By Pauline Hovey
Special to the Herald
(From the issue of 10/23/03)

At the foothills of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains in Madison County lies a small, ecumenical community arts center whose Catholic founders are devoted to "promoting artistic excellence for the glory of God." As artists, cofounders Tomas and Bonnie Fernandez, parishioners at Our Lady of the Blue Ridge in Madison, understand the desperate need for Christian values in the art world. It was this realization and their faith that led to the concept of the Archangel Arts Center, the first facility of its kind, which officially opens its doors with an open house on Oct. 25.

Providing inspiration, education, and recreation through various art, dance and music classes; art workshops; a lending library; gallery; storytelling time; and informational Web site, the center focuses on artistic expression as a vehicle for experiencing the divine connection between God and man. Tomas Fernandez, a professionally trained and nationally known sculptor, is excited that "nothing like this exists anywhere."

His initial plans include a week of icon painting classes in November, taught by the nationally know icon painter, Bob Wiesner; educational "teas" where guests learn about renowned Christian artists, both the old masters and contemporary artists; a "blossoming" workshop for preteen and teen girls to help them discover their inner beauty; and a blacksmith workshop for school groups.

This innovative idea began evolving when Fernandez met his wife Bonnie, an RCIA candidate at the time, whom he credits with bringing him back to his faith. Bonnie was a freelance graphics artist, and Fernandez was making a living as a sculptor for the secular market. They married in 1989 and were living in Purcellville, when, Fernandez said, God woke him up one night and gave him a clear vision of a cross bathed in light. "That completely rerouted my life," Fernandez said. He began focusing his work on God and, in response to that "vision," sculpted a 33 ft. cross, "Crux Gloria," that stands outside his former parish, St. Francis de Sales in Purcellville. From there the couple became artists-in-residence at Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg, and although they considered opening an art center there, they found God had other plans. Moved by the Spirit, they relocated to a Christian retreat center in Madison County. It was there that they started their family which brought much change into their lives.

"God took us out of the public eye and began an intimate time with Him, forming us as parents," Fernandez said. Because his sculptures had become well known, and he had been receiving regular commissions, Fernandez figured "this was all green lights" from God to keep going in that direction. "I became so enamored with this call of His, I anticipated we were going to take the world by storm." But then God took everything away. Fernandez suddenly stopped getting commissions; his work "dried up." Then the retreat center went up for sale and they were forced to move. During that period, Fernandez spent more alone time with God, studying Scripture, praying and helping his wife who was now expecting their fourth child. This experience led the couple to "a strong feeling" that they should sell their current home and seek to open a place "where people could talk about God and have art be the tool." That meant putting aside their dream of getting out of debt and instead taking a huge leap of faith. But the couple knew they were following God’s call when things started falling into place.

Soon thereafter, a 45-acre farm in Madison became available. The owner, coincidentally called Mr. Raphael (name of their first-born son), had been praying that the property would be used to glorify God. A year later, with the help of a client friend, Fernandez was able to also purchase the adjoining property, which would become the art center. With his friend’s help, he was able to turn the center into a nonprofit organization, and spent a year renovating the property. Finally, in Sept. 2003, the Archangel Arts Center began offering its first classes. Now the couple must wait to see how the community, and the region, will respond. But Fernandez doesn’t seem worried. "We believe that because we created this place for praise and worship, where the orientation is heavenward, God will bring us the people," he said.

His hope is that the center will thrive in this area where less than two percent of the population is Catholic. The community is, however, very Christian based, and Fernandez has already gained the respect of the Madison Ministerial Association, an ecumenical group that has invited him to join them as a lay minister. It is important to Fernandez that he has gained their trust, as a Christian, as well as an artist, because he views artists as "shepherds."

"We are going to shape thought," he said. "It’s a very big responsibility, and I don’t take it lightly."

After the opening of the center, Fernandez still asks that the Catholic community pray for his family to receive the grace they need to do this work and to overcome any obstacles against opening this center. "We need the support of committed Catholics and all Christians," he said.

Archangel Arts Center is located on Route 29, about a one and a half hour drive from Northern Virginia. For more information, contact the center at 540-948-5628, or visit their Web site at www.archangelarts.com.