Ministry_KathleenH

     Sister Kathleen Hickenbotham is a Benedictine Sister and artist. Her studio is located in Sacred Heart Monastery where she works in various media, but chiefly in watercolor painting and calligraphy, most often a combination of the two. She also makes pottery and does some sculpture. Much of her work can be found in health care institutions in the surrounding region, as well as in private homes.

    Sister Kathleen does custom work as commissioned by her customers. Her work is also available at the monastery gift shop. For more information call 605-668-6015.

    Born and raised principally in Minnesota, she moved with her family, when in high school, to Sioux Falls, SD. Upon graduating from high school, she entered Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton, SD. After graduating from Mount Marty College in Yankton, and after many years in the teaching profession, she earned her BFA degree from Southern Colorado State College, Pueblo, CO, and then went on to earn an MFA from the University of Oregon in Eugene, OR. After teaching for 12 years in Mount Marty College’s Art Dept., she was assigned to be a full time resident artist at the monastery.

    A major influence in Sr. Kathleen’s life was Sr. Leonarda Longen of the same monastery who was her teacher, and whose work in calligraphy and other art media was full of inspiration for her. Sr. Kathleen has attended international calligraphy conferences where workshops were offered by some of the most outstanding artists in calligraphy as well as other supporting arts and techniques. The life of a monastic with its daily routine of prayer and reading of Sacred Scripture and other spiritual texts has been a ready source of inspiration for her work. Sister’s work often glows with light and color to express the text used. She also paints without using calligraphy: landscapes, flowers, gardens, etc. Her intent is to make something beautiful, something meaningful that will in some way touch the person looking at it and uplift the heart.

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