Come. Create. Celebrate.
St. Francis’s 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 Saint Francis, in Indiana, 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, NM, the annual Franciscan Festival of Fine Arts is eagerly awaited by artists and art enthusiasts. With the launching of the Franciscan Arts Initiative, we want to ensure that beauty and spirit brought to life through art continues to be honored and celebrated.
Make A Difference
Do you love art and artists? Music, painting, photography, and pottery? The Franciscan Arts Initiative is looking for volunteers!
Stay in touch with the latest Franciscan Arts Initiative Newsletter!
Need more information?
We would be happy to answer any questions you might have about the Franciscan Arts Initiative.
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Featured Events
Angels Among Us – Art Exhibit by Penny Sisto
Painting the Autumn Landscape – Plein Air 10-5-22 – Morning Class
Earthen – Art Exhibit by Karen Boone
More Upcoming Events
Angels Among Us – Opening Reception
Earthen – Opening Reception
8-Week Pottery Session – October 10 – November 28
Angels Among Us – Artist Talk with Penny Sisto
8-Week Pottery Session – October 19 – December 14
Painting with the Padre – Mary Cassatt
Daniel Dempster Photography Workshop & Presentation
Earthen – Artist Talk with Karen Boone
Painting with the Padre – Grafton Tyler Brown
8-Week Pottery Session – December 5 – January 30
Join in on the fun!
Painting Classes
Open Bluegrass Jam at Mount Saint Francis
Pottery Classes
Community Yoga at the Mount
Franciscan Festival of Fine Arts
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.
Cultivate – Art, Music, and Nature Festival
We celebrated the first annual Cultivate: Art, Music and Nature Festival at Mount St. Francis, Indiana, on October 23, 2021! This regional event explores the relationship between nature, music, and the arts and how we can become more sustainable in our everyday lives. At Cultivate, we want to provide a sampling of how art and nature are intertwined, both important for bringing everyone together through a common appreciation and love for the planet and creative endeavors. We want to recognize each other as brothers and sisters, all of us responsible for “cultivating” awareness of how art and nature can provide hope and inspire positive change.