Journey of Beauty
Art by the Sylvania Franciscan Sisters
Cover
August, 14, 1950
Sylvania Francisan Sisters in Santa Barbara workshop, working on designs for the ceiling tiles later installed in Duns Scotus Library.
Displayed for the first time in a public gallery, this body of work highlights the deep connection between faith, community, and artistic expression.
The Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, founded in 1916 by Mother M. Adelaide Sandusky, live in community as vowed religious women inspired by the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. Mother Adelaide believed that beauty reveals the Creator, and this belief continues to shape the Sisters’ way of life and creativity.
A talented artist herself, Mother Adelaide began a diverse collection of thousands of pieces of art from around the world that fill the hallways, corridors and landscape of the Sisters’ Motherhouse and Lourdes University campus.
Bowl of Red Roses, Oil on canvas, Mother M. Adelaide, c. 1905
1
Sister Margaret Hall, OSF 100th Anniversary Quilt 2016 Fiber 65” x 30”
2
Sister Helen Chmura, OSF Dove 1964
Ceramic on black walnut
40” x 19” x 11 1/2”
3
Sister Roselynn Humbert, OSF Welcome
c. 1990
Chipboard print on paper 12 1/4” x 12 1/4”
4
Sister Magdala, Davlin, OSF Annunciation 2016
Linocut print on paper 12” x 12”
5
Sister Ursula Jay, OSF Lillies
c. 1990
Watercolor on paper 26 1/4” x 19 1/4”
6
Sister Magdala Davlin, OSF St. Francis 2023
Ceramic and wood 24” x 8” x 7”
7
Sister Agneta Ganzel, OSF Mosque
c. 1985
Watercolor on paper 24 1/2” x 28 1/2”
8
Janet Snyder, OSF Assisi
c. 2000
Acrylic on paper diorama
21” x 28 1/4”
9
Sister Jane Mary Sorosiak, OSF Portiuncula
c. 2005
Watercolor on paper 20” x 24 1/2”
10
Sister Rosine Sobczak, OSF
Oriental Crane
c. 2000
Embroidery 23” x 15”
11
Sister Name, OSF
Sister Eileen Ripsin, OSF
Title
Date, Media
Within: Interior Chamber of a Nautilus Shell 2008
Photograph 12” x 14”
12
Sister Sheila Shea, OSF Bird in Hand
c. 1980
Photograph 17” x 14”
13
Sister Roselynn Humbert, OSF
Nativity
c. 1990
Chipboard print on paper 14” x 16 1/2”
14
Sister Sheila Shea, OSF
Succulent
c. 1980
Photograph 12 1/4” x 15 1/4”
15
Sister Michaeline Lesiak, OSF
Alleluia
c. 1970
Illustration on paper 35” x 25”
16
Sister Eileen Ripsin, OSF Nautilas 2020
Oxidized copper & mixed media sculpture
20” x 20” x 5”
Date, Media 17
Sister Name, OSF Title
Sister Rosine Sobczak, OSF A Winter’s Night
c. 2000
Crewel embroidery
18” x 14”
18
Sister Roselynn Humbert, OSF
Springshine
c. 1990
Screenprint on paper 9 1/2” x 11 1/2”
19
Sister Josephine Dybza, OSF
Haiti 2024
Acrylic on canvas 14” x 12”
20
Sister Sharon Havelak, OSF
Radiant Glow: Cosmic Mandala Series 2025
Colored pencil on paper 14” x 14”
21
Sister Sharon Havelak, OSF
Quiet Stillness: Cosmic Mandala Series 2025
Colored pencil on paper 14” x 14”
22
Sister Sharon Havelak, OSF Ever Expanding: Cosmic Mandala Series 2025
Colored pencil on paper 14” x 14”
23
Sister Magdala Davlin, OSF Hemingway’s Backyard 2017
Oil on canvas
24” x 18”
24
Sister Carol Hoffman, OSF The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi c. 1990, Cross-stitch
14” x 11”
25
Sister Sharon Havelak, OSF Three Deep 1990
Screenprint on paper 12” x 12”
26
Sister Jane Mary Sorosiak, OSF
Mother M. Adelaide Sandusky 1994
Acrylic on paper
69 3/4” x 27 1/2”
27
Sister Ruth Marie Kachelek, OSF San Damiano Design
c. 1960
Egg tempura on wood
20 1/2” x 14 1/2”
28
Sister Mary Peter Kaminski, OSF
Kyanite & Quartz Jewelry
c. 2010
Kyanite stone & quartz
29
Sister Sharon Havelak, OSF Blessings 1986
Screenprint on glass 15” x 12”
