Corita Art Center Executive Director Nelle Scott gives a talk at St. Paul’s Commons
Nellie Scott, executive director of the Corita Art Center, joined the Immaculate Heart Community at St. Paul’s Commons on Nov.15 for a lesson on the art, activism, and legacy of Corita Kent as part of their ongoing “Lunch and Learn” Series.
Through the lecture series, and in all their work, the Immaculate Heart Community, which is based at St. Paul’s Commons, seeks to create access to truth, equity, justice, and peace through spiritual development, arts, and education, to foster care for the earth and all beings, said Christine Monroe, vice president of the organization.
In her lecture Scott followed Kent’s art and artistic development, from Byzantine-inspired printmaker to cutting-edge pop artist, giving a central focus to the message of the works. Kent had joined the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart early in her life, and while the support gave her space for much of her artistic creation and teaching, leaving the order late in her life freed her to create her most explicitly political works. What never changed in her art, Scott said, even as the style did change, was that Kent’s work was always intended to inspire hope. “Hope is hard work,” Scott said. “You have to show up every day to make hope.
Nelle Scott displays Corita Kent’s artwork on a screen
The center continues Kent’s legacy of hope through its programs, which provide children with art kits and educational institutions with supplies and curriculums to make art accessible to all. Scott said that last year, the center distributed 600 art kits.
Like much of Kent’s work, the event itself was also mean to create hope and community, and encouraging people to get involved. Scott invited all to “Corita Day” on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Philosophical Research Society in Los Feliz for a day of family-friendly art making, readings and conversation, performance and film screenings. The center welcomes donations and sells art and merchandise to support its mission as it anticipates the move to a new location downtown, opening on March 8, 2025, International Women’s Day.
Learn more about the Corita Art Center and sign up for their mailing list here. The Immaculate Heart Community welcomes new members to their “Friends of the Heart” group of volunteers. Sign up for the list here.
Immaculate Heart Community also invites volunteers for “Laundry Love” on the 3rd Sunday of every month, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Luxe Laundry, 1448 N. Alvarado Street.
Learn more about upcoming events from the Immaculate Heart Community, including a Dec. 6 holiday boutique and Dec. 14 – 15 retreat with theologian Matthew Fox, and watch past “Lunch and Learn” lectures here.