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In days of profound uncertainty, the orienting power of Beauty presents with even greater power and urgency. In the spirit of optimistic renewal, the Catholic Art Institute invites the faithful to attend its fifth annual national conference, this time to be held on the historic grounds of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Those who attend this singularly inspiring event can interact with the wide array of Catholic artists and thinkers who represent the nascent and emerging new Catholic renaissance of the broader west, and come away enriched and enthused for the work ahead. Historic Washington along with The Catholic University of America – with its profound Catholic heritage and serene campus – provides an ideal setting for this gathering.
The conference begins on Saturday, Friday Sept 27th, with holy Mass, followed by breakfast, initial presentations, lunch and plenty of networking time. Over the next two days it will proceed with a rich schedule of activities, including an extraordinary lineup of speakers who are leaders in their respective fields:
Dr. Chloë Reddaway will be the conferences keynote speaker. The McDonald Agape Research Fellow in Theology and the Visual Arts at King’s College London, Dr. Reddaway has a large body of work emphasizing focusing on visual theology and sacred art. A video sample of her compelling lectures can be found at the National Gallery’s video series.
The conference will also include talks by traditional architect Craig Hamilton, author and philanthropist Roberta Ahmanson, and architect James C. McCrery, II, the founder of the Traditional Architecture program at The Catholic University of America. In the realm of storytelling and media, Dr. Barbara Nicolosi, a screenwriter and author, offers a compelling perspective on the role of narrative in shaping culture. Finally, the spiritual core of the conference will be enriched by Very Rev. Fr. Joshua Caswell, SJC, the Superior General of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, a parish and order which has become a center for the Catholic arts in North America. The talks will feature Q&A sessions with each speaker.
The conference will include a Friday night celebration of our shared work and vision in the form of an elegant sit-down dinner. Another real highlight of the first four conferences has been the unofficial after-social, a place where friendships are made and ideas exchanged in a less formal atmosphere: conference veterans always know to attend!
A key subtheme of every CAI conference is the celebration of those who pursue beauty in their various endeavors. Often isolated in their vibrant work, the ability to gather, socialize, and celebrate has become a profound source of uplift and inspiration to the artists and patrons in attendance. Therefore the 2024 Catholic Art Institute Conference is not just an event; it is a movement aimed at restoring beauty to its rightful place in our culture and building friendships between those so engaged.
Whether you are an artist in any field, patron, member of the clergy or religious, theologian, or simply someone who appreciates the pursuit of the numinous, this conference offers something profound and lasting. The setting in Washington, D.C., with its deep Catholic roots and vibrant arts scene, only enhances the experience, making this an event not to be missed.
For more details and to secure your place at the 2024 Catholic Art Institute Conference, visit the Catholic Art Institute’s website.