30
Sister Agneta Ganzel, OSF St. Francis in Ecstasy
c. 1975
Ceramic 12” x 10” x 7”
31
Sister Rosine Sobczak, OSF
Iris with Butterfly 2000
Needlepoint
23 1/4” x 26 1/2”
Sister Agneta Ganzel, OSF
Maumee Shore
c. 1980
Watercolor on paper
27” x 21” 32
33
Sister Josephine Dybza, OSF
Bittersweet
c. 2000
Graphite on paper
30” x 24”
Sister Barb Vano, OSF
Hope
c. 2019
Photography
20” x 16” 34
35
Sister Magdala Davlin, OSF
Dorothy Day 2023
Intaglio on paper
21” x 17”
36
Sister Agneta Ganzel, OSF
St. Francis & Gubbio
c. 1975
Watercolor on paper
20 1/4” x 26 1/4”
37
Sister Josephine Dybza, OSF Depression 2024
Acrylic on canvas 14” x 12”
38
Sister Barb Vano, OSF Streets of Assisi, Italy 2019
Photograph 18 1/4” x 21 1/4”
39
Sister Sharon Havelak, OSF Convergence 1983
Watercolor on paper 28 1/2” x 22 1/4”
40
Sister Mary Jane Sorosiak, OSF
Portrait of Mother
M. Adelaide, 1990
Graphite on paper 17” x 14”
41
Sister Barb Vano, OSF
St. Francis Basilica in Assisi, Italy 2019
Photograph 11 3/4” x 35 1/4”
Sister Agneta Ganzel, OSF
Sister Faith 1978
Watercolor on paper
21” x 17”
c. 1970 Ceramic vase 43
Sister Ruth Marie Kachelek, OSF Sante Fe
Sister Magdala Davlin, OSF Our Lady of Perpetual Help 2025 Ceramic mural on cement board
29 1/2” x 25 1/2”
Sister Michaeline Lesiak, OSF Fall Leaves
c. 1960 Mixed media
24” x 18”
46
Sister Janet Snyder, OSF Nesting
c. 2000 Oil on canvas
16” x 20”
Sister Helen Chmura, OSF St. Francis in Ecstasy with Birds
c. 1970 Oil on canvas
27” x 23” 47 42
48
Sister Sharon Havelak, OSF
Ascension 1979
Oil on canvas
29” x 29”
49
Sister Michaeline Lesiak, OSF
Lord, Make me an Instrument of Your Peace 1950
Photograph of original stained glass
31 1/2” x 26 1/2”
50
Sister Michaeline Lesiak, OSF Forgiving 1950
Photograph of original stained glass
31 1/2” x 26 1/2”
51
Sister Magdala Davlin, OSF First Violin 2016
Watercolor on paper
27” x 23”
52
Mother M. Adelaide Sandusky, OSF
Red Roses in Brass Bowl
c. 1905
Oil on canvas
27” x 38 1/2”
53
Sister Jane Mary Sorosiak, OSF
Arches & Chandeliers
c. 1974
Oil on canvas
36” x 24”
Sister Name, OSF Title Date, Media
54 Sister Jane Mary Sorosiak, OSF Stigmata c. 1971 Oil on canvas
56” x 36”
55
Sister Janet Snyder, OSF Arches c. 2000 Oil on canvas 37 1/2” x 25 1/2 “
56
Sister Janet Snyder, OSF Inquisitive Cat c. 2000 Oil on canvas
27” x 33”
57
Sister Magdala Davlin, OSF Mother M. Adelaide Sandusky 2018 Ceramic bust
17” x 14” x 12”
58
Sister Judy Zielinski, OSF Of Evergreens and Excellence 2024 Film 6:02 min.
59
Sister Eileen Ripsin, OSF Emerging 2024 Mixed media (on pedestal at center)
In Thanks
This exhibit came together with the help of many, beginning with our Chief People and Culture Officer Mechelle Zarou who had the vision to see the potential collaboration between the Sylvania Franciscan Artists and the Toledo Public Library.
We’re grateful to the library staff for sharing their beautiful space, and their prompt and efficient support as we brought the exhibit together.
A very special thanks to the Sylvania Franciscan Campus Art Committee for jurying the pieces, including: Sister Shannon Schrein, Sister Magdala Davlin, Sister Sharon Havelak, Patrick DuBreuil, Dr. Elizabeth Wise, and Christine Deemer.
And profound gratitude to Mother M. Adelaide Sandusky, whose love of God helped her create a culture of faith, kindness, joy, and love of beauty in NW Ohio.
With much thanks, Christine Deemer Art & Rare Book
Curator
Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH
Maegen Anders Cataloguing and Communications Assistant Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH
