The Art of the Matter

Any place as old as Christ Church and the Burial Ground have connections to many other historic institutions and landmarks. The Union League, located in Philadelphia and established in 1862, is no exception. It is not as old as other sites connected to us but its roots run deep. The Allee section of our burial ground, which contains vault row, is the final resting place of many Union League members and early leaders, including their first President William M. Meredith. A few Saturdays ago, I slipped away from the church to attend the open house for the Union League. It’s hard to believe that given our connected history, this is the first time I’ve ever been there.

 I was excited to see portraits of people who are buried in Christ Church Burial Ground, including the McCall’s, Cadwalader’s and Major McEuen. Not only did I recognize the spirits from the past but I also knew many of the guides who were presenting the site to the public, including a parishioner of Christ Church who portrays President Lincoln and Francis Hopkinson at public events in the city.

 I was amazed at the collection of artwork.  In particular, I noticed many Thomas Sully paintings throughout the Union League's historic halls. The first piece of art  the Union League purchased was a Sully portrait of George Washington. Every day, while sitting at my desk, I can look over my right shoulder and smile at the 1826 Sully portrait of Reverend Abercrombie, an assistant minister who served Christ Church for 35 years. I think it is really cool that I have a Thomas Sully painting right next to my desk. I don’t think many people can say that, and the fact that I’m an artist makes it more awesome.  It’s kind of weird that my Hopart drawings sometimes are on the desk below this painting. When I’m not crypt keeping, I’m a bit of an artist. I often draw inspiration from the graveyard for my drawings. The fact that artists like Francis Hopkinson, Edward W. Clay and Thomas Pratt are buried here is very inspiring for me. I have recently combined my two worlds with an art project I created titled Said It,  which is a collection of thirteen drawings combining the quotes of Benjamin Franklin with my Hopart surrounding the quotes. I am proud of this because it shows off not only my work but how the words of my pal Franklin are still relevant and are incorporated into the mind and heart of a 21^st century man.

In my last blog I mentioned the opening of the Bruce Springsteen exhibit at the National Constitution Center. I got to see the exhibit last week. I have to say how inspiring it was to see his hand written song lyrics and the connections to art and America. The whole time I was at the exhibit, I had one line from the song “Atlantic City” in my head- everything that dies sometimes comes back again. It reminds me of the way we tell the history of people often forgotten.

 By the way the Burial Ground reopens on March 1^st, weather permitting.

Hop