Shrines are tributes to saints -- and brother

To honor her brother Wally, who suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Jen Wojtowicz will display some of her unusual art in the Visions Gallery at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Albany, March 3-April 28.

Her collection -- small, three-dimensional shrines in honor of various saints -- will be the main focus of "Shrines for ALS." The gallery will also exhibit shrines by other artists.

Benefits from the sale of Ms. Wojtowicz's work will be given to St. Peter's ALS Regional Center in Albany in honor of her brother.

Honoring grandmother

Ms. Wojtowicz, a Rexford resident, began to work with saints about six years ago.

"I was thinking of my grandmother Sarah when I fashioned my first shrine after St. Anne, who was the grandmother of Jesus," she said. "I wanted to find a way to express my feelings about this saint through my memories of my own grandmother.

"She grew up on a farm, learning how to do everything from scratch. We lived next door to her when I was a child, and I remember her as someone that just took care of everything, did it all and was always there, quietly getting everyday tasks done."

The artist created a three-dimensional shadow box that included odds and ends particular to her grandmother, like a homemade pie.

Shrine art

After that, Ms. Wojtowicz designed more shrines for other saints, including Francis, Clare and Maria Goretti.

Her newfound interest coincided with the news that her brother had ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. In addition, when he was a toddler, he had been diagnosed as autistic.

"Wally's autism hasn't stopped him from becoming a loving, caring person," she said. "We always knew that there was more to him than what his autistic behavior showed us. As a child, his confusion and frustration in not being able to communicate caused him to retreat into himself."

Salute to center

Ms. Wojtowicz said that her parents enrolled their son, who was 39 when he was diagnosed with ALS, in St. Peter's ALS Center.

"Our entire family was struck by the caring and support of my brother by the staff there," she said. "We so appreciate what they have done for Wally and for everyone in our family. They have been a valuable resource for all of us."

(Ms. Wojtowicz said that donations to the ALS center will be accepted at the opening reception for her exhibition on March 3 and throughout the show. For information about the gallery, call 453-6600.)

(3/2/06) [[In-content Ad]]