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Archived News
 Pope John Paul II
In this series of four etchings, Erica Grimm Vance has produced an eloquent testimony to the message and person of Karol Wojtyla-Pope John Paul II. In attempting to discover who the man is and what he stands for, her research has taken her to Munich and Rome, where in conversations with theologians and churchmen, reading the works of the present Pontiff and being pressed into the throng of eager pilgrims at a papal audience, she caught a glimpse of the depth of the man. She came away impressed by a man with a sense of mission and compassion, a man who is aware of his role as a symbol and desirous to communicate his message to the world. The series, rather then being a mere representation of the man Karol Wojtyla, is an aesthetic interpretation of his message and spirituality.
(For Thine is the Power, the Kingdom, and the Glory)
The title for this series of four original etching is "Our Father." The prayer that Jesus taught to his disciples is a fitting theme, for in it all Christian people, John Paul II included, join in praying that the work of the gospel may be done in the world. Four petitions from this prayer define the Pope's understanding of his message to the world, and form the titles of the individual prints in the series.
The series is printed on the fine museum paper, numbered and signed by the artist. The etchings were completed in 1984 and the set was presented to Pope John Paul II when he visited Canada in that year.
 Sign of Contradiction - Thy Will Be Done
Behold he is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and as a sign of contradiction". Luke 2:34
"Don't these words...bring together in a wonderful synthesis all that has the most profound impact on us and unceasingly perturbs us?... Might not these works be a distinctive definition of Christ and of his Church?" - Sign of contradiction, p.7,8.
These words from Karol Wojtyla's lenten meditations from Pope Paul VI in 1976 present Christ as a sign of opposition, as a symbol of confrontation - a sign that is spoken against and stands against our world. It is a sign that is contradicted by the anxiety and change of our times. It is a sign that is symbolized by the apocalyptic imagery of the nuclear bomb. In the cross all things are reconciled: in the bomb all is destroyed. The bomb is the unleashing of pure destructive power: the cross is suffering so death can be overthrown. The horrid yet seductive imagery of the bomb is blotted out and fades. For the reality symbolized in the cross John Paul II has striven and the people of God pray..."Thy will be done".
 Forgive Us As We Forgive
I spoke to him as a brother whom I have pardoned, and who has my complete trust." Pope John Paul II, concerning his would be assassin, Mehmet Ali Agca.
With these words John Paul II offered himself as a symbol of reconciliation as he forgave the man who made an attempt on his life. This image offers hope in bridging the contradictions of our world. We find the visual images of the Pope embracing a cardinal and face to face with the man who could kill him. Complementing these images of personal reconciliation are images of a sword being beaten into a ploughshare, and therein lies the contradiction that led to the Pope's symbolic gesture. We desire peace, but can we as societies and nations turn from war and vengeance if we as persons in relationship refuse to be reconciled to one another? - "Forgive us as we forgive."
 Pascal Mystery - Daily Bread
This image has at its heart another contradiction. We find juxtaposed beside a prayer for bread the harsh realities of preparations for war. We see bread being broken, in which the people of God remember and celebrate the Christ event. "Eucharist" means a giving of thanks, thanksgiving for spiritual food and sustenance, thanksgiving for bread that nourishes, and thanksgiving for the Bread of Life, who is broken for us. Yet, Jesus' call to love God and neighbor is mocked by the billions of dollars spent every year to produce war machines. Our idolatrous trust in armaments reveal our callousness to the poor and our standing against God's passionate call to put our faith in Him. "Some trust in chariots, some in horses, but we remember the name of our God". - "Give us this day our daily bread".
For Thine Is The Power, The Kingdom, And The Glory
John Paul II like his predecessor refused the traditional coronation with the papal tiara. In so doing he stressed his understanding of his mission as "the servant of God". This image reflects the central concern of all people who name themselves "Christian". This image celebrates the reality that the previous images reflect. The hope for a world that is reconciled, and reconciling lies in this ultimate reconciliation of contradiction: the abandoned Jesus is the triumphant Christ and because of this presence of God in our world, there is hope.
The theme of this image is celebration, of being awestruck witnesses of the triumph of the Crucified. The power of the resurrection tears free from the confines of the tomb, the terror of Good Friday brings forth the joy of Easter Sunday and we see upraised hands in worship as we pray...
"For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory". Amen.
If you would like to purchase these painting you can bid on ebay by clicking here.
Happy Centennial Alberta
 "A is Alberta: A Centennial Alphabet" was launch March 15th, 2005 at the Edmonton Art Gallery. Author Ken Tingley and artist RFM McInnis have captured the spirit of Alberta with descriptive writings of Alberta place names from A to Z, and 26 beautiful paintings of Provincial landmarks reproduced in color. To find out more information on this book from
Simple Truth Publications click here. You will need Adobe Reader to view this file, if you do not have it you can download it here. The Edmonton Journal also did a write up on the books release, to read this report online click here.
Happy Centennial Saskatchewan Painting!
 The original painting by Hans
Herold has been produced on canvas.
Hans Herold
is recognized
as one of
Saskatchewan's most
talented landscape
artists. Hans has painted
over 5000 Saskatchewan
landscapes.
The original painting by Hans
Herold has been produced on canvas. If you would like to see more information or print out the order form to buy the painting click here. You will need Adobe Reader to view this file, if you do not have it you can download it here.
 Happy Centennial Saskatchewan Book!
A wonderful way to celebrate Saskatchewan’s 100th birthday . . .
Beautiful poetry by David Bouchard chronicles
the history and heritage of our province. Partial proceeds of book sales go to The Leader-Post
Raise-a-Reader program, supporting children’s literacy in southern Saskatchewan. The book is on sale now; price of the book is $23.49, to find out more information click here. You will need Adobe Reader to view this file, if you do not have it you can download it here.
 On September 10, 2004, the book Happy Centennial
Saskatchewan had a dinner launching at the Hotel Saskatchewan,
The author is David Bouchard, a poet, writer, teacher and a
champion of literacy. David is the author of over two dozen
books, including the award winning If You’re Not From the Prairie with sales of this book reaching over 200,000 copies. What David has expressed in words Hans Herold has painted on canvas with fourteen Saskatchewan scenes reproduced in colour in the book. The author and the artist will be in attendance.
We are pleased to have the support of the Leader-Post and the Star-Phoenix as they participate in “Raise-a-
Reader”, an award winning national campaign that promotes reading to children at an early age. “Raise-a-
Reader” will share in proceeds from the sale of the book. Download the order form (PDF). You will need Adobe Reader to view, if you do not have it you can download it here.
Simplex Veritas review in
Western Catholic Reporter Click Here 
 Regina Sun Community News Report on John Kurtzs' book, Click
Here
 From Augsburg, A Canadian Authors & Interests Series report on Simplex Veritas The Simple Truth click here.
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