J. Kevin Byrne, Minneapolis College of Art and Design emeritus professor, has an exhibit on display titled A Pilgrimage on Paper (Drawn to Saint Paul Catholic Churches). The show features drawings of every active Roman Catholic cathedral, church, and chapel in St. Paul (MN). Nearly 30 sketches (including a mood-board and map) were drawn “on location,” over seven years. Both exterior and interiors are rendered. A small full-color photograph is paired with each church or chapel.
The show is at the Hoedeman Gallery of Sacred Art, located in the Iversen Center on the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul campus); it will run through September 2024. The gallery is open daily during business hours. Parking is free during the summer in the Frey Hall garage at 75 Cleveland Ave. N., a block south of the Iversen Center.
As do so many of us I love seeing and feeling the world’s beautiful places and spaces, of late that includes churches. Given good fortune and global affordances I once witnessed Europe’s beautiful churches – by the dozens – as a Fulbright-Hayes Teaching Professor in the UK. Thirty years later I was awarded a Google-Earth Fellowship in Palo Alto (CA), virtually “taking to the air” to see any cityscape I might choose. I am now Emeritus Professor at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. I made, taught, and wrote about graphic and map design in three countries for a half century. Educated (robustly) by clergy of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Christian Brothers (both Irish and Lasallian), and the Society of Jesus, I was told by my language teacher in high school it would be best if l learned to “think in Latin.” I never quite could, but the alternative — “thinking in images” — was my ideal path. Right now, I am “urban sketching” in Saint Paul, where I live, downtown being walkable to many churches, courthouses, museums, music and dance venues, a gorgeous state Capitol, and parks aplenty.
I am on Instagram (#jkevinbyrne), small images of the show here: instagram
I also have a dozen illustrated essays on Medium, a social journalism web platform here:“There are more Catholic churches in the U.S. than there are post offices.” (loosely attributed to Cliff Clavin, Jr., U.S. postal carrier)
“In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ the Church needs art.” (John Paul II, Pope and Saint)
“I have learned that what I have not drawn, I have never really seen.” (Frederick Franck, Dutch American artist and author)
“Drawing takes time. A line has time in it.” (David Hockney, English artist)
J Kevin Byrne Exhibit in Minneapolis: A Pilgrimage on Paper Thru 9-29
