Crucifixion! Epic New Bronze Art by Timothy Schmalz coming to Menlo Park

Announcing: Timothy Schmalz, whose next project is an International series of Stations of the Cross, has Chosen Vallombrosa Retreat Center in Menlo Park as the site of the Twelfth Station of the Cross: The Crucifixion.

Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz thinks big. His epic bronze statues on classic Christian themes are winning new audiences internationally. His latest project "The Stations of the Cross" will lay a string of Stations of the Cross from Ontario, Canada to the California coast, creating a new international pilgrimage trail for the faithful and art-lovers alike.

Join us August 21 at 3 pm (Pacific) at Vallombrosa, the Menlo Park retreat center, where the internationally renowned Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz will announce his choice of Vallombrosa to house the Twelfth Station of the Cross: the Crucifixion. Hear the sculptor talk about continuing the Catholic tradition of epic bronze sculpture. Visit the site of what will become an international site of pilgrimage. Hospitality and fellowship will follow so you can meet the artist and your fellow art-lovers.

Please register today to attend this in-person event. Registration is free, although we ask for a donation of $25 from those who can reasonably afford it. Patrons of the arts have already contributed the $1 million plus in funds for the sculpture itself and its transportation from Canada Vallombrosa is seeking help with the cost of preparing the site installation.

About Timothy Schmalz

Timothy Schmalz's best known sculpture is "Homeless Jesus," which depicts Jesus wrapped in a blanket on a park bench, nameless and faceless, with only the holes in his feet indicating that in the presence of the homeless we see the Son of God. The original is now at the St. Paul's Cathedral in Buffalo New York (the center of the Episcopal church there). Other casts are, or have been installed, in St. Peter's Square in Rome, at Regis College, the Jesuit School of Theology at the University of Toronto, St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Davidson, North Carolina, downtown Detroit, Charleston, West Virginia, Catholic Charities of Chicago, the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. , The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, Catholic Charities in Oklahoma City, Father Woody's Haven of Hope in Denver, Nelson Mandela Place in Glasgow (Scottland), the gardens of the Church of Our Lady and St. Nicholas in Liverpool, St. James United Church in Montreal.

The latest installation, in April of 2022 took place at the Manila Cathedral where it was unveiled and blessed by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula on Palm Sunday.

Timothy Schmalz's bronze "Angels Unaware," which depicts refugees from many cultures, takes its theme from Hebrews 13:2: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" was the first sculpture installed in St. Peter's Square since Bernini, by Pope Francis in 2019 for the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. After a national tour, "Angels Unaware" was installed on the campus of the Catholic University in Washington, DC in fall of 2021.[16]

Other notable sculptures by Timothy P. Schmalz include "Life monument" a Madonna with Child depicting the Baby Jesus in utero, and "Mary, Untyer of Knots," and a "Last Supper" that invites the viewer to sit at the table with Jesus Christ.

"I am devoted to creating artwork that glorifies Christ. The reason for this devotion, apart from my Christian beliefs, is that an artist needs an epic subject to create epic art," says Timothy Schmalz, "I describe my sculptures as being visual prayers."

This is a major art event happening. Come and be a part of it. Register here to help us plan for the hospitality after. The event is free but as always we ask for donations if you can reasonably afford it. Come and be refreshed.

This event is cosponsored by the Vallombrosa Retreat Center and the BenedictInstitute.org.

Host or Publisher Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music & Divine Worship