In celebrating Saint Anselm’s 125th year, the college has put on a series of events, activities, and displays in honor of the prestigious occasion.

One of the most interesting and historically representative displays has been put on by the Chapel Art Center. To commemorate the past century of art appreciation here at Saint Anselm College, the Chapel Art Center has revealed a new exhibit called Reverie: Realizing a Collection.

This collection holds a variety of paintings, sculptures, and furniture pieces all from the college’s permanent collection, which has been building for over 100 years. This brilliant tribute to the history art at Saint Anselm College has to be one of the best anniversary presents yet.

Although the Chapel Art Center has only been established for forty-seven years, the college has been producing skilled works of art for over a century.

In 1893, the Studio of Christian Art was instituted by Father Bonaventure Ostendarp and then later passed down to Father Raphael Pfisterer. Both men were artists themselves, designing and creating murals for churches. In fact, the current mural on the ceiling of the Chapel Art Center’s exhibit room was painted by Father Raphael Pfisterer himself. Works by both Bonaventure and Raphael are displayed in the exhibit.

Manchester, Queen City of New Hampshire, painted by Father Raphael, is placed in the front of the exhibit, being not only one of the older and more significant pieces, but also one of the largest and most eye-catching.

The large circular portrait depicts several different figures in an aesthetically pleasing scene and is set in a large golden frame, detailed by gold leaves along the border. Raphael had created this as the possible official seal for Manchester in 1917; the picture displays several aspects of the city, such as the American flag, an industrial building, and religious figures.

This piece is a wonderful addition to the collection; it celebrates the growth of the city during this point in time, reflecting on the history of both Manchester and Saint Anselm College’s involvement.

Another interesting part of the collection is some of the photographs that were taken by the Studio of Christian Art. The black and white photographs are portraits of other pieces that were previously painted by other artists at the college.

In the exhibit, the Portrait of Father Ambrose Huebner, also by Father Raphael, is displayed next to a photograph of Father Ambrose posing with his same portrait. The different mediums through which they presented their art adds character to the collection as well as extra insight into the college’s history of art.

The exhibit Reverie: Realizing a Collection encompasses over a century of art creation and appreciation at Saint Anselm College. The collection brims with vivid canvases, insightful photographs, authentic furnishings, and bold sculptures. The room itself, with Father Raphael’s detailed and colorful ceiling mural, provides history and remembrance to the exhibit.

The collection shows not only our growth in art, but our commitment to a liberal arts education as well. Saint Anselm College is dedicated to achieving intellectual, moral, and spiritual growth; such an established collection of artwork reminds us of the growth we have accomplished and are continuing to accomplish.

Saint Anselm’s 125 years are remembered and honored in the Chapel Art Center’s tribute to the collection.