Handmade
Pottery & Decor

Jubilee 2025…

This week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Papal Audience in Saint Peter’s Square during the Jubilee celebration — Wow!

I am not sure the actual count of pilgrims from around the world that joined to hear Pope Leo XIV deliver his message and blessings, but as you can see from the photos, the square and city were packed.

The energy in St. Peter’s Square was electric — thousands of people united, joy and faith filling the air. 🙏 The enthusiasm and energy remained the rest of the day throughout the city.

I just couldn’t get the chant out of my head — ‘Papa Leone! Papa Leone!’ I kept catching myself humming or lightly singing it as we toured other sights.

As we departed Rome, I still could hear the echoes of the day — the chant, the joy, the faith — all reminding me why I wanted to visit and why so many have made the long journey – for reflection, renewal, unity, and hope!

#popeleoxiv #papaleonexiv #vaticancity …

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When art, light, and timing align…
Something truly special happened this week at the Vatican.

While photographing a sculpture behind glass — perfectly positioned beside a window — the reflection merged with the landscape outside, creating a striking painterly silhouette of “The Good Shepherd.”

This breathtaking piece often goes unnoticed, as it sits near the end of the Vatican Museums’ extensive exhibition route, following the Sistine Chapel.

Commissioned by Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria and gifted to Pope Leo XIII for his Jubilee (circa 1903), it was sculpted by Rudolph Marschall — gold on African marble.

A moment where art, faith, and light all came together. ❤️

#vaticanmuseums #VaticanArt #RudolphMarschall #FaithAndArt #MuseiVaticani #Vaticano🇻🇦 #VaticanExperience #ArtInspiration #TravelThroughArt …

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I recently spent two incredible weeks at ICARTS in Monte Castello di Vibio, Italy — WOW! 🏺✨

This art school is a hidden gem tucked in a medieval Umbrian village — the perfect place to slow down, create, and connect with Italian culture. 🇮🇹💛

The ICARTS team, the kindhearted locals — and even the village cats — filled each day with warmth and welcome. 🐈‍⬛

Between workshops, we explored the history, art, and theology of Todi, Orvieto, Assisi, Deruta, and Spello — towns and people that make this region so special. We left deeply inspired (and with a little less change in our pockets!). ☀️🍨

Special thanks to @evalyschampagne for her inspiring energy — demos, critiques, and surface decoration magic. I’m heading home with new tools, ideas, and inspiration for future work. 🙌

We were especially fortunate to fire our pieces with Ceramiche Dolci Fabrizio — Silvio, Fabrizio, and Giancarlo — masters of their craft for over 50 years. 🔥🌿
As we shared food, laughter, and stories beside the kiln, our pots — and friendships — transformed together. ❤️

Grazie, Monte Castello di Vibio and the entire ICARTS family — this experience will stay with me forever. 🇮🇹✨

#evalyschampagne #ica.italy #MonteCastellodivibio #CeramicWorkshop #WoodFiring #CeramicArt #ClayCommunity #ItalianCraft #ArtInItaly #PotteryLife #JustFiredPottery #ArtistJourney #CreativeTravel #Umbria …

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