Rare Genius

At the Catholic Information Center in Washington, DC last night a stone's throw from the White House, a  piece of Irish Genius unassumedly came to talk about art. But he wasn't just touting the brilliantly inspired bronze Saint Joseph statue that is just behind him that he created for the Center, he wanted to talk about how art inspires evangelism. Catholic heritage is rich in art and culture because it uses art to inspire and teach  and elevate spiritually.  In the early days of the church when large populations were illiterate obvioulsy the visual arts expressed biblical stories on walls of churches for educational purposes. But even in the internet age, art has a powerful place in Evangelism. He particularly wanted to talk about how the study of the body enlightens and provides insight into what has been called 

"The Theology of the Body"- Art as an Evangelism tool is something perhaps under-appreciated. Originally from Dublin,  He started an art school in Florence, Italy . His vision is for there to be a Vatican Academy of Art where talent from every Archdiocese in the world can send gifted people to train and study both theology and art as a reflection of it. White washed tombs full of dead men's bones and Ezekiel's Valley of Dry Bones are given sinews, muscles and the Spirit moves them into personalities in much the same way that the life of the church can be re-invigorated, re-vivified by art's expression in sculpture and painting. He created the statute of Joseph holding the baby Jesus behind him here as a response to the fact that society with its out of control sexual devolution has become in large parts fatherless. Children suffer where there are absent or unavailable fathers. When one goes into the Catholic Information Center chapel, right on 15th street and looks at that statue one is impressed with how important it is to pray for men so they have the strength, ability and vision to become good fathers. That is how one piece of art can mobilize people- Art is powerful. He once saw kids in Rome defacing with spray paint a beautiful statue in Rome and decided to enroll them in his school so they would appreciate their own cultural heritage. He mentors italian kids and teaches them sculpture so they don't become spray painting street ruffians. His vision is that every Archdiocese in the World should send artistically talented kids to Rome to fine tune their craft. Imagine if the spray painting gang kids in LA could get scholarships to study art in Rome. What would that do to elevate culture everywhere? To learn more contact and get to know the folks at the Catholic Information Center. They host the most amazing talks and presentations. You may not agree with everything, but something will inspire you. I don't agree with a rant against Feminism, because Feminism is a pro-life movement when it enables women whose men have failed or left them to live productive lives. But I am deeply inspired by this guys vision to make art study something appreciated far more than it is currently. In an age of MTV Miley Cyrus passing for artistic entertainment isn't it about time we got a grip? I  hope that Pope Francis realizes that one way to dignify people in poverty and struggle is to provide art education and that the best and most promising should be sent to a Vatican Academy of Art to develop their craft in the service of the new Evangelism.