Dominican Institute for the Arts
Dominican artists participate in annual gathering

by Joeann Daley, OP

The Dominican Institute for the Arts (DIA) held its annual Gathering July 25–28 at St. Albert Priory, Oakland, Calif. Twenty-seven Dominican artists from the United States and England gathered where DIA began 16 years ago.

Janice McLaughlin, MM, president of the Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic and keynote speaker, was the inspiration for the Magdalena title and theme for the gathering: “Arts & Culture: Teacher & Wisdom.” Through the sharing of her experience of living and ministering in Africa, where she was “uprooted from the familiar and comfortable,” she expanded our horizons and shared how the arts and culture have been her teacher and source of wisdom, especially the wisdom of the animals.

The Wisdom Guide and Safari Guide invited the participants to be on safari, where their tools of imagination were used to create through dance, drum, mask-making and drama. These creations culminated in a group presentation, “Celebration of Creativity.”

The Fra Angelico Award, the highest honor that the DIA bestows on one of its members, is presented every year to a DIA artist who exemplifies Fra Angelico’s dedication to further the Holy Preaching through art. The 16th Fra Angelico Award was presented, in absentia, to concert pianist and composer Magdalena Ezoe, OP, of Adrian, Michigan.

Janice Holkup, OP (Adrian) and Carol O’Connor, OPA (Columbus, Ohio) received Spirit Recognition for their service to the DIA.