Mary Anne Caplinger
Liturgical Art
My path in making art for Worship Spaces began in 1988 when The Episcopal Church held its General Convention in Detroit at Cobo Hall. I was commissioned to make hangings for the main altar and ten auxiliary altars in the seating area. Since then I’ve been privileged to work with several clergy and church committees to enhance the visual component of their services. These galleries will show some of the results of those collaborations. (Click on images for slideshow)
Episcopal General Convention
Cobo Hall, Detroit MI
The Convention logo and theme along with the design used for the chalices and patens inspired the hand painting and stitchery for the main altar cloth. Ten smaller altars were positioned throughout the seating areas. The four-sided altar cloths continued the theme of the Convention.
After the convention, these altar cloths were purchased by individual parishes. Calvary Episcopal Church, Fletcher, NC then commissioned a stole and paraments to coordinate with the altar cloth.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Pentecost
Wilkesboro, NC
Altar panels of hand dyed silk habotai, woven, machine embroidered and quilted, illustrate the Bible story. It begins on the left side, with dark purple reflecting the uncertainty of the apostles awaiting inspiration. The bright colors in the center panel form a dynamic background for the descending dove. The panel on the right side continues the story as the apostles carry the Light into the world, a fulfilling but often dangerous mission.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Advent
Wilkesboro, NC
In the Sarum tradition, blue is used during Advent for vestments and altar hangings. Panels of hand dyed silk noil are appliqued with words from a traditional Advent hymn.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Lent
Wilkesboro, NC
In the Sarum tradition for Lent, vestments and altar hangings are made of sackcloth with minimal embellishment. Elongated triangles refer to the crown of thorns and the nails on the cross. The theme continues for Holy Week with a change in ground color to dark red.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Easter
Wilkesboro, NC
A collection of white fabrics was pieced together for the background of the altar hangings. At a distance, the cloth appears to be one color. A closer look reveals various patterns and colors, representing the diverse viewpoints found in the Episcopal Church. The center medallion features a Canterbury Cross, symbol of Canterbury Cathedral, Mother Church of the Anglican Communion. In the center of the Cross are doorposts and lintel, sprinkled with blood, symbols of the Passover, which is remembered in the celebration of the Eucharist.
St. John's Episcopal Church - Pentecost
Jackson, WY
Hand dyed cottons, which graduate from deep brown-red to yellow, represent the “tongues of fire” and a sense of dynamic renewal of the Christian mission of evangelism begun by the Apostles.
St. John's Episcopal Church - Advent
Jackson, WY
Hand dyed silk noil, in liturgical colors of blue and purple, reflects the mood of quiet anticipation. The design, based on a quilt block known as Log Cabin, was influenced by the architecture of the new church and the historic chapel on the grounds.
St. John's Episcopal Church - Lent
Jackson, WY
Against a subdued background representing humble sackcloth, the cross is expressed in
layers of black tulle covered with rows of stitching and surrounded by bands of dark red and purple. The image, symbolic of ashes, is recognizable, yet not clearly defined.
St. John's Episcopal Church - Easter
Jackson, WY
White vestments are worn for the joyous feasts of Easter, Christmas and other important festival days during the year. A yoke woven of various white silks accents the white wool chasuble. Appliques of Indian Paintbrush, the Wyoming state flower, embellish the woven background of the stole and bands on the cope
Church of the Transfiguration
Moose, WY
For this historic Chapel, situated in the Teton National Park, off-white textured fabrics were used in a collage format to coordinate with the rustic interior.
A large window behind the altar frames a view of the Grand Tetons.
Simple embroidery stitches on the altar cloth, stole, burse and pulpit fall highlight a cross and images of native flora and fauna.
St. George Espiscopal Church
Newport News, VA
A white silk frontal complements the newly updated interior of the church. Flowing waves stitched with gold thread reference the light colors in the stained glass windows. Each liturgical season is marked by a change in the center medallion.
Northern Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Wyoming, OH
The stole and three lectern hangings were commissioned as a gift celebrating the Installation of the Reverend Bruce Russell-Jayne as Minister. The stole is hand dyed silk habotai, woven and quilted, and appliqued with the symbol of chalice and flame. The lectern hangings are hand dyed silk noil, quilted and embellished with the symbol of the flame.
First United Methodist Church
North Wilkesboro, NC
Radiance
“Your word is a lamp unto
my feet and a light unto
my path.”
Ps. 119
The flame is a visual representation of the
light guiding our daily journey along that path.
The words painted in the border form what
is known in United Methodism as the
Wesleyan Quadrilateral.
Honoring his Anglican heritage, John Wesley described Scripture, Reason and Tradition
as principal components of the Christian faith.
He added Experience to these three to form the foundation for United Methodist worship and service.
A woven pattern of hand dyed silk strips echoes
the square windows and doors of the Faith Center. Flowing lines of machine quilting with rayon and metallic threads follow the curve of the flame.
St. Andrew Catholic Church
Rochester, MI
“No Greater Love”
When the Jubilee Chapel was added to St. Andrew Church in 1988, I was commissioned to design a memorial to American service men and women who had served our country in time of war.
Parish members were invited to donate medals, patches and uniforms, which were incorporated into the hanging. Historic photos were transferred to fabric, and scenes from Arlington Cemetery were hand painted to complete the story. The hand painted border recreates blocks from an historic quilt made for soldiers during World War II. The hanging, 5’ x 10,’ is mounted in the hallway linking the Chapel and the main Church.
St. Mary of the Hills Catholic Church
Rochester Hills, MI
When the church was built in 1989, the pastor, Father Strain, requested a dramatic interpretation of the Stations of the Cross to complement the bold architecture of the new building. The tapestries, each 4’ x 12,’ feature a hand dyed silk background with stylized depictions of each scene. Mounted on opposing walls, the tapestries are part of a collection of unique, handmade furnishings in the chapel.
Stoles and Vestments
Individuals and congregations often commission a stole to mark a special occasion in the life of their clergy. Following are some examples of Priest’s and Deacon’s stoles made for weddings, ordinations or installation of a new ministry.