As students of CTU, we at Theophilus seek to engage the voices and perspectives of our
academic community in the contemporary dialogues of theology and ministry through the annual
publication of an academic journal and our ongoing blog.
We also hope to promote the artistic endeavors of our diverse and talented community. This
artist showcase presents the creative work of a number of CTU students for our wider
community to enjoy. All students and alumni were welcome to submit two pieces for the
exhibition.
In addition to providing a forum for students to share their creativity, this event will help us to
select the cover art for the 2015 publication of Theophilus, The Student Journal of CTU.
All members of the community who come to see the show can vote for their favorite work by this Friday, March 13th! The winning work will be featured on our cover!
Not all works are presented here as some artists did not wish to have their work shared digitally.
Enjoy the creativity present in our CTU community!
J. Bernardo Ávila Borunda, M.Div./M.A. Student
Icon of Kateri Tekakwitha
egg tempera and gold leaf on panel
Mother of Hope
acrylic guache gold leaf on pane
Nhan Anh Bui, CPPS, M.Div. Student
Saint Gaspar’s Call
The Mission for Reconciliation in Vietnam
carved wood (digital photo of original work)
Ora et Labora
Prayer and work are inseparable in our missionary activities
carved wood (digital photo of original work)
Sharon Dobbs, M.Div. Student
Sharon writes:
“I am a mother and an M.Div. student at CTU, and I am drawn to taking photos of children and women. The first photo is of children that do not have a mother, and are being cared for by a Catholic order of sisters in India: Handmaids of the Blessed Trinity. The second photo was taken on a cycling trip in northern China. We stopped along the way to rest, and during this stop in a small farm village were warmly welcomed by all including this beautiful mother and baby and their proud grandmothers.”
Girls praying before dinner in Vasai India
digital photograph
Family love in northern China Ningxia Province
digital photograph
Susan Francesconi
Susan writes:
“This is a botanical illustration of a rose hip in early fall. This particular rose hip came from a bush in my garden which at the time still had a few roses in bloom. However, none of those flowers could compete with this luminous, glossy rosehip that seemed to be telling me ‘the best is yet to come.’”
Susan has a BA in Fine Art and studied botanical illustration for a short time at the Morton Arboretum.
Fruit of the Rose, 2007
watercolor on paper (digital reproduction)
Graham R. Golden, O. Praem., M.Div. Student
Untitled (crucifix in Sacred Heart Parish, Española, NM)
digital photograph
Untitled (bell tower of San Francisco de Asís, Ranchos de taos, NM)
digital photograph
Ali Kenny, M.A. in Intercultural Ministry Student
Jerusalem
acrylic paint (digital reproduction)
sewing needle used as painting utensil (in lieu of traditional brush)
Sarah Martz, OSF, M.A. Justice Ministry Student
Gift
acrylic on foam core
Steve Niskanen, CMF, D.Min. Student
Tree Burst
digital photograph
Autumn Path
digital photography
Mauro Pineda, M.Div. student, Romero Scholar
Mauro writes:
“I am… a parishioner at St. Gall Parish on Chicago’s Southwest Side. I was born in Mexico and grew up in Chicago. I am passionate about the art of expression in any medium. Diego Rivera and Pablo Picasso are the two artists that have been an inspiration. I have admiration for the entire Renaissance, particularly Michaelangelo. That motivated my leaning towards Fine Arts.”
Gavan Y Huaraches
charcoal on paper
This drawing was inspired by Luke 9:3, the New Testament image of the disciples being sent by Jesus to spread the Word, taking only the clothes on their back and sandals on their feet.
He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.
Resortera
prismacolor on paper
This drawing was inspired by 1 Samuel 17:49, the Old Testament image of David taking down Goliath with a mere sling shot.
David put his hand into the bag and took out a stone, hurled it with the sling, and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone embedded itself in his brow, and he fell on his face to the ground. Thus David triumphed over the Philistine with sling and stone; he struck the Philistine dead, and did it without a sword in his hand.
Josh Van Cleef, M.A. Student
“Jesus was not crucified on a marble altar between two golden
candlesticks, but on a city garbage dump, outside the walls,
between two thieves”- George Macleod
Mary, Mother of God
acrylic and gold leaf on salvaged material
Jesus, Giver of Life
acrylic and gold leaf on salvaged material
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