BELMONT — Bliss Gallery, one of the four establishments in downtown Belmont run by the Holy Angels, recently opened a “Nature and Spirituality” exhibit showcasing the works of Holy Angels founders, the Sisters of Mercy.
Holy Angels, a non-profit that serves 80 differently abled residents who require 24-hour specialized care and medical treatment, is known for the creative blend of signature sweet served up at the Cotton Candy Factory and the chicken salad croissant at Cherubs Cafe. But they also have Bliss Gallery on Main, where they sell resident-made art and display work from other artists.
They are featuring a new exhibit which will remain open until Feb. 26 and has on display more than 15 pieces created by the Sisters of Mercy.
As Gallery Curator and Director of Creative Arts, Gaye Dimmick, who worked on the Sisters exhibit for a year, explained, “I just provided this empty canvas, and they provided all the artwork.”
The artwork was taken from the Mercy Heritage Center in Belmont, where it is housed. The center serves as an archive where documents, pictures, art and the history of the 2,200 Sisters of Mercy from across the country stay in safekeeping.
The sisters have had artwork displayed in hospitals, convents, schools, and churches all over the world. Each piece in this exhibit was created using different materials, including small glass mosaic tiles, felt canvas, watercolors and pastels, and features natural subjects including sand dunes, butterflies, cardinals and water.
“Sometimes I feel like the art gallery is an outreach for Holy Angels, because a lot of people who come in have no idea what Holy Angels is, so it is an opportunity to tell them who we are,” Dimmick said. “And the Holy Angels story started with the Sisters of Mercy.”
Alongside the sister’s work sits a pastel sunflower and an abstract watercolor by Holy Angels’ residents. The angels' work is always for sale, as Dimmick works side-by-side or does hand-over-hand art therapy with the Holy Angels residents to create new pieces.
As Samantha Story, chief communications officer, explained, “For our residents, this is another form of expression for them. This is a way for them to put their thoughts and feelings out into the world to be seen, and I think that is so beautiful.”
Their silk scarves, candles, cards, and other creations are available at restaurants and stores throughout Belmont, but Dimmick, who is also a spiritual director and chaplain for the Holy Angels, views Bliss Gallery as sacred ground.
“‘Oratio per Visum’ means ‘prayer by seeing’ in Latin. Sometimes I see this as a chapel, like this is a holy place, and the art can bring you to prayer,” Dimmick said.
— Lisa M. Geraci
Visit the exhibit
What: Nature and Spirituality Exhibit by Sisters of Mercy and Holy Angel residents Where: Bliss Gallery, 25 N Main St, Belmont, NC 28012
When: Through Feb. 26.
