In March of 2010 the Art and Liturgical Environment Committee began discussions on how to improve the appearance of our Confessionals in the Chapel of Our Lady, Queen of the Americas. The lighting was too bright, the prie dieu in the 2 Confessionals did not match, penance prayers on strips of paper littered the area, and the blank walls seemed stark. 

Several steps have been taken to address the issues. Our maintenance staff reduced the lighting. D. Hazinski built a coordinated prie dieu.  M. Romp created laminated English and Spanish prayer cards, and the committee investigated art to alleviate the starkness of the walls.

Early on, it was decided that a tapestry would create a sense of warmth in the confessionals. A North Carolina artist was chosen: Victoria H. Sowers, a Fiber Artist at Sandy Creek Weavers in Rocky Mount. Victoria and her mother, Emily, weave on a 200 year old loom and give classes in North Carolina showcasing weaving techniques. www.sandycreekweavers.com 

The artist met with the committee, photographing the chapel and confessionals, providing colors samples, design ideas, and yarn samples. The weavings were produced on a hand loom.

Sets of 3 panels are mounted in each Confessional, related in color but not identical. The inspiration for the weaving comes from natural landscapes drawing the eye upwards. The tapestries were blessed on June 9, 2011, and you can view them at any time. Especially on Saturdays during the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 3:30-4:45pm.