Juan Diego CHS adds three pieces to art collection

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Barbara Franz, a guest at Juan Diego Catholic High School's Dec. 8 Spirit Donorum dinner, is shown with the casting of Michelangelo's Head of David, produced by Arte Divine.

DRAPER — As part of its annual Spiritus Donorum Dinner, Juan Diego Catholic High School introduced three new art pieces that will be displayed on campus.

“When Mr. Skaggs gave the gift that created this beautiful school .... he requested that it be filled with beautiful art and original Catholic iconography,” said Student Body President Valeria Rico, who acted as master of ceremonies for the Dec. 8 event. “He believed that surrounding ourselves with beautiful art, in its many forms, would be inspirational and empowering. Over the past 21 years, this dinner has been used to present a new piece of art that has been placed on our campus.”

The first of the three pieces this year, a foundry casting of Michelangelo’s Pietà, is one of only 12 in the world. It was loaned to the school by Anthony and Randi Escobar and family from their personal collection.

“None of us have ever been able to walk up and touch the original sculpture to be able to truly appreciate the immense power and grace that Michelangelo was able to convey through his hands by this work,” Valeria said. “Here we can do that.”  

The second piece is a full-size casting of the head of David, from the original statue of the biblical figure created in marble between 1501 and 1504 by Michelangelo.

The third art installation is a casting of the Bruge Madonna, a lesser-known sculpture that Michelangelo carved circa 1503.

Each of the sculptures is fitted with an interactive sound journey that makes the art more accessible to those who are blind or visually impaired.

All of the pieces were brought to Juan Diego CHS through the school’s partnership with Arte Divine, a non-profit organization dedicated to placing castings of the Pietà and other sacred art in cathedrals, churches, hospitals and academic settings around the world. Through the program, private or corporate benefactors acquire the castings, then donate them to Catholic or educational institutions as legacy gifts.

Jennifer Diaz and Tyler Easter, members of the JDCHS Class of 2022, were presenters during the Spiritus Donorum Dinner. “We are very excited to be part of this project and we are grateful for our partnership with Arte Divine in bringing these pieces to our campus to be shared with the thousands who are able to see and touch them,” Easter said.

At the dinner, the Spiritus Donorum Award was presented to Mary McConnell, a curriculum consultant to Juan Diego CHS and a former teacher at the school. McConnell graduated from Michigan State University and Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar.

“Recipients of the award are individuals who have consistently and tirelessly given up their time, talents, and resources to make our campus a better place,” said Sophia Berrocal, a member of the Class of 2022.