On Sunday, April 12, 2015, newly commissioned Sacred Artwork was unveiled by the Knights of Columbus and blessed by Fr. Joseph Sredzinski at historic Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Polish Hill, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The newly rendered "The Virgin Mary of Nazareth, Ark of The New Covenant, Throne of The Divine Mercy Incarnate" was created by James Sulkowski, Artist. The church is one of the first churches in the United States to hold the Divine Mercy Novena.
On Sunday, February 22, 2015, in the Gloria Chapel at Little Sisters of the Poor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, there was an unveiling of the commissioned set of oil paintings - Mary, Ark of The New Covenant and Jesus - The Divine Mercy by artist James Sulkowski, and newly rendered 36” statue - Mary, Ark of The New Covenant by A.T. Merhaut, Inc. The blessing was by Father Angelus Shaughnessy, OFM, Cap., followed by the Family Eucharistic Holy Hour, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in Motion and the World Mission Rosary.
My daughter, Monet, posed as Mary for me this week between Christmas and New Year's. I dressed her in some fabric that I had around my art studio. She inspired the drawings shown in the photos. I have much more to do, but this is how it all begins; with charcoal studies drawn from life. For me, Monet was the right model and I'm excited to be working on this painting of “Mary, Ark of The New Covenant.”
On December 5, 2014, Bernadette and Pat met with Artist James Sulkowski to discuss the details of the painting he has been commissioned to complete, "Mary, Ark of The New Covenant." This image will be displayed and venerated during the Family Eucharistic Holy Hours (FEHH). During their visit, they also presented James with a copy of "Out of This World Recipes & Morsels of Mercy" cookbook/prayer book and "The Diary of St. Faustina." Upon competition of the painting of "Mary, Ark of The New Covenant," James will begin to paint the image of "Jesus, The Divine Mercy" to also be used in the FEHH.