Br. Kenneth Chapman Gallery’s newest exhibit “Saving: The Contemporary Icons of Threated and Endangered Species of Angela Manno” will be displayed from March 20 until April 7 at the JoAnn Mazzella Murphy ‘98H Arts Center.  

This exhibit focuses on the mass extinction of nature and displays works of non-human species depicted in the traditionally religious form of the icon. Currently, the rate of extinction for species is  10,000 – 100,000 per year, which is one thousand times the natural rate. If current trends persist half of the Earth’s animal and plant species will be extinct by the end of this century, according to the biologist E.O, Wilson 

Manno is an award-winning artist based in New York City. She is a graduate of Bard College and studied art at the San Franciso Art Institute, Parsons of Design and l’Ecole des Arts in Lacoste through Sarah Lawrence College, France. Manno has trained with master iconographer, Vladislav Andrejev, in the ancient liturgical art of Byzantine Russian iconography.  

 Manno was commissioned in May 2022 by the Vatican Dicastery on Human Development to create an audio-visual program to open Laudato Si’ Week 2022.  This event happened to fall on the seven-year anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical. The program included pieces from the Contemporary Icons of Endangered Species.   

Manno believes that ensuring our survival depends on nothing less than a re-enchantment with the Earth as a living reality. She sought to elevate non-human species to their rightful and equal place in the community of being. In addition, 50% of the proceeds from the sale of the icons aid the Center for Biological Diversity, an organization devoted to protecting species in danger of extinction.