Kathy Hoehn, one of the organizer's of the show, and Marilyn Lorenz-Weinkauf, a Sacred Heart Associate, enjoy a light moment. Jeanne Rohen, left, friend of Sister Virginia O'Meara,  talks with Sr. Lucie Nordmann, RSCJ, who spearheaded the show and sale of Sister O'Meara's work. Judy Garcia ponders Sister O'Meara's prints, deciding which to buy. Sally Stephens, RSCJ, takes a last look at paintings by Sister O'Meara, a member of her community in St. Louis. Jane Sehnert (right) and Meta Joutras of Chicago discuss framed paintings and collages to be sold by silent auction. Erin Verry, left, alumni director at Maryville University, and her assistant Stephanie Camden examine their purchases of Sister O'Meara's small art books.

Friends of Virginia O’Meara and members of her religious community in St. Louis organized an exhibition and sale of her art work at Maryville University, where Sister O’Meara taught for many years. More than $10,000 was raised at the November 5 event in a silent auction of framed works and sales of collages, prints and art books. Proceeds, were donated to the retirement fund of the Religious of the Sacred Heart, U.S. Province.

Sister O’Meara, known as “Gin O’Meara,” died of cancer March 22. She was 78 had been a Religious of the Sacred Heart for more than 50 years. Following her retirement from Maryville in 1989, Sister O’Meara worked as an artist at her studio across from St. Louis Priory in west St. Louis County. She was also well-known in the St. Louis area as a spiritual director.

As an artist, Sister O’Meara worked in a variety of media, including collage, watercolor and oil. Her favorite medium, though, was bookmaking, which allowed her to package paper, words and symbols in highly personal ways.

Sister Nordmann, a member of Sister O’Meara’s community in St. Louis, said two good friends of Sister O’Meara, Jeanne Rohen and Kathy Hoehn had been especially instrumental in working with her to organize the show and sale. RSCJ, Sacred Heart Associates and numerous family members and friends helped out on the evening of November 5.

"Gin's output was prodigious, and this event made it possible for many people to have a chance to purchase some of her previously unsold work. RSCJ in her community and her friends who helped to organize this event were thrilled to honor such a creative and contemplative life in this way."