St. Joe selling custom crosses to aid Ukraine

St. Joe selling custom crosses to aid Ukraine

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MADISON – The Fine Arts Department at St. Joseph Catholic School is doing its part to help Ukraine as it continues its war with Russia.

The Fine Arts Department is selling hand-crafted ceramic crosses created by students decorated in honor of the Ukrainian nation.

The crosses are decorated in various ways, such as Ukraine’s colors painted on, and others have the word ‘Ukraine’ spelled down on the cross.

The crosses come in a large or small size, with the small ones selling for $5 large ones selling for $10. All money raised goes to the Catholic Diocese of Jackson’s relief efforts for Ukraine.

Lou Ann Turner, an arts and ceramics teacher at St. Joe, said these crosses were the first thing to come to mind when she heard about Russia’s invasion.

“When I first learned that Russia invaded Ukraine and then saw what Ukrainians are going through, I just felt we needed to do something,” Turner said. “Beautiful, hand-made crosses are what came to mind.”

Students in Turner’s pottery class painted and decorated the crosses. They are being sold through word-of-mouth and are featured for sale at St, Joe’s art store Joesy’s, which sells student art and is open by appointment.

St. Joe Principal Dr. Dena Kinsey and Vicki Runnels, chair of Fine Arts, said they were pleased to see Turner and her students use their artistic talents to help the Ukrainian people, and how it is one example of how St. Joe students try to help anyone in need.

“These crosses are beautiful,” Kinsey said. “I am so proud of our students and our Fine Arts Department. These crosses are a wonderful way for people to honor the victims of brutal aggression while appreciating the artistic talents of St. Joe students.”

Art and pottery are two of several elective courses St. Joe students can take each year. Other Fine Arts electives include choir, band, piano and theater; non-Fine Arts electives include engineering, broadcast journalism and print journalism.

St. Joseph Catholic School, founded in 1870 by the Sisters of Mercy, offers seventh- through 12th-grade students a rigorous college prep curriculum grounded in the teachings of the Catholic Church. The school recently celebrated its 150th anniversary.

To buy a cross or for more information, contact Fine Arts Chair Vicki Runnels at vrunnels@stjoebruins.com.






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