The arts and theology programming at the Union seeks to mine the richness to be found in the arts accessed intelligently for use in theological discourse, education, formation and ministerial settings. At the Union, students of theology and pastoral ministry acquire the tools for both visual analysis and historical understanding to become “aesthetically literate” and critically understand the omnipresent force of the arts from which the church draws energy, meaning and identity. Making theology and the arts educational partners produces rich outcomes for ministerial practice. The arts and theology programming greatly enriches the academic curriculum. The program has expanded in the past several years to include 16 art exhibitions a year in three designated gallery spaces and a vibrant Artist-in–Residence program. A large working studio space for independent work, as well as studio classes, is available to students, faculty and staff. The annual McCarthy Arts for Theology and Ministry Lecture and the Ade Bethune Award for Excellence in the Sacred Arts explore the academic study of religiousand liturgical art. And the annual Festival of the Arts and semi-annual art and prayer retreats adds to the life of this community. Art has become a hallmark of the institution. All program events are open to the general public.
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Current Exhibits at WTU
Text and Context: Artists Tim Campbell
Unfinished Story: Sr. Mary Grace Thul, OP
Artists in Residence at WTU
Fr. Jerry Gamrot
Br. Michael McGrath
Leslie Ann Curry
Celeste Lauritsen
Artists in the WTU Permanent Collection
Deborah Sokolove
Toni Franovic
Margaret Adams Parker
Tom Block
