Dedicated Members & Volunteers
Pondering Mary : Her Story through Icons
It ’ s hard to believe that we have once again turned the page on our calendars to a new year .
For the many of you who supported our End-of-Year Fund Drive , we thank you . We reached our goals for the year and enter 2017 with a budget that will allow us to achieve our ambitious plans .
Our membership continues to grow — we are now over 500 strong — and the staff strives to create a personal experience for every visitor , and are genuinely interested in their suggestions . Our spring exhibit , Pondering Mary : Her Story through Icons , comes from Reverend Chris Visminis , whose visit to the museum inspired this marvelous idea . Several years of careful research and collaboration with the Museum , as well as the help of two academic volunteers — Professor Amy Adams ( College of the Holy Cross ) and Professor Vera Shevzov ( Smith College )— led to Pondering Mary , which opens in March .
The tours and programs that will be offered in conjunction with Pondering Mary would not be possible without our own dedicated army of volunteers . Our docent program , interns from regional colleges , and Professor Raoul Smith , who was the founder / editor of the Journal of Icons Studies , and all his volunteer editorial board , keep the public informed and engaged .
We certainly hope that you ’ ll come by this winter , no matter the weather , to enjoy all of the events and programs that we have planned for 2017 .
Happy New Year ,
Dedicated Members & Volunteers
Kent Russell , CEO / Curator
Pondering Mary : Her Story through Icons
March 11 - May 21 , 2017
Mother of God Tikhvin | c . 1850
Mary ’ s role in Christianity grew out of her role as Jesus ’ mother . As early Christians tried to figure out who Jesus was and how he related to God , they also began asking questions about Mary .
Over the centuries , as Western devotion to her grew , Mary became important in her own right , apart from her Son . Specific devotions to her , such as the Rosary , came into being . As her notability grew in strength , Western images of her depicted not a mature woman , but a slim , young woman with flowing hair , who was both sweet and compassionate , with a demure humility .
In the East however , the Virgin never attained a prominence apart from her Son . As you will see in these icons , seldom is she portrayed without some relationship to Christ . From the beginning , she was portrayed as one in full possession of her powers . She is never portrayed as the young , adoring mother so often found on our Christmas cards . Rather , she is a woman who has born life and death , seen joy and grief , and has “ pondered all these things in her heart .”
Come see how Mary ’ s life is portrayed in icons ; how her relationship with her Son has defined her ; and how the Russians have viewed her complex role in salvation .
Reverend Chris Visminis curated this exhibit . She is an ordained Episcopal Minister , holds a B . A . in theology from Duquesne University , and an M . A . in theology from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary .
Our Fabulous Fall Interns
For many years the Museum and college students have benefitted from the Intern Program , and the fall of 2016 was no exception . Anna Farwell , a Graphic Design major from Fitchburg State University , not only created an amazing interactive e-catalog for our fall exhibit , Holy Fools to Wonderworkers , but also created all new graphics for the Children ’ s Corner and worked on many design projects around the Museum .
Laura Wassing came to us all the way from Leiden University in Utrecht , Netherlands , where she is an International Studies major . Laura ’ s main project was to write a research paper on the relationship between the State and Orthodox Churches in Russia , but contributed to a number of other projects , as well .
Both women were indispensible during the 10th Anniversary festivities . We wish them luck and thank them for their dedication !
2 | WINTER 2017
L . Laura Wassing , R . Anna Farwell