Artists hope for another blessed year

Suzie Harrison

Once a year, before everything hits a frenetic summer pace, artists

put down their paintbrushes, palettes and other tools of the trade to

be blessed at the annual Blessing of the Artists.

With the start of the summer art festivals less than a month away,

the tradition of blessing the artist’s in early June has become an

eight-year tradition at St. Catherine of Siena Church.

This year’s blessing will begin at 7 p.m. today. Last year the

blessing was the last event at the church before its renovation.

Still in remodel mode, the event has been moved to St. Catherine’s

school’s gym.

The spirit of the event is evident in a flier that is circulating

to promote the event: “Hooray for artists, come get blessed out of

your socks!”

The idea came to fruition because of a conversation between artist

Anne England and Msgr. John Urell who were talking about the fact

that they have a lot of artists in their congregation.

England recalled Urell said, “We have a lot of artists we should

start the season with a blessing.”

She thought it was a great idea.

“I said, I think we should bless all the artists in the community,

not just us,” England said. “And the artists love it. Some come with

their brushes, sculpting tools -- they bring their tools to be

blessed.”

The Rev. Eamon O’Gorman has been giving the blessing the last few

years and will do so again today. His soft-spoken voice, thick with

an Irish accent is comforting.

Renowned artist Fitz Maurice has gone every year and likes telling

other artists about it. Wildlife artist Chris Hoy is disappointed

that he won’t be able to make it this year; he said it will be the

first time in four years that he has missed the event.

The first year there were about 75 artists who attended and now

that number has more than doubled.

Each year it’s a coming together of artists from all faiths.

England said they will have all the bells and whistles and incense

and water, as well as Candace Johnson’s breathtaking voice singing

“Amazing Grace.”

“It’s a time to get together and share the spirit that moves us to

create and remind us to be kind to each other and be considerate of

each other and not so frantic,” England said.

Following the ceremony there will be a reception with plenty of

food and wine.

St. Catherine’s is located at 3090 S. Coast Highway. For

information call (949) 494-9701.