Faith and Healing Explored at ‘Everyday Miracles’ Art Exhibit

A special exhibit that presents examples of the ex-votos tradition of devotional art will be open to the campus community and the public beginning next week.

Everyday Miracles: Medical Imagery in Ex-Votos, a traveling exhibit from The National Library of Medicine (NLM), will be hosted by Gumberg Library from Monday, June 23 through Saturday, Aug. 2, on the library’s fifth floor during normal operating hours.

The art of “ex-votos” (the Latin phrase which means votive offering) illustrates the relationship between prayer and healing through devotional paintings. Everyday Miracles is a representation of how the faithful give thanks for a healing or blessing and, according to the NLM, offers a rare opportunity to view health, healing and illness through the hearts and minds of the ordinary person.

The exhibit’s interdisciplinary nature, which examines the intriguing intersection of medicine, art and faith, reflects that of Duquesne. In addition to students, faculty and staff in the health sciences, theology and art history as well as in English, history, modern languages, philosophy and communication, the exhibit should appeal to the interest of the Catholic community at large.

To introduce the exhibit, a special Lunch and Learn will be held on Monday, June 30, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Beverages and cookies will be provided. Attendees may bring a bag lunch. In addition, a panel discussion related to ex-votos, featuring faculty members from the School of Nursing and the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, will be held on Thursday, July 17, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Both events will be held on the library’s fifth floor.

Visit Gumberg’s Everyday Miracles webpage for more information about ex-votos, the exhibit and educational events at the library. For visitor information or group reservations, call 412.396.6130.