LATROBE, PA— The Verostko Center for the Arts, located on the Saint Vincent College campus, is pleased to announce its first exhibition of 2023 entitled “Clothed in Glory,” which is a retrospective exploring the artistic work of Fr. Vincent de Paul Crosby, O.S.B. The exhibit will open officially on Feb. 2.
Featuring vestments, wall hangings, sculptures and recently completed digital works, “Clothed in Glory” examines the career of a monk-artist committed to igniting spiritual imagination by forging connections between the material and the transcendent.
Among the foremost designers of religious ritual garments in the United States working today, Fr. Vincent has created work for Christian worship for over 45 years. Joining the Saint Vincent monastic community in 1967, he was intent to place his artistic talents in the service of the liturgy—pursuing formal art education at the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia (B.F.A.) and Catholic University of America (M.F.A.). In 1979, he opened Archabbey Studios where he has completed commissions for dozens of Roman Catholic, Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran and Methodist churches throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, in addition to advising congregations and monasteries on the design of their liturgical spaces.
Fr. Vincent’s attention to detail and willingness to engage fellow artists, fabricators and contractors have made him a sought-after design consultant for the interior renovation of sacred spaces regionally, including Saint Vincent’s Archabbey Basilica and Crypt; monastic refectory; the Mary, Mother of Mercy Mausoleum Chapel; and the Suzanne Pohland Paterno Catholic Center Chapel at Penn State University (State College, Pennsylvania). Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in assisting Catholic communities implement the teachings of the Second Vatican Council that called for a renewal of the Liturgy and participation among both laity and clergy.
All are welcome to an opening reception on Thursday, Feb. 2, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. in the Verostko Center, located inside the Dale P. Latimer Library (second floor) on Saint Vincent’s campus. Remarks by Archabbot Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B., will be offered at 4:30 p.m. followed by a brief vocal performance provided by the Saint Vincent College Singers. Refreshments will be served. Reservations are not required.
The exhibit will be on view through March 24. While classes are in session, the Verostko Center is open Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and by appointment (verostkocenter@stvincent.edu). To learn more, visit verostkocenter.org.
IMAGE 1: Employing digital tools, Fr. Vincent designs vestments and wall hangings that are professionally printed.
IMAGE 2: Fr. Vincent has created vestments by hand in his studio at Saint Vincent for over 45 years.
IMAGE 3: In 2013, Fr. Vincent was commissioned to create a set of red vestments for use at St. Asaph Cathedral in North Wales, United Kingdom.
IMAGE 4: Having obtained a Master of Fine Arts from the Catholic University of America in 1975, Fr. Vincent stands next to a three-panel wall hanging entitled, Nine Choirs of Angels, later installed at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.