Kura

Artworks by Richard Bresnahan, Mary Bruno, and Jeff Thompson

In August 2020, the sculpture Kura: Prophetic Messenger by SJU Artist-in-Residence Richard Bresnahan became the first permanent installation of the Jon Hassler Sculpture Garden, located outdoors between Alcuin Library and the Dietrich Reinhart Learning Commons. Abbot John Klassen, OSB, dedicated and blessed the sculpture on October 22, 2021. The sculpture is accompanied by the publication Kura: Prophetic Messenger, a 224-page volume chronicling the ideation, resourcing, and creation of the artwork and its interior contents.

Inside the sculpture are the “three sisters” seeds (corn, squash, and beans) symbolizing the cultivation of community health across generations. These seeds are stored in ceramic containers by Bresnahan along with a series of artist writings. Additionally, the Kura houses a letterpress and linocut scroll of The Rule of Saint Benedict by artist Mary Bruno depicting the early agrarian history of the founding monastic communities of CSB and SJU. The scrolls are held in place using a scroll support and display stand made by local woodworker Jeff Thompson.

– Steven Lemke

Exhibit Details

Now on display through December 17th, 2021 at Alcuin Library, SJU.

The Rule of Saint Benedict Scroll

A video on the letterpress and linocut scroll of The Rule of Saint Benedict created by Mary Bruno.

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