Stations of the Cross

Top: This intricately handcrafted quilt depicting the crucifixion is one of the two dozen artist submissions in the upcoming The Stations of the Cross exhibit at the Grand Marais Art Colony. Bottom: This triptych made of willow by Mary Ellen Ashcroft is entitled Jesus Meets The Women of Jerusalem. It opens to give a thoughtful message.

For hundreds of years, Christians have entered into Christ’s last journey— from condemnation to the cross—by meditating on The Stations
of the Cross.
This year, over two dozen Cook County artists are offering their artistic expressions of these stops, bringing local eyes to Christ’s journey, in woodblock, watercolor, glass, textile, photography, wood, clay, acrylic and word. TheStations of the Cross Exhibit,
a collaboration between the Grand Marais Art Colony and Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church, will run from March 21-April 4, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., with special events. There will be a booklet explaining the different stations coupled with artist statements.

The roots of the Stations of the Cross are in pilgrimage: pilgrims who could not undertake a lengthy trip could walk The Stations of the Cross,
held inside or near a church: a pilgrimage made accessible.

 

Some of the moments included in the Stations
are from the gospels; some are traditional. Either way, The
Stations of the Cross
touch on timeless issues, such as relinquishing apparent security and control, finding courage in adversity, making sense out of suffering, realizing that life is stronger than death.

Different expressions of The
Stations of the Cross
have often been rooted in a particular time and place. In Salvador where Archbishop Oscar Romero was gunned down as he celebrated mass, the Cathedral walls depict a The Stations of the Cross
showing El Salvadoran people struggling with the implications of the cross.

I found myself very moved, as I was putting together the booklet to accompany the exhibit this week, hearing from artists, seeing their work, at the number of hours they have given to this project. From saying “yes” to the idea, conceptualizing the work, creating it, writing something about the pieces they’ve submitted: what a wonderful gift to our community!

These Cook County expressions of The Stations
of the Cross
invite you to see an ancient story in a new way—just as your neighbors have reached within themselves, and made these moments tangible in paint, fabric, paper, word. You may want to visit The Stations of the Cross Exhibit
several times—to see what’s there, to bring a friend or relative, and as a quiet meditative walk, a kind of pilgrimage. You may find that art can open windows to new insights, new ways of seeing.

Anyone with questions about the exhibit is encouraged to contact Mary Ellen Ashcroft at (218) 387-1536 or windcradle@boreal.org or the Grand Marais Art Colony at (218) 387-2737 or arts@boreal.org.

The Stations of
the Cross Exhibit,
a collaboration between the Grand Marais Art Colony and Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church, will run from March 21-April 4, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., with special events listed below.