• As promised, here is the first installment of Permanent Feature, a brief news story that highlights specific art works in Texas Wesleyan's permanent art collection. There will be a different work of art featured twice a month.

Born Francis Kent in 1918, no one knew the influence the newest member of the Kent family would wield in the arts.  This year marks the 100th anniversary of Corita Kent's birth. The Corita Art Center of Los Angeles, Californa is celebrating this event by drawing attention to her works in collections across the world.  That means we are included!

Texas Wesleyan is fortunate enough to have one of Sister Mary Corita Kent's prints in the permanent art collection. To my knowledge it has never been exhibited on the Wesleyan Campus.  Currently stored in the gallery in Bernice Coulter Templeton Art Studio, the print is shrouded in mystery in that there is no documentation of how the university acquired it.  The print titled Beginning of Miracles is signed Sister Mary Corita Kent and dated 1953. This would have been created earlier than her activist serigraphs of the 60's and prior to her leaving the order of Immaculate Heart of Mary.  It is in a figurative style that engendered controversy within the hierarchy of the Church. She was an educator of art, and became an advocate for social justice. 

I am always intersested in suggesting how art connects with a wide variety of disciplines. Professors at Texas Wesleyan can join the celebration of this humanist artist and the messages she communicated. What she communicated through her art is still relevant today. You can enhance your lectures if you are addressing the culture of the 60's, the use of text in art, or feminism. More information on this artist can be found on Corita Art Center website. 

Video: Biography of Corita Kent

I hope you have enjoyed this first installment of Permanent Feature and that what has been introduced to your will feed your curiosity and appreciation of the arts at Texas Wesleyan University. Are you interested in seeing this print in person? Just let me know and you can visit it in the gallery. 

Are you a member of the Wesleyan family and interested in writing a short news story about your favorite work of art in the permanent collection?

Contact Kit Hall, khall@txwes.edu