Does your
overflow Mass space lack beauty?
We can help.
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Overflowing pews at Easter Mass can leave parishioners and visitors feeling exiled.
Consider this, one of your families arrives at Mass to discover the Church at capacity and ushers re-directing them to the dreaded “overflow” space. Their Easter joy a bit dimmed, they trek to the annex perhaps a tad disheartened.
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But, what if upon entering the overflow space their hearts were lifted and they felt invited, welcomed and nourished?
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What if, upon entering your parish hall or gymnasium this year they encountered the good news of Jesus Christ in clear, radiant, and beautiful images? What if they experienced the sacramental nature of truly sacred art that reveals and makes present Christ’s saving love?
Hello, we are Ruth and Geoff Stricklin of New Jerusalem Studios. As a sacred art studio, our conviction is that sacred art evangelizes, helping to make present in a radiant, visible and attractive way, the saving love of Jesus... yes, even in, and perhaps especially in, the annex.
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Order your backdrop by March 1st to receive it in time to transform your Easter overflow Mass space this year.
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"Instantly convert a conference room into a chapel with a backdrop from New Jerusalem Studios.
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These backdrops allow an ordinary space to be raised to the extraordinary reality of an encounter with the Lord.
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With this reasonably priced backdrop and the ease of assembly, our Masses and times of prayer at our diocesan convocation were deepened. I would highly recommend these backdrops for conferences, school Masses, and parish overflow Masses.”
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- Fr. Michael Groth, Diocese of Joliet.
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Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Joliet
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Why advertise banners now?
Because we are inspired by creative pastors.
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At New Jerusalem Studios our primary work is the creation of large-scale hand-painted sacred art murals and liturgically informed renovations. We initially provided banner reproductions to meet liturgical needs in large temporary spaces like Eucharistic conferences and conclaves. Organic requests for reproductions keeps growing. This fall, a creative pastor from the Diocese of Joliet returned from the their conclave (pictured above) which utilized one of our banners. He immediately ordered “conference banners” for his own parish’s overflow Masses. Having worked as the Director of Liturgy at a large parish with overflow Masses in the past, Geoff Stricklin recognized how this could meet the practical needs of parishes, and decided we should do what we can to share this creative use with others. We hope you find it an encouraging option to welcome your flock into overflow spaces if you have them this year. If you are interested in a sacred art banner, you can order one from the website link above, or contact us for a personalized review of your needs by emailing us directly at ruthandgeoff@njerusalemstudios.com.
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Sign up to receive our quarterly newsletter targeted specifically to the needs of Pastors and Parishes.
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Sacred Art Banner Samples
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Limited quantities available for rent. Inquire directly about current availability.
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Contact us for help determining
the best size for your space.
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This set of three 12' H x 10' W panels this backdrop spans 30' when assembled. Originally painted by Ruth for Xavier College Prep, a percentage of sales for this backdrop goes to the Xavier scholarship fund.
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The Holy Family Banner is derived from the original work of art by Ruth A. Stricklin, commissioned by the Diocese of Phoenix for the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of its founding.
The work expresses the theme of the year’s events, and a preliminary sketch accompanied Bishop Thomas Olmsted’s beautiful Apostolic Exhortation, “Complete My Joy - To Husbands and Wives, Mothers and Fathers of the Diocese of Phoenix,” 2019.
15' H x 9' W. Additional sizes available.
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Christ the King and Sacred Heart
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Christ the King Conference Backdrop is derived from the original mural work by artist Ruth Stricklin, which is permanently installed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona.
(This was the backdrop purchased by the Diocese of Joliet for the October 2023 Conclave mentioned above. The standard size is 9 x 16. Additional sizes available.
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Christ in Glory and Mary, Theotokos
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Christ in Glory and Mary, Theotokos Conference Backdrop is derived from the original work of art by Ruth A. Stricklin, commissioned by Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock, Illinois for use in their all-school Masses.
This backdrop features Christ in Majesty surrounded by the Blessed Seraphim, symbolic depictions of God the Father and the Holy Spirit, and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
8' x 14' Additional sizes available.
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Christ's Eternal Sacrifice
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Christ’s Eternal Sacrifice Conference Backdrop is derived from the original mural work by artist Ruth Stricklin, created for St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Phoenix, Arizona for use in the gymnasium for their all-school Masses.
10' x 14' Additional sizes available.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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Yes, I want to receive the targeted Pastor/Parish Newsletter
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Learn more about New Jerusalem Studios and our Parish renovations
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Shop the Sacred Art Banners for your overflow Mass or Eucharistic Conferences
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Shop our Sacred Art Gallery - Icon Boards, Canvas, and Paper prints for the home
15% off thru 11/27
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We hope you are nourished by encounters with beauty this Lenten and Easter season.
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