Photo by Nina LiwagA large-scale version of Sister Corita’s Yes #3

• Name: Passion for the Possible: The Work of Sister Corita
• Date: Saturday, February 14, 2009
• Location: Cal State Northridge Art Galleries
• Who was there: Geoff McFetridge, Flea, show curator Aaron Rose, Lavender Diamond’s Becky Stark with her all ladies choir that included Frankie Rayder, Emily and Theresa from Warpaint; Diva from
  Black Black, tons of students and friends of Sister Corita.
• What was served: Apple Cider and Rainy Day Pastries

I was lucky enough this past rainy Valentine’s Day to bask in the warmth of some Sister Corita love. Passion for the Possible: The Work of Sister Corita is the exquisitely curated retrospective of Sister Corita Kent’s serigraph work on display through April 4th at CSUN’s Main Art Gallery in the Northridge community of Los Angeles.

Meandering through the front room, I started to realize the great skill of guest curator, Aaron Rose. The pieces are arranged in a virtual timeline along the wall, making clear the progression of Kent’s artistic vision. The work itself is stunning, ranging from the portrayal of deeply Catholic iconography to Sister Corita’s own prototype for Samsonite luggage to her strong social commentary that was expressed in her later collage work.

Photo by Nina LiwagAn early Sister Corita print

Photo by Nina LiwagA more progressive print

Gallery visitors were fortunate enough to witness the impact of the work that surrounded them through the eyes of three different filmmakers. Among them is curator Aaron Rose whose Becoming a Microscope - 90 Statements on Sister Corita is part of the program for the Flux Screening Series at the Hammer Museum on Wednesday, February 25th. It is a must see for anyone who has been to the art show or is planning on going.

Photo by Nina LiwagGallery visitors watch short films on an ancient Quasar TV set

So, what would a day full of Sister Corita be without a little serigraph action? A small workshop was set up in the back of the gallery where guests could screen their own little Valentine boxes. Sweet.

Photo by Nina LiwagA handmade Valentine’s Day box - Sister Corita-style

At the close of the opening, guests were treated to a heavenly performance by an all ladies choir, dressed to the nines and seriously rockin’. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay for the whole set but thoroughly enjoyed their performance of Yoko Ono’s “Sisters, O Sisters.”

Photo by Nina LiwagThe Ladies Choir, led by Lavender Diamond’s Becky Stark

As I made my way back to my car, I couldn’t help but put a little spring in my step and hum a little tune… “O sisters, o sisters, let’s wake up right now, It’s never too late to shout from our hearts…”