The bishop of Auki, in the Solomon Islands, Chris Cardone, visited the Studio in 2014 while in New Zealand for a meeting of the Catholic Bishops of Oceania.

After consultation with the Studio about his hopes for a new cathedral, the Studio invited him to send two artists to gain training and experience in sacred art.

In early March, two artists from Auki, in the Solomon Islands spent some time at the Studio.

Liborio Maemauri and Stephen Maetora were sponsored by Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand to work at the Studio for three weeks to learn sculpture and iconography techniques.

They come from the island of Malaita in the Solomon Islands.

Both artists have already done work for their local churches.

Throughout the Solomon Islands new churches are being built which will need to be furnished with sacred art.

To achieve this, they will need high quality equipment and supplies, such as brushes, pigments, paper, sculpting and tools.

The Studio will continue to support the Malaita Studio with ongoing consultation and advice.

The are also asking for others to support the initiative.

To make a donation:
Online Banking:
Account number: 12-3072-0357838-000
Reference: Solomon
Cheques payable to: Studio of John the Baptist

All donations will go towards furnishing the new Studio of St John the Baptist in the Solomon Islands with the high quality equipment and resources they will need to produce excellent sacred art.

Source

• The Studio of John the Baptist
• Image: The Studio of John the Baptist

Begun in 2013 six months were spent cutting and sticking the glass Smalti with progress only slowly being made piece by piece. Click here to look at photographs of the mosaic

The mosaic was transported to Canada by air and road it was installed by artist Michael Pervan in late 2013.

Local craftsmen added the aged oregon timber frame according to Studio specifications and all was set for the blessing of the work held on 30^th January 2014, coinciding with the exact date of the founding of the Parish of St Joseph one hundred years ago.

Archbishop Richard Smith invoked God's blessing upon the Blessed Sacrament Mosaic surrounded by hundreds of Parishoners amidst a grand air of celebration.

The Studio of John the Baptist committed to the Image of the unseen God in the Icon of Christ and to the Sacred Mysteries connected with His Life, Death, and Resurrection.

They represent these mysteries through Sacred Art and Iconography.

Their work is commission based and graces Cathedrals, Parishes, Schools, Institutions, and family homes.

The studio, formed in 2005

Source

• The Studio of John the Baptist Newsletter
• Image: The Studio of John the Baptist