What's Happening

July 30, 2026, Adrian, Michigan – About 25 Dominican artists – sisters, Associates, and friars – gathered at the Weber Retreat and Conference Center July 20-23, 2026, for the annual gathering of the Dominican Institute for the Arts (DIA). 

Participants had the opportunity to be inspired by the keynote speaker, honor and support the award recipients, share their artistic gifts, and learn from one another. The theme for the gathering was “Entering the Threshold of the Cosmic Christ.”

Members of the DIA include visual artists, such as painters and sculptors; musicians and composers; dancers; actors; writers and poets; photographers; appreciators of art; and artists working in a variety of media. 

“We are a unique organization,” said John Mascazine, President of the DIA and an Associate with the Dominican Sisters of Peace. “We are not only artists and Dominicans, but we bring in our preaching.”

John opened the 2026 gathering with awards presentations. Sister Maryanna Euring, OP (Amityville), a painter, received the Fra Angelico Award, the highest honor bestowed by the DIA. This award is given to a DIA member whose work is “of high quality in their discipline and highly valued in artistic ideals,” John explained. 
Sister Maryanna’s work in painting, photography, and Chinese brush drawing is “acclaimed by many,” he said. “Her works encourage us to take responsibility for our community and our planet.”

Accepting the award on Zoom, Sister Maryanna said she was “totally shocked and ... honored. I thank you for this great honor.” A native of Yonkers, New York, Sister Maryanna moved with her family to East Rockaway, New York, as a child. She attended Dominican Commercial High School, where she met the Amityville Dominican Sisters and entered the Congregation in 1956. 

After ministering as a teacher, administrator, hospital chaplain, and counselor, she is now expressing herself through the arts. “It is my hope and prayer that my art will continue to be a source of peace, inspiration, and healing to others,” she said.

Adrian Dominican Sister Joella Miller, OP, received the Spirit Award. “This year’s recipient has served in various capacities, even when called on in different situations and difficult questions,” John said in making the announcement. “She has guided us with a steady hand and has a wealth of pastoral knowledge and skills. She would always offer her support of artists.” 

Sister Joella, a photographer, has been a member of the DIA for 26 years and has served on the DIA Board. “This organization has meant everything in the world to me,” Sister Joella said in accepting the award. “I am more than thrilled and support each one of you.” 

A native of Elgin, Illinois, Sister Joella has ministered as teacher and principal. She was elected Chapter Prioress of the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Midwest Dominican Mission Chapter in 1993, serving a six-year term. She serves on the board of the Community Action Agency, a nonprofit organization in Adrian.

During the first full day, participants heard a keynote address by Sister Gabi Williams, OP (Oakford, South Africa), who ministers in the United States. In her inspiring and challenging talk, she focused on humanity’s relationship with the cosmos, the universe, and the Cosmic Christ. She invited her listeners to “see creation not as scenery but as sacrament, a meeting place of two realities: ourselves and God; to see ourselves not as owners but as participants; and to see Christ not only as redeemer of souls but as the radiant center of a living, evolving universe.”

The participants had the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops, including Psalms and Creative Spirit, recorders, iconography, and mosaics. Workshops on metal smithing, clay creations, and glass fusion were offered at the nearby Adrian Center for the Arts. 

DIA members also elected two new Board members: Sister Cheryl Liske, OP (Adrian), and Sister Gabi Williams, OP (Oakford). They join John Mascazine, OPA (Peace Associate), President; Sister Nancy Murray, OP (Adrian), Vice President; Sister Elizabeth Slenker, OP (Sparkill), Treasurer; and Sister Rosemary Asaro, OP (Adrian), Secretary; and Mark Hanes, OPA (Peace Associate), Sister Xiomara Méndez Hernández, OP (Adrian), Father Rudolf Lowenstein, OP (England Province), members at large. 
The gathering concluded with a Liturgy in celebration of the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, the very first witness to the risen Christ, the one sent to proclaim the good news to the other disciples; and Patroness of the Dominican Order. Father Rudolf Lowenstein, OP (England Province), presided over the Mass and Sister Xiomara Méndez Hernández, OP (Adrian), Dominican Sisters Conference Executive Director, preached. 

The celebration continued with a Gala, a coffee house-style sharing of talent. Beginning on the next day, July 23, some of the participants attended the first artists’ retreat offered by the DIA.

Feature photo at top: Sister Joella Miller, OP, (Adrian), receives the Spirit Award from John Mascazine, President of the Dominican Institute of the Arts.