The Way of the Cross
Christians celebrate the season of Lent for forty days preceding Easter. It is a time of penitence, reflection, prayer, and soul searching.
The Stations of the Cross or The Way of the Cross is a devotional commemoration to help the faithful make a spiritual pilgrimage of prayer, by meditation upon the chief scenes of Christ’s sufferings, death, and burial (referred to as The Passion.)
This practice dates back to early Christians who made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to follow the footsteps of Christ to the cross. Believers paused at each significant locale where the fourteen Biblical scenes occurred, to pray and reflect.
We were commissioned by the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago to make floor tiles depicting crosses for the chapel. The tiles themselves are not the actual Stations of the Cross but architecturally plot the Stations on the floor.
Before the 1st Station- The Greek letter Alpha indicates the place of Introduction.
Anchor Cross – Christian Hope
St. Andrew’s Cross – Humility
Crutch Cross – Christ’s Healing
Latino Cross – Suffering
Jerusalem Cross – Christ’s Sacrifices
Greek Cross – Christianity
Russian Cross
Triparted Cross
Ethiopian Cross
Tau-Advent Cross
Universal Cross
Chi-Rho Greek Christ
Raised Cross on Earth on Seeds
St. Peter’s Cross Inverted
Omega defines the station of conclusion to the devotion.
Happy Easter!
Happy Passover!
Happy Spring!
A Fine Art Approach to Fundraising and Donor Recognition
As defined by Merriam-Webster, inspiration is a divine influence, action, or power of moving the intellect or emotions.
Art inspires. There is no denying that art communicates, makes us think, touches our souls, and stirs our emotions.
We design donor recognition using imagery that depicts our clients’ history, environment, cultural viewpoints, community, and their donors. We aim for a “wow” reaction: to simultaneously draw in the viewer, deepen roots, honor pride of place, inspire giving, and acknowledge donors.
Leonardo Da Vinci said, “Art is the queen of all sciences communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world.”
Fundraising involves scientific and artistic thinking – the science of fundraising concerns strategy, statistics, tracking, and amassing data.
The art of fundraising involves touching the heart.
No one makes a significant donation for a tax deduction. There are reasons why people care about specific organizations and these reasons involve heartfelt connections.
Artwork that connects to these emotions motivates giving.
Not a typical donor wall – St. Mary’s mission and vision reflect its Lasallian Catholic identity, building upon the past and providing direction for the future. Inspired by Gregorian Chant Books, the three open books contain the donor names sandblasted into the pages. The books rest on an altar made of indigenous stone with a ceramic altar cloth containing Catholic and educational symbols.
Installed in 1998 this donor recognition remains a “silent fundraiser”, continuing to inspire gifts.
A Sense of Place
Psychologists believe that attachment to a place establishes an emotional and cognitive bond, leading to a sense of security and community.
Our donor walls, gifts, and awards are designed to evoke a sense of place and acknowledge the emotional connection between the nonprofit and the community it serves. We collaborate extensively with staff, volunteers, and donors to find the right imagery to spark that connection.
Our goal is to elicit a “wow” reaction that captivates the viewer, strengthens the roots of the community, fosters a sense of pride, and inspires people to give.
Langlade Hospital, Antigo, WI, commissioned this donor wall to recognize those who funded the new cancer care and treatment center. The columns depict the riverfront park area, adjacent to the hosipat, in Spring & Fall. The focal point is the meandering LeRoyer Memorial Walkway path – suggesting a symbolic journey. The column bases feature roots and leaves suggesting local roots. The capitals depict the rising sun – symbolic of hope. There are many details featured that are clearly recognizable to the community.
This donor wall was commissioned by Kulanu Academy, Cedarhurst, NY, an organization providing education and social services to all people with disabilities. Their mission involves connecting these frequently marginalized people with the entire community. The building in the background depicts important local landmarks – the neighborhood park, the firehouse, prominent synagogues, and the Kulanu building. The silhouetted figures, adapted from Kulanu’s logo, represent this spirit of inclusiveness.
This donor wall was commissioned by Mishkan Shalom, Manayunk, PA, to honor contributors to their capital campaign. The imagery depicts the outdoor amphitheater and Holocaust Memorial on the property.
Our custom gifts & awards create a visual identity of that place for the recipient.
New Year’s Resolutions 2024
People are motivated to set new goals every year, make positive changes, and declare their New Year’s resolutions. Many think about hitting the gym or getting organized, but as a creative person, you may have different goals.
If you’re seeking a catalyst to infuse more creativity into your routine, why not sign up for ceramic coaching with me?
Do you have a ceramic tile project in mind? No problem, everyone has to start somewhere! So even if your resolution list consists of large-scale projects, try a small one. You’ll be encouraged to bring it to completion.
Try a 2-hour workshop, relax, play in clay, learn something new, and finish a tile! Then you can take on that backsplash, a garden mural, or whatever ceramic idea you can imagine.
