Soirée to immerse guests in beauty of sacred art, music

(All photos were taken at the St. Louis IX Art Society’s inaugural showcase of sacred art in 2021.)

By BETH DONZE
Clarion Herald

The archdiocesan ministry founded in 2021 to celebrate the beauty of sacred art – the St. Louis IX Art Society – will shake up the traditional “gala” template next month by hosting an evening of uplifting and unique offerings in the visual and performing arts.

“A Soirée of Art and Beauty,” set for Nov. 3 from 6:30-9 p.m. at Notre Dame Seminary, 2901 S. Carrollton Ave. in New Orleans, will include dinner, drinks, live classical music and opportunities to bid on an extensive selection of Catholic art, said Jordan Haddad, co-founder of the art ministry open to both the creators and appreciators of sacred art.

“Because we’re a society devoted to the cultivation of art and beauty, we’ve designed the soirée to be an immersive experience that engages the whole person,” Haddad said, offering a glimpse of what guests will experience at the soirée-fundraiser.

Attendees, including guest of honor Archbishop Gregory Aymond, will be treated to live classical music provided by wind and string instrumentalists Regina Cates, Sarah Banker, Raudol Palacios, Christy Lee Gandy, Benjamin Thacher, Paul Macres and Gabriela Estevez.

The event’s other musical performers – the Schola group from Jesuit High School – will take the stage to sing an a capella program of sacred music.

Haddad described the soirée’s auction of Catholic art as “robust,” noting that it will feature many original works ranging from smaller images and icons, to 8-by-5-foot oil paintings of the archangels.

Another “live” component of the night will be the opportunity to watch St. Louis IX Art Society artist Jacob Zumo execute a sacred art painting, from start to finish, over the course of the evening. The artist’s completed piece will be auctioned off at the soirée.

Sacred art ministry takes off

The art society – which has become affectionately known by its St. Louis IX shorthand of “SL9” – is currently planning its schedule of events for spring 2023, including new installments of its popular Catholic art lecture series and a new Parish Mission Chamber Concert offering.

“While we do hope to successfully fund-raise the resources needed to continue our mission in the months ahead, our primary hope is to introduce the wider Catholic community of South Louisiana to the world of art and culture that’s blossoming in our own backyard,” Haddad said. “When Abby (Reller) and I started the St. Louis IX Art Society, we couldn't have imagined that one year later we would have already put on multiple Catholic art showcases and lecture events, commissioned two original art projects through the St. Louis IX Art Fund, and be preparing to celebrate our inaugural soirée fundraiser. The turnout and response has been greater than we expected, and I think it will only grow as our local communities encounter the work of our professionally-trained Catholic artists firsthand.”

Sacred art journal in the works

The St. Louis IX Art Society will be expanding its reach even more in the coming months. A new quarterly journal called “Joie de Vivre” – a print journal of Catholic art, culture, history and letters encompassing South Louisiana – will  debut in spring 2023.

The art society also recently launched a Catholic art and home decor endeavor called “Interior Life,” an “HGTV-style” show and e-commerce platform designed to help parents and homeowners “turn their houses into homes and their homes into domestic churches,” Haddad said. (To explore the art and home decor offerings, visit interiorlifehome.com).

“When I think about the people that we have been able to bring together around this common mission to make the church of South Louisiana more beautiful and sacred, it fills me with tremendous gratitude and excitement,” Haddad said. “Their gifts, generosity and passion have been beyond anything I could have previously imagined!”

Advance tickets and sponsorship options for the Nov. 3 Soirée of Art and Beauty are available at sl9art.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Current and future ministry members are invited to access the website for updates and to subscribe to the group’s monthly newsletter.

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