The Art Deco Murals of Hildreth Meière

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Mosaic as seen in
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
by Hildreth Meière, AASH President 1957-1959

Tonight's abc news featured a story about a local artist who has opened the Chicago Mosaic School. Karen Ami, CMS Founder is teaching the ancient art of mosaics and recently acquired leftover material from the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.  This story reminded me of my first visit to the basilica where I saw the gorgeous mosaic of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne created by famed artist and Sacred Heart alumna Hildreth Meière.   

The above book will be published in May 2014
to order or for more info click here

Kathleen Murphy Skolnik an architectural historian recently collaborated with art historian Catherine Coleman Brawer on a new book The Art Deco Murals of Hildreth Meière  which will be published by Andrea Monfried Editions in May 2014.  The book is the first in-depth exploration of Meière who is considered a pioneer artist in the decorative approach to modernism known today as Art Deco and who helped to revolutionize twentieth century architectural decoration.

Renowned Art Deco Artist Hildreth Meière Celebrated in New MOBIA Exhibition Walls Speak

Hildreth Meiere, AASH President 1957-1959
(1892-1961)

Hildreth Meiere, an alumna of the Covent of the Sacred Heart Manhattanville (class of 1911) and past president of AASH.  She is considered one of the best known and most prolific Art Deco muralists of the 20th century.  Recognized during her lifetime for both her liturgical and secular work.  Meiere completed over 100 commissions from 1922 to 1961 including altarpieces and decorative programs for many of America's most prominent congregations.  Wall Speak highlights Meiere's liturgical work examining her designs for several commissions including St.Bartholomew's Church and Temple Emanu-El in New York City; the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, and the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

Radio City Music Hall, NYC 
Most will recognize  the mosiac entitled "Dance" however few
may know the artist's name

The WALLS SPEAK exhibit at MOBIA will run from February 3,  2012 - May 20, 2012 

Mother Teresa and Anita Figueredo (AASH Past President, 1959-61)

Sacred Heart Connections

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (Aug 26, 1910 - Sept 5, 1997)
photo taken prior to the 2009 AASH Cor Unum Awards Liturgy at the
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

As the evening draws to a close, I have become aware that today (September 5th) marked the 14th year anniversary of Mother Teresa's death.  Most everyone has heard of this extraordinary woman.  I took the photo (above) while in Los Angeles attending the 2009 AASH Conference.  It was also the last time I would have the pleasure of seeing AASH past president, Anita Figueredo. 

Antia Figueredo and Mother Teresa

I first met Anita in 2004 in San Diego.  While I physically towered over her it was not until after I took the above photos of both she and Mother Teresa in the Cathedral that I began to realize that Anita Figueredo was bigger than life itself.  She had accomplished more than I could ever imagine in her 93 years of life.  And what a life she had lived.  She is a true inspiration! Dr. Anita Figueredo married Dr. William Doyle in 1942. She was an alumna of Manhattanville, a mother of nine, a pioneer female oncology surgeon, became a confidant of Mother Teresa and so much more! To begin to understand and know Anita, I highly recommend getting your hands on the book, "A Trail of Light" by her daughter Sarita Eastman. 

Anita Figueredo (1916- 2010)
Photo taken April 25, 2009

The quote below is taken from the book "A Trail of Light, The Very Full Life of Dr. Anita Figueredo" by Sarita Eastman ~ 

"Anita's religious life was not familial... Then, too, at just the age when she was seeking her true spiritual home, she encountered the highly intelligent and attractive Religious of the Sacred Heart and cast her lot with them." 

P.S.  Read more about Dr. Anita V. Figueredo on page 5 of the Fall 2010 issue of Esprit de Coeur - click here