Remember a good beginning makes a good ending, so January is a great time to start!
Wishing everyone success with their New Year’s resolutions.
And That’s a Wrap
The year’s end always brings fond memories and a tremendous sense of accomplishment. What a year!
This year we celebrated thirty-two years in the business of creating ceramic tile art that inspires and engages donors. In addition to murals, we created custom awards and gift plaques recognizing donors, volunteers and board members.
We created some extraordinary exterior architectural tiles that provide ornamentation, signage, and wayfinding.
As usual, we have had students for Ceramic Coaching in the studio. We held clay workshops, encouraging participants to stretch their creative muscles! A series of “touchstone” team building workshops for participants to “Remember Why” they do what they do!
As with previous years and schools, we offered an internship to a student from Moore College of Art & Design.
Thank you all for your continued support and we look forward to what 2024 may bring.
Wishing everyone peace, abundant joy, and fundraising success…
Happy Holidays!
Karen & Lisa
Holiday Gift Guide
Welcome to our holiday gift guide!
This guide has a few suggestions by interest, but… there are many more tiles on display in our in-studio gallery. Set an appointment for in-person browsing.
Contact us soon for custom work for holiday delivery!
Don’t forget Hanukkah begins on December 7th.
Time to Start Checking Off That List
CUSTOM ADDRESS PLAQUES
JUDAICA
Memories of Yerushalayim? Enjoy a permanent view! 48″ x 12″
The Hebrew word mezuzah means “doorpost.” According to tradition, the mezuzah should be affixed to the doorpost at the entrance of a home as well as interior rooms.
The “Seven Species” series is an example of a collection for the whole house. Many color options are available.
Fruitful Tiles with Judaic Connotations
Floral Enthusiasts
The Birth Flower Series symbolizes the personal characteristics of those born each month, including those related to anniversaries. A new addition is the December alternate – Holly: happiness & compassion.
Framed or not! 6″ x 6″
PHILLY FANS
Tile images of our “City of Brotherly Love” including Boat House Row, South Street Bridge, Cira Center, Penn’s View & skylines.
PLAY IN CLAY WORKSHOPS
Gift Certificates Available for Ceramic Coaching & Tile Workshops
Individual, Family, Groups
$50 each for 2 hours
Give the gift of creativity
Call today for pricing, place an order, or schedule in-gallery shopping!
215-849-7010
Check out our Etsy store https://karensingertileworks.etsy.com
Architectural Ceramics Wayfinding
These ceramic tile medallions are not only architectural ornamentation, they function as a wayfinding system for Meadowood Senior Living in Worcester, PA
All of Meadowood’s buildings are named for birds and trees. Presently the Courtyards are being renovated, and we have created a series of panels to add beauty and wayfinding to the campus. With ceramic panels, the signage has become part of the architecture.
Time to beautify & enhance the exterior of your buildings?
Let’s talk!
215-849-7010
POST 2023
Join us October 21st & 22nd
12pm – 6pm
90 East Church Lane, Historic Germantown
Check out my new work and my Ceramic Coaching Students!
Hope to see you!
Regards,
Karen
Recent Exterior Tile Installations
Signs & Beautification.
This custom ceramic tile address plaque featuring the company’s logo doubles as signage for our electrical contractor’s new building.
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mahwah, New Jersey. The church interior was completely renovated and as part of the process, four windows were removed from the front of the building. We created these ceramic tile panels to bring details of the church’s beautiful interior (stained glass, the carved rood screen, etc.) to the front facade.
A ceramic tile mural was installed in the pediment area of this East Falls home with a matching address plaque installed below the mural.
This project features our client’s father’s favorite lily.
Mini murals for the step risers – making the garden visible year-round for our Swarthmore client.
The sunset is permanently preserved in this mural installed on the facade of our client’s house with a view of their favorite place to stroll (Dixon Meadow Preserve.)
Ready for Tiling Outside?
215-849-7010
Donor Wall McLean Memory Center
Meadowood’s first capital campaign to build a state-of-the-art memory care facility was successful!
To recognize the support of the donors, Meadowood Senior Living commissioned us to capture the essence of the community, which definitely included the grounds of their campus, in a ceramic tile mural. Donor names were sandblasted into the lily pads honoring the most significant levels of giving. The mural fosters a calming, soothing environment, reducing stress & anxiety for patients and their families- truly a “Sense of Peace.”
Two watercolor wall side panels were created to acknowledge the middle levels of giving and create continuity with the center mural. Installed on walls to the left & to the right of the mural, they continue the mural’s pathway showing the stream, bridges, and foliage. Ceramic tile headers & footers depicting clouds at the top and rocks at the bottom complete the design.
Continuing the water lily motif, we created three custom room plaques to honor donors who funded specific rooms at the new facility.
This lovely water lily gift tile was created and given to a select group of donors as a special thank you.
Donors give because they care about what you do. They have a personal connection. Our work celebrates this connection in a work of art that attracts positive attention.
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