Calling all artists for Place of Grace

I needed a place to stay this second semester. I came with only bits of hope to Viterbo to see what housing I could still find in late December. I passed Tom Thibbedeau in a hallway and asked him if he knew of any students looking for sub-leasers. Tom looked at me straight with his crazy eyes and his half smile that can't seem to hold the Holy Spirit inside.

"Why don't you move into the Place of Grace with Ben and Michael?" he said.

I felt my lips slip into a smile and my eyes widen to match his crazed holiness.

"I'll think about that," I said.

In my third week here at the house, I'm in love with it, and am sliding towards contentment that I'm afraid will last forever. I'm getting the feeling that I could live here at the house for the rest of my life, doing exactly what I do now, and stay satisfied with all my 20 years of little life accomplishments.

Of course that's not exactly true. That is simply the sense of comfort and belonging I have been gifted in my first three weeks at the Place of Grace. I've not only felt this way with my roommates Ben and Michael though. More importantly, I feel understood, accepted, even loved by those who give the house its identity, and justify the word "Grace" in the house's title. If I were to paint the house, poeticize it in writing, or set it to music, these "poor" people would be my inspiration.

Which brings me to my point: I intend for the house to be captured in art. The house must be painted; it must be written; it must be composed. Of course not literally, but by the creative media of the visual arts; writings; and compositions the Place of Grace must be depicted. I cannot create by any one of these techniques as well as I know many of my classmates of Viterbo can.

I am asking for you artists to share your gifts. I don't want people to craft a work of my imagination though, nothing by my inspirations. Rather I want artists to take the inspiration which I know Place of Grace can give, and create works that will display the range of life that is inherent to a House that is home to many. 

If you are interested in becoming a part of this project, please e-mail zjohns00312@viterbo.edu.