A recent visit to the library by a writer of architectural history and an article of important examples of modern architecture in the state of Rhode Island in the February 10, 2002 Providence Sunday Journal Newspaper prompted the creation of an exhibit in the library of the works by and about Pietro Belluschi.
Belluschi (1899-1994), an Italian born architect who headed the architecture program at M.I.T., designed all the buildings surrounding the "Holy Lawn" on campus between 1960 and 1991. He had done modern skyscrapers, office towers, and theatres as well as churches.
Bill Van Siclen of the Journal calls ours, "the states¹ finest group of modern buildings". Clockwise, they include the Cortazzo Administration Building (1967), (auditorium 1966), the science building (1966), the dormitory complex (1973), the gymnasium, (1983), the Burden Classroom Building (1980), (the St. Thomas More Library (1990), the St. Gregory Abbey Church and Monastery (1960), and the Stillman Dining Hall (1960), (Nesbitt Infirmary, 1967); a total of eleven buildings.
The library has some interesting books on Belluschi and his works as well as a bibliography and some prints. These include, Modern Church Architecture by Albert Christ-Janer and Mary Mix Foley, The People's Architects by Harry S. Ransom, Built in USA: Post War Architecture, ed. by Henry-Russell Hitchock and Arthur Drexler, Spiritual Space: the Religious Architecture of Pietro Belluschi and Pietro Belluschi: Modern American Architect by Meredith Clausen. The bibliography is part of the Vance Bibliographies Architectural series, # 2123, by Anthony G. White.
While we are still seeking to add to this collection, we wish to own one book in particular, Pietro Belluschi : Edifici e Progetti /Buildings and Plans, 1932-1973 a catalog edited by Camillo Gubitosi and Alberto Izzo in Italian but including mostly photographs. The work of Belluschi at the school was also documented in numerous articles in Architectural Record magazine some of which we also own.
Christ-Janer and Foley used a color photograph of the interior of the church and the beautiful Richard Lippold (1915- ) wire sculpture of the crucifixion as their cover for Modern Church Architecture in 1962. Just this year, the annual Benedictine Yearbook 2002, "a guide to the abbeys, priories, parishes and schools of monks and nuns following the Rule of Saint Benedict in Great Britain, Ireland, and their oversees foundations" published by the English Benedictine Congregation Trust, has the same, our own Saint Gregory¹s Abbey interior, on it¹s cover, thirty years later than the first book cover.
The library has received a gift for the purchase of the new Grove Dictionary of Art. This 34 volume, 1998 edition, is a fabulous resource for our art students.
The PAS library has finished cataloging the back files of video and DVD collection into the library databank. The library director is still accepting donations of commercially produced videos. We are seeking to add non-duplicate titles of documentaries (such as PBS, NOVA, National Geographic or A & E) or critically acclaimed feature films. Please contact Mrs. Stevens, library@portsmouthabbey.org if you should want to add to this collection.
The former display of the wood turned bowls and cups, created by Abbey sixth former, Michael Kroger was very interesting. Michael began his hobby in August of last year. Following our exhibit Michael had a few bowls in the student art exhibit. There were many different woods and styles providing a sophisticated display as you can see. The case even smelled lovely.
The antique secular tapestry depicting an idyllic garden scene, which measures 14 feet by 18 inches and which requires that it hang on wall of the lower level of the library has also been photographed. It is quite colorful as you can see.
Alumni were asked to check their bookshelves for four yearbook years, 1947, 1949, 1953, and 1964. The library has received the yearbooks for 1947 and 1948. So one half of the needed copies have been provided by generous donations of alumni. Again, please contact Mrs. Stevens, library@portsmouthabbey.org if you have a year to complete this archival reference collection.
