Since you are up for staying in touch, we wanted to share a little bit about New Jerusalem Studios and its owners, and Ruth and Geoff Stricklin:

Meet Ruth

Ruth Stricklin, a mural artist and designer formed New Jerusalem Studios with her husband, Geoff in 2014. Ruth had many profound encounters with the Lord through sacred art at the beginning of her own conversion process, and these carried over into her study of and dedication to becoming a sacred artist herself. As an Evangelical Christian, she was aware of sacred art, but did not know its connection to Christ's presence in the liturgy. She describes in touching detail that as she was painting her very first large-scale work of sacred art, the River of Life mural at Xavier College Prep, she was learning the faith, even incarnationally in and through her body. Many times she would be painting, and without awareness or intention, something wonderful and unexpected would appear on the canvas by her hand. She was convinced in these experiences that the Lord was guiding her hand even in the painting process of the sacred work. As she painted, she researched and got to know each saint in their writings and experienced admiration, friendship, and connection with them. Then miraculously, in the first Mass where her recently painted work was displayed, she received a vision of the Lord's face when the celebrant elevated the host. Convinced of Jesus' presence in the Liturgy and in the Eucharistic host, she was compelled to become Catholic!

Meet Geoff

Geoff, a graduate of the Liturgical Institute, Mundelein, IL, in addition handling operational, architectural and liturgical design aspects of their business also teaches Theology full time at Xavier College Prep in Phoenix, AZ. He endeavored to establish New Jerusalem Studios in 2014 with Ruth, recognizing a need to respond to a growing commitment to authentic liturgical renewal in the Catholic community, especially seen in the desire of many parishes to bring a traditional sense of beauty back into their sacred spaces. Geoff brings his passion and years of training in parish ministry, teaching, and formal education in liturgy to the mission of evangelizing through beauty.

Together

Sacred art is a gateway to a sacramental encounter with Christ, and helping people to experience Christ’s loving and transforming presence in the Mass is our reason for being. Over the years, we have heard many stories from friends and strangers about encounters they've had with Jesus through the sacred art and design we do here at New Jerusalem Studios. We are humbled by this and also compelled to continue this work and to do our part to extend Christ's loving presence as far as he allows.