More Sculptures for the Mother of the Divine Word Shrine in Cedarburg

Working in the business of liturgical artwork, we are often approached by clients hoping to commission artwork that will inspire the faithful across generations - we share that desire, hoping our artwork will serve the faithful of future generations as well.  However, when we were recently approached by Jim Kacmarcik, a parishioner of St. Francis Borgia, about creating artwork for the Mother of the Divine Word Shrine located on the parish's grounds, we were really excited.  As the son of the original project donors we had served twelve years earlier, with this project we would literally be able to serve a future generation through our artwork.

Back in 2000 when we created the original shrine artwork, we had been approached by, Msgr. T. George Gajdos, then pastor of St. Francis Borgia, about a possible commission. Thomas and Josephine Kacmarcik had approached Msgr. Gajdos, desiring to sponsor the creation of a Marian shrine at the parish and they eventually commissioned a series of cast resin sculptures that would adorn the Shrine for the next decade.  The pieces included a full-round depiction of the Blessed Mother, reliefs of angels and reliefs of Saints Matthew the Evangelist, Thomas the Apostle, Joseph and Catherine.

 Original Artwork at the Shrine from 2000

Hoping to continue his parent's legacy at the church, Jim Kacmarcik contacted us last September about several different proposals for additional artwork to the expanded shrine. He ultimately chose to commission six new reliefs in the style of those already present in the shrine.  The project was formally approved by the Kacmarcik family and the parish's pastor  Fr. Thomas Eichenberger by the beginning of the year, and over the next few months a series of deep discussions took place between our studio, the Kacmarcik family and Fr. Eichenberger to determine subjects for the statues that would be relevant to today's faithful.  The final list ultimately included well known selections, as well as those more recently recognized, including Saints Michael the Archangel, Peter, Juan Diego, Pio of Pietrelcina and Kateri Tekakwitha and Servant of God Dorothy Day.

Servant of God Dorothy Day (left) and St. Juan Diego (right)

 St. Kateri Tekakwitha (left) and St. Michael the Archangel (right)

 St. Peter (left) and St. Pio of Pietrelcina

 

As the subject of each relief was chosen, a series of sketches and then a full scale clay model was developed for each saint. Once approved, a mold was then created from each clay model and the final reliefs cast in resin and bronze powders using a technique known as 'cold casting'. The completed reliefs were installed at the shrine on July 11, 2013.

We sincerely thank the Kacmarcik family, as well as Fr. Eichenberger and the rest of the St. Francis Borgia parish, for their continued trust in Inspired Artisans. We are proud to have had the opportunity to serve another generation of the Kacmarcik family through the creation of liturgical art.

If you have any questions or your faith community has a need for liturgical artwork, feel free to contact us at any time.  Or please visit our website at www.inspiredart.com.