From Inspiration to Illumination: An Introduction to 'The Saint John's Bible'

Northfield, Minn.—Tim Ternes, Executive Director of The Saint John’s Bible Project at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, will present “From Inspiration to Illumination: An Introduction to The Saint John’s Bible” on Monday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Carleton College Weitz Center for Creativity Cinema. This is a wonderful and rare opportunity to learn more about the conception, processes, tools, methods and materials used to make The Saint John’s Bible. Following the presentation, guests will have the opportunity to handle vellum and writing quills and to see full-size, beautifully-bound fine art reproductions of some of the pages of The Saint John’s Bible. This event is free and open to the public.

Called “one of the extraordinary undertakings of our time” by Smithsonian Magazine, The Saint John’s Bible is the first handwritten, illuminated Bible commissioned by a Benedictine Abbey in over 500 years. This monumental work in seven volumes was officially commissioned in 1998 and the final “Amen” of Revelations was penned in May of 2011 by calligrapher and artistic director, Donald Jackson, at his scriptorium in Wales. Replete with original art, including illuminations in gold, silver and platinum throughout, The Saint John’s Bible has been praised by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, saying “This is a work of art, a great work of art ... a work for eternity.” Ecumenical in its conception, the images draw from all major faith traditions, and include contemporary imagery, such as a view of earth from space, as well as more traditional images. For more information, visit www.saintjohnsbible.org.

This event is sponsored by the Northfield Public Library; the Friends and Foundation of the Northfield Public Library; the Carleton College Laurence McKinley Gould Library; the St. Olaf College Rolvaag Memorial Library; the Carleton College Chapel; and the Visualizing the Liberal Arts (Viz) Initiative at Carleton College, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

The Weitz Center for Creativity is located at 320 East Third Street in Northfield (site of the former Northfield Middle School). Parking is available on adjacent streets, except where prohibited. Direct access to the Cinema is from Union Street, across from the First United Church of Christ. For more information, including disability accommodations, contact Carol Eyler of the Gould Library at (507) 222-4268 or ceyler@carleton.edu.