neil's solo art exhibit at Corporate Square, 2901 Ohio Boulevard.

Sister Jody O'Neil with one of her paintings.

Eleven matted and framed photos and six framed watercolors, all of which are available for purchase, are being shown.

The exhibit, arranged through Arts Illiana, is free and open to the public.

For more information about the pieces being shown and this exhibit see this Sisters of Providence news release. To learn more about Sister Jody and her work, visit her website at www.creationsights.org.

See photos from one of Sister Jody's past art openings on Flickr.

Experiencing the generosity of Providence

From a very early age, Providence Associate Liza Hyatt of Indianapolis knew that art was very important to her.

“I knew that I loved art and that I found solace in it and that I needed to create to feel whole. I had childhood rheumatoid arthritis from the age of 3 to around 11 or 12. The first three letters of arthritis are a-r-t and because I felt unable to be an athlete due to the illness, I retreated to my imagination and trusted that ‘art’ was a gift hidden in having arthritis. I see now that I became an art therapist at an early age to help myself find healing during and after the arthritis,” said Liza, pictured above in the center of the first row.

Witnessing the difference that art made in her life, Liza wanted to share that experience with others. Today, she ministers at the Charis Center, the IU Simon Cancer Center and her own private practice. She also teaches the graduate course, Art Therapy and Spiritual Development, at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

“Everyone is creative. Life involves struggle and conflict and creativity is how human beings respond to such tension. Often, people identify themselves as ‘not having an artistic bone’ because they have been told this by others or taught to distrust creativity from an early age. Art is misunderstood as something only talented professionals do. But if someone who identifies herself as not artistic has the chance to explore, engage with colors, sound, movement, metaphor, she will find that she has abundant creativity and that there is amazing unexplored potential within herself to discover. Often I hear people say, ‘Oh, I’m not artistic. I can’t even draw a straight line!’ Well, growth never asks us to draw in straight lines. And if you can make loops, curves, scribbles, spirals, doodles, then art therapy can help you grow," Liza continued.

Becoming a Providence Associate has renewed Liza’s soul. “I have made new friends and have come upon unexpected opportunities. I am experiencing the generosity of Providence more,” concluded Liza.

Picture of the Week: September 3

Sister Jody's Art Opening, originally uploaded by Sisters of Providence.

Sister Jody O'Neil with one of her pieces during an opening at the Country Club of Terre Haute on Thursday. See more photos from the opening here.

Picture of the Week: April 2

A detail of "Risen Christ," 1964, by Sister of Providence Edith Pfau (RIP). Join the Sisters of Providence for Easter liturgies.

Picture of the Week: March 5

Kate Grabowski, 10, of Terre Haute, Ind., receives a certificate for placing second in the Sisters of Providence Youth Art Contest from General Officer Sister Paula Damiano as General Officer Sister Jane Marie Osterholt, Lynne Hughes and General Officer Sister Marsha Speth look on. A reception honoring all young artists who entered the contest was conducted March 4 in Providence Center at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Plans are under way for the 2011 contest.

See the top 16 winners’ artwork in the Heritage Museum of Providence Center. The artwork will be on exhibit until March 26.

Art contest reception set for Thursday

The Sisters of Providence invite all Youth Art Contest entrants and the public to a reception from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 4, in O’Shaughnessy Dining Room in Providence Center. The reception starts with social time and light refreshments from 6-6:30 p.m.

Thirty-six young artists entered the contest with its theme, “Saint Mother Theodore Guerin — Indiana Pioneer.”

Prizes will be awarded to first- through third-place winners in four age categories.

For more information, click here.

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Picture of the Week: October 9, 2009

Sister Jody O'Neil (at right in pink shirt) shows her work and techniques with a local Lifelong Learning group at the Roethele Studio at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. Sister Jody is the Sisters of Providence Artist in Residence. Learn more about her work at her Web site.