Come, Create, Celebrate.

St. Francis’ vision of nature and creation affected early Renaissance artists who began incorporating scenes of the natural world into their work. The friars of our province have a long history of celebrating and honoring the arts. We believe in the importance of art for our communities. The campus at Mount St. Francis provides studio/gallery spaces and outdoor natural areas that lead to spiritual and creative encounters for people of all ages. At Holy Cross Retreat Center in Mesilla Park, New Mexico, the annual Franciscan Festival of Fine Arts is eagerly awaited by artists and art enthusiasts. With the Franciscan Arts Initiative’s launching, we want to ensure that beauty and spirit brought to life through art continues to be honored and celebrated.

Pope Francis’ new encyclical signed on October 3, 2020, focuses on the timely message of fraternity. What better way of recognizing each other as brothers and sisters than through our shared appreciation, creation, and love of art. The initiative’s goal is to create a diverse regional arts community and destination at Mount Saint Francis while eventually expanding to other friaries and ministries of the Province and Order.

Make A Difference

Follow Us!

Upcoming Events

“Nature in Winter” High School Art Exhibit

We were very excited to host our first “Nature in Winter” exhibit at the Mary Anderson Center Gallery, Mount Saint Francis, Indiana, from February 19th through March 19th. This diverse medium exhibit featured local high school art submissions from Floyd Central High School and Providence High School. The theme “Nature in Winter” was meant to demonstrate the vital connection between nature and art. With more than 50+ submissions, our featured submission above: “Sad Penguin” (Faith H., 12th grade, Floyd Central) illustrates the fragility of the natural world and the impacts of climate change on many species. We hope to repeat this exhibit and theme next winter.

Music at the Mount

For several years, annual Music at the Mount events have provided diverse outdoor music gatherings open to the community. As a fundraising event for the Mount St. Francis Center for Spirituality, Music at the Mount concerts feature well-known musicians and food, amidst beautiful surroundings. The Franciscan Arts Initiative continues to grow the commitment to and appreciation of music as art through summer/fall Music at the Mount outdoor events and through indoor music classes, choral recitals, and smaller, more intimate concerts.

Painting with the Padre

In the next section, where you have the Permaculture interview, do we have any video of the Franciscan Arts Festival in Mesilla Park? That would be great to include here. If not, a graphic and description with a link to the Festival page. A graphic/logo for the Monarch Festival at MountFest to the right with this messaging: Come join us on Saturday, September 18, 2021 as we co-host with the Arts Alliance of Southern Indiana with the Monarch Festival at MountFest! Artists, music, food trucks, butterfly tent, kid activities and much more!