Final Works of Celebrated Artist Sister Augustine To Be Made Available at Special Event on Nov. 18

St. Marys, PA ~ At a special event on Wednesday, November 18, from 6 to 8 p.m., the Benedictine Gift Shop (139 Church Street) in St. Marys, PA, will officially release the limited edition, signed and numbered Unfinished Works Collection by the late Sister Augustine, the 92-year old celebrated artist and star of the best-selling memoir Five Years in Heaven: The Unlikely Friendship That Answered Life’s Greatest Questions by John Schlimm. The November 18 event and sale are open to the public. Phone-in orders will also be taken nationwide following the event, starting on November 19. To preview the pieces, please visit www.JohnSchlimm.com.

Courtesy of the Benedictine Gift Shop of St. Marys, PA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Unfinished Works Collection consists of 82 white bisqueware ceramic art pieces signed by Sister Augustine with her trademark “SJC” for Saint Joseph’s Ceramics, which was part of St. Joseph Monastery, the oldest Benedictine Convent in the U.S. (The convent was founded in 1852 and closed in 2015.) These works were left unfinished by Sister Augustine in her studio upon her passing in 2008.

“This event is a rare and final chance for Sister Augustine’s many fans locally and across the country to own one of her pieces or add to their existing collection,” John Schlimm said. “In their unfinished state, these pieces take on an even more significant meaning in relation to Sister’s motto that life is meant to be an unfinished piece of work that others carry on after you’ve gone.”

These collectible final pieces, which range from larger vases and pouring pitchers and plates to smaller bowls and figurines, were curated for the event by John and representatives of the Benedictine Gift Shop, which was opened as a result of the iconic St. Joseph Monastery’s closing.

John added, “Sister Augustine always blessed her pieces in the kiln before closing the lid, with a sprinkling of Holy Water and a prayer to one of her favorite saints, Saint Francis of Assisi.”

In honor of Sister Augustine’s inspiring humility and belief that her works should be affordable to anyone who wants to own one, these specially blessed pieces in The Unfinished Works Collection will be priced $10.00 and under, and accompanied with a special tag of provenance. At the November 18 event, there will be a limit of two pieces per person. Proceeds will benefit the ongoing work and ministry of the Benedictine Gift Shop.

Courtesy of the Benedictine Gift Shop of St. Marys, PA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

With the nationwide release of Five Years in Heaven, which chronicles John’s five-year friendship with Sister Augustine and the countless life lessons she taught him, Sister and her art have gained legions of new admirers from coast to coast. And, with the release of the Korean and Chinese editions of the memoir, an international audience is now being introduced to the beloved nun and prolific artist. Sister Augustine and Five Years in Heaven also inspired the May 5 #ThankANun Day social media campaign, which reached nearly 5 million people worldwide.

Also, while supplies last, a miniature (unsigned) piece of bisqueware from Sister Augustine’s studio will be given away with every copy of Five Years in Heaven that is purchased at the Benedictine Gift Shop, starting at The Unfinished Works Collection event on Wednesday, November 18.

For more information about The Unfinished Works Collection event on November 18, or to place an out-of-town order for an unfinished piece (starting on November 19) or a special guardian angel-inscribed copy of Five Years in Heaven, please call the Benedictine Gift Shop c/o St. Mary’s Parish Office at 814-781-1019.

To view photos of the pieces in The Unfinished Works Collection click here: http://johnschlimm.com/2015/11/08/the-unfinished-works-collection-by-sister-augustine/