News
“Crossing the Threshold to the Cosmic Christ”
Sr Gabriella Williams OP giving her speech.
26 Dominican artists – sisters, associates and friars – gathered at the Weber Retreat and Conference Centre from 20 to 23 July 2026 for the annual gathering of the Dominican Institute for the Arts (DIA) in the USA.
Participants had the opportunity to be inspired by the keynote address, 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."
The DIA’s members include visual artists such as painters and sculptors, musicians and composers, dancers, actors, writers and poets, photographers, art lovers, and artists working witz 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."
On the first full day, the participants heard a keynote address by Sister Gabriella 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 different workshops on Sounds and Creative Spirit; recorders; Icons: Preaching or Propoganda?; metal smithing; and glass fusion. The participants also had the opportunity to just to be.
DIA members also elected two new Boardmembers: 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; Sister Rosemary Asaro, OP (Adrian), Secretary; 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.
by Barbara Kelley, OP, and Xiomara Méndez Hernández, OP
July 2026