Art Collection

The Chapel + Cultural Center is home to a large art collection, much of which was collected by our founding pastor, Fr. Tom Phelan. Covering a span of nearly seven centuries, the C+CC’s art collection enhances our worship space, lounge, and chaplain’s residence.

We’re proud to share with you this small sampling of our collection.

1000 Cranes: These 1000 origami cranes, in the shape of a crane, were a project of the RPI Community Advocates, designed by Steve Egwele ’11. Based on a Japanese tradition that one who folded 1000 cranes would be granted one wish. Our wish is for peace.

Floor Alphabets: The alphabets (Hebrew, Greek, and Roman), designed by Edward M. Catich of Davenport, Iowa, and painted on the floor of the auditorium, give the room letters “which are the components of words which enable it to ‘speak’ to the people who use it.”

Milton Glaser Triptych: This Triptych (not on permanent display) is the work of Milton Glaser, American graphic artist best known for the “I ♡ NY” logo.

Oculus and spoil bank

Oculus: The Rose Window on the East wall of the auditorium features an unwinding spiral, suggesting the life/growth process. It was designed by Ade Bethune of Newport, and executed by Carl Paulson of Upton, Massachusetts.

Polychrome Pieta: This is 15th-century Spanish polychromed stone Pieta, on loan from Robert Petricca (RPI class of ’66) of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.a caption

Polychrome Crowning of Mary: “The Crowning of the Virgin”, an important piece of polychromatic 15th-century sculpture, given to the C+CC by Robert Petricca of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Sanctuary Crucifix: The corpus on the sanctuary’s crucifix was made by Nancy Price Carey of Benson, Vermont, and the crucifix itself was fabricated with William McLoughlin of Troy, a member of our Board of Trustees, a parishioner, and an RPI alumnus.

Tabernacle Area: Most of our liturgical furnishings– altar, ambo presider’s chair, chairs and kneelers by the tabernacle– are the work of renowned Japanese-American woodcarver George Nakashima Also in the tabernacle area: a Madonna and Child from American illustrator and author, Tomie dePaola.