Mother of God opens its doors to BLINK visitors for a nighttime artwork tour

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Mother of God Parish, Covington, lit the night as their staggering edifice was illuminated by the art of three French artists during BLINK weekend, Oct. 8-11. Artists Jeremie Bellot, Jeremy Oury and Leslie Epsztein worked transform the exterior of Mother of God Church into the “dream of world of newborn, where shapes, colors, and sensations emerge before words exist,” explained the BLINK website. This year’s BLINK weekend drew millions to downtown Cincinnati and Covington, with one Mother of God volunteer estimating that the Church saw 15,000 people stop to marvel at its exterior.

Parishioners of Mother of God know, however, that it is not just the four-day artwork on the outside of the building that is worthy of marveling, it is the year-round artwork on the inside that should draw crowds. That is what parishioner Bob Stevie set out to show those who attended BLINK at Mother of God, inviting everyone who stopped at the installation to a nighttime viewing of the classic Italian Renaissance Revival work of the Church. “Normally, during the daytime, the windows dominate, you overlook the artwork that’s in the Church,” said Mr. Stevie.

Everyone that ventured inside Mother of God Church during BLINK received a printed guide to the artwork, courtesy of one of the 110 volunteers, and while viewing the art they were able to listen to an organ performance from parish organist Meg Booker. “People would sit in the Church and just listen to the music,” said Mr. Stevie. “The main thing was to really greet people and let them know this place existed, so it worked out really well,” he said.

Mr. Stevie estimates that nearly 1,500 visitors came in to see the artwork and marvel at the divine. “It’s such a wonderful place to take advantage of the aspect that it is so beautiful,” he said.

This is not the first time Mother of God has been selected as a BLINK site, nor is it the first time it has invited viewers inside for a nighttime tour. Four years ago, the parish had a similar idea and saw Mass attendance rise because of it. “I think that’s important,” said Mr. Stevie, “That people that came to the Church, they realized was a functioning Catholic church and they started showing up for Mass or they bring people.”

Mr. Stevie does not know if Mother of God Church will be selected as a BLINK site in two years but hopes that the tradition continues and grows outside of BLINK. “I think there’s a decent opportunity for a docent program,” he said, “It’s just a different way to show people the beauty of some of the Catholic churches.”