Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
October 9, 2002
Relief of namesake dedicated at Regis University
A life-size bronze relief of St. John Francis Regis is the latest addition to the artwork that dots the northwest Denver Regis University campus. The relief was created by Montana sculptor Joe Halko. It commemorates the namesake saint of the Jesuit university, which is celebrating its 125th year in 2002-2003.
The artwork was donated by the Tracy Family Foundation. Tom Tracy Sr. is a 1961 Regis graduate, a regent of the university, and president of Genuine Parts Distributors. Last year, Tracy proposed the new piece of art to recognize the university's anniversary.
Halko's piece depicts St. Regis in conversation with the destitute women of 17th century LePuy, France, whom he sought to help by breaking the cycle of poverty and prostitution.
The relief joins numerous other works of original art on campus. The art at Regis University is all representative of spiritual or academic issues, and usually a combination of the two.
Other artwork on campus:
lStatue of author James Joyce, who was known for writing about epiphany and artistic insight through spirituality.
lJudaica collection: samples of Jewish calligraphy — some extremely old — and seder ceremonial plates and other materials (Carroll Hall, Evergreen Room).
lBuddhist collection: paintings and small sculptures, all different representations of the manifestations of the divine, in the Buddhist tradition (West Hall, Conference Room B).
lEastern Orthodox art samples, including icons in the Byzantine tradition and iconographic pieces copied from Eastern Orthodox churches (Carroll Hall, first floor).
lSouthwestern Native American Art, featuring Hopi and Navajo spiritual representations, in the Columbine Room, Carroll Hall.
Regis also has, in the Dayton Memorial Library, one of the largest private collections of santos in the world. Santos are a Catholic art form developed in the past few centuries as icons created in the Southwest tradition.
Regis University is at 3333 Regis Blvd. in Denver.
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