The Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition is a fine art reproduction of the first illuminated manuscript bible produced in over 500 years. Limited to 299 copies, the purpose of this signed and numbered edition is "to ignite the spiritual imagination of people around the world of all faith journeys."
Commissioned in 1998 by the Benedictine monks of Saint John's Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota, The Saint John's Bible presents all 73 books from the Old and New Testament in seven volumes. Artistic Director and calligrapher Donald Jackson, working with a team of artists in Wales, designed an alphabet, inked stamps, textile patterns, and other motifs that carry themes across volumes.
The Saint John's Bible includes 160 illuminations, incorporating a wide range of artistic styles, including iconography, abstraction, chrysography, and illustration. As a work of sacred art, it stands alone. These volumes can be used in liturgies, by scholars, and in the daily life of a faith community.
*Excerpted and adapted, The Saint John's Bible, Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Sponsored by: Office of the President, University Library, Center for Interfaith Community Engagement, Department of Art, Mission and Identity
Diane received an Associate Degree from Jefferson School of Commercial Art and has over 45 years experience working in the creative field as a graphic designer. She has taught calligraphy and related classes in Minnesota for over 40 years and for the past 35 years she has taught workshops throughout the U.S. and Canada. She also conducted workshops in Japan and Australia. Her work is published in the 22nd and 23rd Editions of the Speedball Textbook. Diane is part of the artistic team for The Saint John's Bible and recently completed the design, lettering and illuminations for the donor volume, The Book of Honor. It is the eighth and companion volume to TSJB.
Name LetteringDates: Thursday, March 22 2018 from 11:00 am - 1: 00 pm
Location: Gallagher Student Center, facilitated by Interfaith Community Engagement
Nationally known calligrapher, Diane von Arx, visits Xavier University. Diane did treatment work (four illuminations) for the Wisdom Books volume of the Saint John's Bible (SJB), the most recent acquisition of the set for the University.
Public LectureDates: Thursday, March 22 2018 at 7:00 pm
Location: CLC Kennedy Auditorium: Special Treatment Illuminations for the Saint John's Bible
The focus of this talk is geared toward a general audience including those with an interest in calligraphy, illumination, book arts, sacred art, design, and illustration. Working under artistic director, Donald Jackson, the lecture will provide an overview of being a part of the St. John's Bible project. Challenges, communication issues, and artists working together for a particular production purpose will be some of the topics covered. Diane will also discuss the creative process of her own work, including her Wisdom Books illuminations for the St. John's Bible, and the rewards of her art form. There will be time for questions at the end of the lecture and an opportunity to view Xavier University's Heritage Edition of the Wisdom Books volume.
Gallery TalkDates: Friday, March 23 2018 from 12:00 pm - 12:50 pm
Location: McDonald Library first floor garden area
Students, faculty, staff, and others are invited to participate in a Question and Answer session with the calligrapher, Diane von Arx.
WorkshopDates: Friday, March 23 2018 from 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Location: Cohen 168c
Participants in this workshop will illuminate and decorate a letter using some traditional methods and tools which will include the use of gold leaf and color. Each person will choose colors and areas to gild as we go through the process of laying base for the leaf and painting and patterning the background of the letter.There will be no participation fee and the Department of Art will provide supplies.
Psalms DisplayDates: August 15 through December 16 2016
Location: Gallagher Student Center, Clock Tower Lounge
See the most recent addition of the institution's Saint John's volumes. The Psalms volume features digital prints of chant traditions throughout the world. There will be a concurrent display in the CLC atrium of other volumes of the bible.
For more information, contact Marty Ferrell - Ferrell@xavier.edu.
Print ExhibitDates: August 26 through September 29, 2016
Location: Gallagher Student Center, 3rd floor gallery
Framed pages from the Heritage Edition of the Saint John's Bible showcase a sampling of the 160 illuminations in the completed work.
Page-a-DayDates: weekdays, September 6 through 30, 2016 at Noon
Location: Gallagher Student Center, Clock Tower Lounge
Students, faculty, staff, and others are invited to participate and witness a turning of the page of the Psalms volume. This is a unique opportunity to learn more about the Saint John's Bible manuscript and to view other illuminations and passages from the volume.
Back to the Bible: A Bible Study LoungeDates: September 20, 2016 beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Gallagher Student Center, Clock Tower lounge
Take a break from text books to study the Big Book! In conjunction with the St. John's Bible display on Xavier's campus, the Clock Tower Lounge will be available as a bible study space from 8:00am on September 20 to 8:00pm on September 22. Over 40 bibles with different languages will be available for study.
Walter Brueggemann LectureDate: September 20, 2016, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Bellarmine Chapel
Renowned Psalms scholar Walter Brueggemann will give a public talk, "Artistry of the Psalms." Brueggemann is one of the most influential bible interpreters of our time and a highly sought-after speaker. The event will feature a performance by the Xavier University Gospel Choir.
Brown Bag Lunch with Father Eric Hollas, OSBDate: September 29, 2016, 12:00pm
Location: Center for Mission and Identity
Father Eric Hollas, a Benedictine monk at Saint John's Abbey, will share his expertise on utilizing the Saint John's Bible on September 29th. During Mission and Identity's Brown Bag Lunch at noon, Fr. Hollas will discuss Spiritual Reflections and the St. John's Bible.
Faculty WorkshopDate: September 29, 2016, 3:00pm
Location: Workshop in CLC 308, refreshments in the CTE lounge
Faculty are invited to the CTE curriculum workshop at 3:00pm. Fr. Hollas authors a blog, "A Monk's Chronicle" and has also served as the Executive Director of the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library at Saint John's University.
