Most artists are only too pleased to have time alone for their art practice. However, being a Catholic artist, often only creating religious works, can be a lonely business. The Society of Catholic Artists (SCA) was created 90 years ago to celebrate 100 years of Catholic Emancipation. It also provided professional artists for commissions for the new churches and schools which were being built.
Last year, time was spent seeking out national cathedral venues for society exhibitions to celebrate our 90th year of existence. Then, COVID-19 happened. Our AGM, a looked forward to occasion of sharing work and food, and meeting other members, had to be cancelled at the last minute. It was obvious that there were to be no other meetings or exhibitions for some time to come. Just the usual bulletin would be sent out with which to share members’ work, activities and articles.
An online exhibition was decided upon as a solution, something to bring us all together. Most artists really do need their work to be seen, just as musicians to be heard and actors to perform. COVID-19 did not beat us and our artists could still feel part of an ACTIVE organization.
Since we had intended to have an ecumenical exhibition with commission4mission in at least one cathedral, we decided to invite them to join us in the SCA’s online one. Sadly, c4m had closed as a society but we still have contributions from five of its former members. At least 50 artists have contributed and it includes the categories of Icons, Stained Glass, Pascal Candles, 3D Religious works, 2D Religious and 2D secular, etc.
The online exhibition will be running until December, the end of our 90th year, when it will be followed by another for 2021 as so many good works were submitted and selections had to be made. The 4 selectors were widely located nationally, stretching to Wales.
Look for details soon in Catholic papers and magazines and also on our beautiful website www.catholicartists.co.uk
Membership contact: Mary Jean Donaghey mj.sibtain@virgin.net
Mary Jean Donaghey is a practicing artist, member of the Southwark Diocese Art and Architecture Committee, and Chairman of the Society of Catholic Artists - a society of around 90 artists nationally and now going international.
SCA’s huge online exhibition will be available from 15th September until the end of this year.