Gratitude

On the occasion of his retirement, MOCRA’s Founding Director curates a uniquely personal selection of works.

Sept. 15 – Dec. 15, 2019
An opening reception will be held 2 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2019.
The reception is free and open to the public.

MOCRA will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
We will be open on Saturday, Nov. 30, and Sunday, Dec. 1.

A time for giving thanks

Terrence Dempsey, S.J., Founding Director of MOCRA, recently retired from Saint Louis University after nearly thirty years as a professor of Art History. With the exhibition Gratitude, he desires to express a deeply felt “thank you” — for the opportunity to establish a museum and, over the course of nearly thirty years, grow its collection, present numerous exhibitions and programs, and share his unique insights into contemporary art.

Gratitude is a uniquely personal show made up of works that hold particular meaning for Fr. Dempsey. Some are by artists he shares a close connection with, while others speak profoundly to him of themes that he has been drawn to throughout his career. Some are works that are foundational to the MOCRA collection.

It is impossible to single out every work and artist he wants to acknowledge, but taken together, these works are offered as an expression of gratitude to all of the artists, lenders, donors, and collaborators Fr. Dempsey has had the privilege of working with, as well as MOCRA’s many visitors and supporters. 

Artists with work in Gratitude include:

Giving gratitude in return

Join us on Sunday, Nov. 10, for a special program celebrating Fr. Dempsey and recognizing his work at MOCRA.

Get the event details