LECTURE ON THE CHANGING FACE OF RELIGION SET AT ASHFORD

The Cortona Gallery and the Cortona Lecture Series at Ashford University are named in honor of Sister Cortona Phelan OSF, Ph.D.

Sister Cortona served as president of Mount St. Clare College ( now Ashford University ) and of the Sisters of St. Francis who founded the College in 1918.

Sister Cortona was a visionary leader who advanced the mission of the congregation and the College during her many years of service. She was a patron of the arts and sciences, devoting her life to the educational betterment of students and the wider community. She was also among the founders of NETWORK, the National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, and of the Franciscan Federation.

The gallery and the lectures are always free and open to the public.

For additional information contact Sister Hilary Mullany at 563-242-7611 or send e-mail to hilarymullany@gmail.com

CLINTON, IOWA (February 28, 2008) – The artwork of Doug Jaques will be featured in an exhibit called “The Frame Within” in Ashford University’s Cortona Gallery March 3-28. A reception for the artist will be held on March 13 from 4-6 p.m.

“I am compelled to make icons that reflect, at least to some degree, the magnificence and the mystery of Creation. I believe we are living in a created universe. It makes sense, then, if I want my work to dimly mirror Creation that I should try to imitate the way the creator works,” Jaques said. He has 14 guidelines for producing art. Some of the guidelines include never explaining the work, or at least never explaining it completely, the work must be of a mysterious nature, the work is usually symbolic of at least one truth, and the work may be ugly, but must be beautiful.

His two media of choice are paint and digital images which he often mixes, printing digital images over some of the watercolors he creates. “Digital imaging has become so prevalent, so fast, especially in more commercial venues that they are not yet given full status in the fine arts,” the artist said. “One of my goals as a painter is to make digital prints that have the strength of any other art form.”

Jaques has painted murals in many locations, including Marian College in Indianapolis, Indiana in 2007, Concordia University in Austin, Texas in 2002-2003, the Barr Mansion in Austin, Texas in 2001, and Motorola in Austin, Texas in 1996. He has received the Chronicle Best of Austin award in the mural category in 1998 and 1999. He also received the Best of Show, City of Austin Design Award for Excellence in 1990, has been honored as a selected member of the AVAANTI 6 2000, and has had an honorable mention at the AVAA Members Exhibition in 1998.

He obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the John Herron School of Art of Indiana University in 1969. He received his Master’s of Fine Arts degree from the University of Illinois in 1971. He then taught Freehand Drawing for Architects along with Painting I and II at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana from 1969-1971. He also taught Mural Painting, Acrylic and Oil Painting, Life Drawing, Design, Watercolor, and Drawing I and II at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas from 1990-2003.

He has presented many exhibitions, including a solo exhibition at the VAM Gallery in Austin Texas in 2003, a CIVA National Juried Drawing and Print Exhibition in 2003 and an AVAA Members Exhibition in 1998. His collections have been shown at the First Evangelical Church in Austin Texas, St. Anthony College, Oxford University in Oxford, England, at Motorola in Austin, Texas, at the City of Austin, Art in Public Places Collection in Austin, Texas, at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas, and at the Hyde Park Church of Christ, also in Austin, Texas.

The Cortona Gallery, located on the second floor of the University’s Clare Hall, 400 N. Bluff Blvd., is named for Sister Cortona Phelan, OSF, former president of Mount St. Clare College and former president of the Sisters of St. Francis. She influenced the quality of education at the College through her teaching of American history and her love of the arts for many years. She also served as MSC Academy Principal and as Dean of Students at the College.

The free art gallery is open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on weekdays and for private showings by appointment. For further information, interested persons can call 563-242-4023.