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October 16, 2019, Adrian, Michigan – Set aside time to know yourself more deeply as “God’s work of art” through a day of embodied prayer, using clay, color, music, and movement. “Honoring the Sacrament of Our Life: A Day of Prayerful Art” is held at Weber Retreat and Conference Center from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, November 16, 2019.

Adrian Dominican Associates Judi Engel and Trudy McSorley walk participants through the day, honoring the gift of sharing in God’s creative energy as co-creators of the Word.

Judi has taught art at the pre-school to graduate school levels and has worked with inner-city communities and refugees. She continues to work in drawing, mixed media, and watercolors. Judi’s focus has been the juncture of the arts, spirituality, and social justice.

Trudy, formerly on the faculty at Siena Heights University, is committed to the Dominican spirituality and, through her own prayer and contemplation, seeks to be a listener and supporter who encourages people on their journey to the Holy.

The cost of $50 includes lunch, snacks, and supplies. Registration is required and is available at www.webercenter.org; click on “programs.” Registrations may also be made by contacting Weber Center at 517-266-4000 or webercenter@adriandominicans.org. Limited scholarships are available.

Weber Center is on the campus of the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Motherhouse, 1257 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian. Enter the Eastern-most driveway of the complex and follow the signs to Weber Center. For information, call the Weber Center at 517-266-4000.

October 16, 2019, Adrian, Michigan – The INAI Gallery adjacent to Weber Retreat and Conference Center exhibits the sculptures of Siena Heights University graduate Kenneth Thompson from Friday, November 1, 2019 through Sunday, February 9, 2020. The artist’s reception is from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, November 10, 2019.

Kenneth Thompson is well versed in bronze casting, metal fabrication, and stone carving, with a major focus on large-scale public sculptures. His commissions include Reclamation Archway for Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Detroit and the Peace Arch for the City of Toledo in honor of the veterans of the Vietnam War. His most recent installation is the Centennial Mall sculpture designed for the 100th anniversary of his alma mater, Siena Heights University. 

The INAI exhibit, however, features his smaller works and reflects his current explorations of architectural elements. Ken has 28 one-person shows, numerous group exhibitions, and many awards to his credit.

Ken comes from a tradition of craftsmanship, preferring to use materials that convey strength. “Each sculpture is a clean sheet of paper that presents new opportunities to discover solutions,” he says. “Beyond content and suitability, my sculpture concentrates on the fundamental issues of form and how negative space defines it, as well as the techniques employed to create it.”

INAI, pronounced in-EYE and meaning “within” in Japanese, is a contemplative space and art gallery that resonates with the Adrian Dominican Congregation’s vision: to seek truth, make peace, and reverence life. New winter hours, beginning November 1, 2019, are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, Monday through Sunday.

A ministry of Weber Center, INAI is located at 1257 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian. Enter the easternmost driveway and follow signs for Weber Center and INAI. The gallery is off the parking lot of Weber Center. For information, email inaispace@adriandominicans.org or call Sister Suzanne Schreiber, OP, at 517-266-4090.