With “Work of Art Wednesday,” Center for Arts and Letters Offers Cultural Enrichment, Even in Isolation

Spanning centuries, styles and places of origin, the Van Ackeren Collection of Religious Art at Rockhurst University is something of a treasure on campus.

Each piece in the collection has a story behind it, but unfortunately are currently unavailable for viewing both because of ongoing renovations to Sedgwick Hall (the pieces are currently being safely stored offsite) and a citywide stay at home order to combat the spread of covid-19.

But starting this week, those stuck at home will have a chance to explore pieces from the Van Ackeren Collection as part of an ongoing series called Work of Art Wednesdays, a sort of virtual gallery talk hosted by the Center for Arts and Letters over the course of nine weeks.

Invitations will be sent through email each Wednesday starting April 1, and the entire Rockhurst community is invited to view a picture of each work along with a short description, and accompanying messages — readings, songs, reflections or activities — from the University’s mission and ministry team. Viewers can then join the conversation on each work on the Center for Arts and Letters’ Facebook page.

The Van Ackeren collection was established in 1967 by a gift from Virginia and Robert Greenlease to the Jesuits at Rockhurst University. The 27-piece collection was built with the help of curators at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, and in 2017 was the subject of an in-depth study as part of a doctoral dissertation by Loren Whittaker.

In addition to sharing information about that gallery more widely, Work of Art Wednesday is also rooted in the desire to stay connected, even as circumstances in the world prevent people from gathering in person, according to said Kristy Peterson, director of the Center for Arts and Letters.

“We are launching Work of Art Wednesday as a way to share with others our hidden gem of an art collection at Rockhurst University during this time when we cannot visit the works of art in person,” she said. “Getting an image to think about, learn something about or personally connect with in a variety of ways is the goal of the project, no matter what your spiritual beliefs are. We hope through our weekly emails to bring a little hope, joy and artistic inspiration to people’s inboxes as well as their hearts and minds.”

To sign up to receive a Work of Art Wednesday email each week, visit this page. And like the Center for Arts and Letters Facebook page to follow the conversation each week.