LATROBE, PA –Saint Vincent College officially dedicated the Verostko Center for the Arts during a ceremony held on Wednesday, Nov. 17, that celebrated the achievements of Roman Verostko (C’55, S’59) and the generosity of the many alumni and friends who contributed to the project.

Named after Verostko (C’55, S’59), Professor Emeritus at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and pioneer in generative and algorithmic art, the Center is a modern exhibition space dedicated to the advancement and integration of the fine arts within the Saint Vincent College community and also houses the College’s archives and vast rare book collection.

douglas nowicki paul taylor roman verostko andrew julo martin bartel verostko center for the arts Following a brief welcome from Andrew Julo, the director and curator of the Center, and an opening prayer from Archabbot Rt. Rev. Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B., College president Rev. Paul Taylor, O.S.B., spoke about the significance of this Center for the Saint Vincent community.

“In so many ways, this Center helps us to live out our mission as a Catholic, liberal arts College rooted in the Benedictine tradition,” said Father Paul. “On a liberal arts campus, this Center helps challenge our students to think critically by asking valuable questions that stimulate us to think in unconventional and unanticipated ways in order to problem solve.”

Father Paul went on to explain that the Center will assist the academic community in developing a more sophisticated understanding of the issues and ideas artists address in their work. Both the Center and the recently-expanded and renovated Dale P. Latimer Library, within which the Center is housed, are designed to be impressive and inviting environments that communicate a palpable sense of welcome to the guests of the Saint Vincent community. A major achievement of Saint Vincent College’s record-breaking “Forward, Always Forward” comprehensive campaign, the library is a 21st-century learning commons and technology hub that will leverage new technologies to enhance teaching and research capabilities.

“Since arriving here over 70 years ago, Roman’s role as an artist and a scholar has made an indelible impact on this campus,” Father Paul said of Verostko. “Roman’s ideas concerning experimentation, cross-disciplinary thinking, and the important role imagination plays in human development are communicated each and every day to the members of our community and our guests.”

Verostko, a native of Tarrs who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master of divinity degree at Saint Vincent, is a key figure in the development of generative, algorithmic art. His art is created through the use of a machine called a “pen plotter,” which is controlled by software Verostko invented himself. He modified the machine that was originally used for engineering and architectural drawings to use oriental brushes. Internationally recognized for his work, Verostko expressed his gratitude to Saint Vincent and the Benedictine influence as he reflected on a life dedicated to exploring new and emerging creative forms.

“There is a lot of thought and a lot of thinking that went on to create this exhibition and create the art in this exhibition,” Verostko said after specifically thanking Father Campion Gavaler, O.S.B., for helping to shape him into the thinker and artist he is today.

“Here at Saint Vincent, I received the background to proceed into a world beyond which I never dreamed I would achieve what I have been able to achieve,” Verostko said. “That is thanks to the scholastic education I got here in and the studies in philosophy, theology, and language. In my day, it was extraordinary and I am grateful for that.”

visitors at the verostko center for the arts Verostko also acknowledged the work of Archabbot Emeritus Douglas Nowicki, O.S.B., whose vision for creating a dedicated center was brought to life through this project, as well as those who spent nearly three years curating the exhibitions that are now on display.

Additionally, the generosity of alumni, friends and the Benedictine community was integral to the completion of this on-campus resource. Among those recognized during the dedication ceremony were Verostko and the late Alice Wagstaff for their Legacy Collection contribution; Ann and Alfred P. Moore (C’67), Ph.D., for their Forum for Art and Spirituality; Anna and Tadeusz Kozminski for their Collection of Asian and African Art; Kay and Arthur J. Rooney, Jr. (C’57), for their Steelers Collection; Aimee and Michael J. Kakos for their Collection of Impressionist Art; and Craig M. Felton (C’61), Ph.D., for his contributions to the Art & Art History Study Center.

Appreciation was also given to the late Brother Nathan Cochran, O.S.B., who spent 30 years curating collections, conserving damaged pieces and developing scholarly research on artists and their work at Saint Vincent. Ann Holmes, who succeeded Brother Nathan, was recognized for her work in building relationships with artists in the community and the region, as well as her efforts in the design of the Center and its new storage facilities.

Julo provided closing remarks that were followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony. A brief reception was held in the library prior to the start of the 82^nd Threshold Lecture, which this year featured Dr. Roger Malina speaking on the intersection of art and science and his longtime relationship with Verostko.

The dedication was originally scheduled to take place during the spring of 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A replay of the ceremony in its entirety may be viewed at https://youtu.be/rO1cVxIIgP0.

A photo gallery from the event is also available on the Saint Vincent College Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/saintvincentcollege/albums/72157720157764606

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Photo 1: Roman Verostko cuts the ribbon during the official dedication of the Verostko Center for the Arts at Saint Vincent College.

Photo 2: From L to R: Archabbot Emeritus Douglas Nowicki, O.S.B.; Roman Verostko; Andrew Julo, Director and Curator for the Verostko Center for the Arts; Father Paul Taylor, O.S.B., Saint Vincent College President; Archabbot Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B., Archabbot of Saint Vincent Archabbey and Chancellor of Saint Vincent College and Seminary.

Photo 3: Guests view the exhibits following the dedication of the the Verostko Center for the Arts.

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About the Verostko Center for the Arts (VCA): www.verostkocenter.org

The VCA is dedicated to the advancement and integration of the arts within the Saint Vincent College community. The Center devotes 5,000+ square feet to hosting rotating exhibitions that present work by contemporary artists as well as selections from Saint Vincent’s impressive holdings. The Center cares for over 4,000 objects ranging from ancient to contemporary in a variety of media that form the permanent art collections of Saint Vincent College and Saint Vincent Archabbey.