In every man lives the heart of a boy, an innocent child.
Even in the esteemed personage of 81-year-old Father Maur van Doorslaer, the
artist-in-residence at St. Andrews Abbey in Valyermo. It didn’t take much
encouragement for the nimble van Doorslaer to show off one of his model cars
on the floor of his studio where he is busy creating his world-famous ceramic
plaques and collectibles.
The Benedictine monk is also known for his white on white fine art paintings
and drawings which he creates at his monastery in Sint Andries Abdij, Zevenkerken
in Brugge, Belgium.
“It is a very modern style,” said Tim Benedict, the operations
manager for St. Andrew’s ceramics. “It doesn’t appeal to a
lot of Americans.”
What does appeal, though, is the ceramic art that van Dorslaer has created
for the abbey since 1965. He spends five months (May to October) a year designing
ceramics in the high desert at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains.
The iconic figures, with their signature wide-open eyes, were inspired by
Mexican and folk art. He calls these simplistic designs “cookies” because
they reminded him of the Saint Nicholas cookies given to children in Belgium.
A few of the plaques have different shaped eyes than the unique round ones
found on the angels. “If we know what someone looked like in real life
then we try to make that plaque more realistic, like the one of Pope John Paul
II,” said Benedict.
Van Doorslaer’s sense of humor is evident in some of his creations such
as “Jesus in a Jeep” or the group of angels playing cards.
There are Madonnas, occupational angels, saints, musicians and sports angels
and special plaques commemorating unique events, such as a wedding or a retirement.
Benedict said “We make more saints that anybody else in the world.”
The ceramics studio at the abbey has about 500 designs and creates 40,000
to 50,000 pieces a year. There are 900 retailers from Canada to England that
carry the line, plus mail order and internet sales.
The youthful monk designs all the the ceramics and carves the original molds.
Workmen apply the clay to the mold and cut it out by hand. It is fired once,
painted one color at a time then fired again at a higher temp.
Fall Festival
This year marks the 51st anniversary of St. Andrews Abbey’s Fall
Festival near Valyermo and is one of the finest arts and crafts festivals in
Southern California. It will be held September 27 & 28, 2008
http://www.imagetrend.com/standrewsabbey/default.cfm?PID=1.9
In addition to the ceramic art of Father Maur van Doorslaer, the work of one
of St. Andrew’s founding monks Father Werner Papiens de Morchoven will
also be available. There will be a host of artists and craftsmen displaying their
wares and creations as well as a market selling fine olive oils, local honey
and free trade coffees. Gift baskets containing coffee and mugs or olive oil
and accoutrements will be available for $15 to $45.
Roving entertainers, mimes and clowns will provide the fun as they stroll
the festival grounds during the weekend. Don’t miss the ever popular Nuns
for Fun.
The Festival begins on Saturday with the Opening Mass at 9 am. Preceding this
Mass, & on Sunday, is the Dance Prayer and the Abbot’s Blessing of
the Festival grounds, the exhibitors & the volunteers.
Admission to the festival is free. Parking is $5.
St. Andrew’s Abbey
Founded in 1956 by nine Benedictine monks who were exiled from China, the monastery
now accommodates over twenty members and opens its doors to others.
“We are a monastery that has a Retreat Center for people who want to enjoy
the peace, silence, and rhythm of life of the monks who follow the Rule of St.
Benedict.”
There are weekday retreats — both overnight and day only; weekend retreats — both
private and groups, as well as days of reflection (Tuesdays through Thursdays).
The monks offer spiritual counseling, a Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation,
program directors on specific topics for your group, preached retreats and silent,
non-directed retreats.
