Fr. John Meoska, O.S.B.

When we think about supporting the arts, we typically think of funding an endowment for, or making a contribution to, a favorite orchestra, gallery, museum or public radio station. Saint John’s Abbey Woodworking has supported the arts for years – literally; but, here’s the difference: we do it with wood!

Throughout the history of our shop, we have supported the work of many artists and artisans affiliated with Saint John’s Abbey and University. Our contributions range from simple walnut bases for the dramatic bronze castings of our confrere, Father Hugh Witzman OSB, to the complex cabinetry that safely stores and displays the Heritage Editions of the Saint John’s Bible.

Late last year we framed Jesus—and got away with it! That is, we created the 12’x7’ semicircular canvas stretcher frame for Fr. Nathanael Hauser OSB’s stunning icon of Christ the Pantocrator that hangs in the sanctuary of the Abbey Church. During the recent renovation and expansion of Alcuin Library, we were asked to execute various installations, such as a module to display a portrait of Fr. Hilary Thimmesh OSB rendered by Kim Dady, and presentation cases and honeycomb doors for the St. John’s Bible Gallery.

The art of the Saint John’s Bible is exquisite and fascinating, and many of the original pages have been reproduced as offprints. KC Marrin, who designed several versions of the Saint John’s Bible cabinet for us, designed beautiful dovetail oak and brass frames that we make for the offprints

Musical artists are also tuned into our work. We were thrilled to collaborate with KC to build parts of the pipe organ at St. Boniface Parish, Cold Spring, MN, and with Martin Pasi, who recently completed the expansion of the Holtkamp-Pasi organ in our Abbey church. And, budding musicians in the CSB/SJU music department hone their skills through the benefit of a large, wall-mounted, multi-media installation in the SBH rehearsal room.

Our confrere, Fr. Jerome Tupa OSB, has found inspiration in Rome and many other cities of Europe and the Middle East. His vibrant, colorful, and often whimsical interpretations of the cities he visited have been the subject of many dozens of his paintings. One of the distinctive features of many of those panels is the curved minarets, spires and bell towers atop the buildings. (We tease Fr. Jerome that, had he ordered larger frames from us, he wouldn’t have to bend the tops of those buildings to make them fit the canvas!) We’ve also framed many paintings by long time art professor and friend of Saint John’s, Bela Patheo.

Finally, we support the creativity of sculptors and potters. The College of Saint Benedict thanks major donors with a gift of pottery, thrown by S. Dennis Frandrup OSB. In a wonderful collaboration, which was the brainchild of Sr. Colman O’Connell OSB, Abbey Woodworking designs and executes a one-of-a-kind presentation box for each platter and bowl. Donors end up with two beautiful gifts! Another memorable collaboration happened in 2005 when the Abbey Woodworking team created approximately 40 boxes of various shapes and sizes for the interactive sculpture installation, Facing the Fire, by Brother David Paul Lange OSB.

Ahh, so many ways to support the arts – literally! If you would like to support our art of woodworking, we recently made a limited run of Oak Plateaus designed by David Engleson (see pictures below). If you would like to own one of these beautiful pieces please contact us through the button below.

Order a Plateau

Supporting the Arts...Literally