Part of the mission of the Verostko Center for the Arts at Saint Vincent College is to feature work that exists at the nexus of art and spirituality, according to curator Andrew Julo.

Two new exhibits, “People of the Book & the Storyboard” and “The Hoods Series,” explore that connection in different ways.

Showcasing contemporary Jewish graphic novels, “People of the Book & the Storyboard” assembles a dozen projects that visually recount stories from the Bible, Rabbinic writings, the Passover Haggadah and personal biography – principally, first-person narratives from the Holocaust.

Works were selected for their ability to balance tradition with innovation.

“This exhibit aims to celebrate the terrific work enacted on behalf of Jewish artists and authors who use innovative techniques to tell ancient or difficult-to-discuss stories in ways that prompt our reconsidering,” Julo said. “Within an academic context, it’s important our students are coming in contact with the myriad of ways people of faith recount seminal stories.

“Last week’s attack on the synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, and at Tree of Life (in Pittsburgh) in 2018 reiterate that antisemitism is not a prejudice relegated to a distant past,” he said.

Visitors can view printed selections from each book, and peruse copies in a reading area within the gallery.

Combating stereotypes

Tara Lamourt, a professional artist and longtime educator at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, N.J., created a series of portraits of her students for “The Hood Series.” The portraits are intended to combat harmful stereotypes and racial profiling that have resulted in the brutality and murder of young men of color.

Lamourt’s subjects wear a black hoodie, part of the uniform for seniors at St. Benedict’s Prep that recalls the monastic habit worn by the Benedictines of Newark Abbey, who sponsor the school. Select artifacts from the history of St. Benedict’s and Newark Abbey complement Lamourt’s work.

“At a time when racist stereotypes and classist characterizations have often culminated in violence and murder, Lamourt’s portraits serve as a crucial invitation to recognize young men of color as neighbors brimming with promise, instead of adversaries,” Julo said. “Historically, Black and Brown adolescents have rarely been the subject of academic painting, and Lamourt’s ongoing series assists in addressing that tremendous omission.

“Additionally, I hope visitors will also gain an appreciation for St. Benedict’s Prep, which is really a national leader in urban education,” he said.

The simultaneous showing of the two exhibits was largely incidental, Julo said, although both “celebrate the dedicated work of artists who’ve invested in their communities.”

Two virtual events also will complement the exhibit.

Art historian Samantha Baskind and artist JT Waldman will discuss “Stories of Purpose: The Legacy of Jews and Comics” at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10. Nina Caputo, associate history professor at the University of Florida, will discuss her book, “Debating Truth: A Graphic Novel on Medieval Catholic-Jewish Dialogue,” at 3 p.m. Feb. 23.

The exhibit and related programs are sponsored by Saint Vincent College, the Verostko Center and Steel Tree, a fund of the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh.

Both exhibits run through March 11 in the center on the second floor of the Dale P. Latimer Library on the Unity campus. Hours are 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and 1-7 p.m. Thursdays.

For more information, to receive Zoom links to the virtual programs or to make an appointment outside the center’s normal hours, email verostkocenter@stvincent.edu. The center’s website is verostkocenter.org.

Visitors are required to wear masks while inside and to maintain social distancing protocols.

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