Page 17 - Br. Chapman :: Opening the Gift

Iona University

An Art Council was formed at Iona extensive collection of unsold Chapman cbartfoundation.art presents forty nine
through the inspiration and dynamism art works as well as the copyrights on of Brother Chapmans works gathered
of Mrs. JoAnn Murphy. While cognizant all his creative works. Getting a grip in groups of seven under the themes:
of the many arts to be promoted in the on the extensive holdings, Brother CREATION, JEWISH SCRIPTURE, LIFE OF
New Rochelle area, she had a particular Chapman’s as well as the works of other CHRIST, BIRCHES AND LANDSCAPES,
enthusiasm for the work of Brother Christian Brother artists, remains a BRIDGES AND SEASCAPES, NATIVE
Chapman. She and her husband work in progress. AMERICAN SPIRIT AND MARIAN
Mr. Joseph Murphy commissioned THEMES. The categories while not
Chapman’s Life of St. Joseph, now on To date the foundation has inventories fully inclusive of the artist’s diverse
permanent exhibit in the library of the of several subsets of the corpus: the engagements, suggest a start to the
major seminary of the Archdiocese of paintings in the corridors, offices and classification and scholarship the major
New York in Dunwoody, Yonkers. They gathering centers at Iona University, opus merits. It also features the digital
also were major contributors to the the works on display in the various version of Brother McGuire’s publication:
construction of the Brother Kenneth Christian Brother residences and CHAPMAN Teacher and Artist.
Chapman Gallery on North Avenue in schools around North America, the
New Rochelle. The building, once a archives of the Edmund Rice Christian The Foundation works to promote the
destination shop for women’s fashion Brothers North American Province in artwork of Br. Chapman with occasional
was completely restructured and New Rochelle and Chicago, and other exhibits. It also sponsors an annual
enhanced as a facility with a dance collections in Rome, Ireland, Australia, GALLERY OF STUDENT ART and MUSIC,
studio, classrooms, and a major exhibit and Jerusalem, as well as several featuring the works of young artists
area. Since Mrs. Murphy’s untimely private collections. Replacement value from the schools of the Edmund Rice
death, the center housing the Chapman appraisals by MIR Appraisal Services, Network in the Americas.
Gallery has been rededicated as the Inc. of Chicago on but a sample of the The occasional sale of a painting serves
JoAnn Murphy Arts Center. works in New Rochelle and Chicago have as a means of sustaining the collections
raised consciousness of the significant
Mrs. Murphy’s foresight was evident in economic value of the collection. and opening to new generations the
the establishment of the Edmund Rice Chapman gift.
Christian Brothers Art Foundation, Ltd. A dedicated website offers an introduction
The non-profit corporation owns the to the work of Brother Chapman and
other Christian Brother artists. www.