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Past Events and Exhibits

Mary's Gardens

University Libraries presented three exhibitions celebrating Mary's Gardens, March 25–May 10, 2017. Visitors walked through a living indoor garden filled with flowers and plants named for Mary. The history of the Mary’s Gardens movement was represented through artifacts selected from the personal collection of the founder, John S. Stokes Jr. The Marian Library gallery featured new paintings of flowers inspired by Mary by artist Holly Schapker. Mary’s Gardens was founded in 1951 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to research the hundreds of flowers named in medieval times as symbols of the Blessed Virgin Mary; as recorded by botanists, folklorists and lexicographers; and to assist in the planting of Mary Gardens today. The Marian Library holds the John Stokes and Mary's Garden collection, containing the personal papers of Mary's Gardens cofounder, John S. Stokes, Jr.

Engage with the Mary's Gardens Collection
Charism, Character and Calling
Charism, Character and Calling exhibited Feb. 9 through March 31st, 2015 on the second floor of Roesch Library. The exhibit was part of the campus and worldwide celebrations for the Year of Consecrated Life. It featured artifacts and photos from all three special collections within University Libraries, including items from the Catholic Sisters collection and materials used in final vow services. Profiles and personal reflections from more than 30 vowed religious, as well as artwork including paintings, quilts, poems, illuminations, sketch books and sculptures were on display to show other ways vowed religious live their call. Videos profiling six consecrated men and women highlight Consecrated life in four unique ways: discerning the Call, living the Call, life beyond the vocation and the importance of community.
Read the Press Release and Watch the Videos
Imprints and Impressions
Highlights from the Rose Rare Book Collection exhibited Sept. 29 – Nov. 9, 2014 in the Roesch Library gallery. This faculty-selected exhibit featured rare and near-priceless first editions, manuscripts, galley proofs, papyri and illustrations spanning the scholarly spectrum from philosophy to physics. The items in our online exhibit archive are part of the collection of Stuart Rose, a Dayton-area businessman who has assembled one of the most accomplished collections of its kind in private hands.
View the Exhibit Archive
Art for Citizens and Celebrants
Art for Citizens and Celebrants: The Sculpture of Robert C. Koepnick exhibited March 16 - Sept. 5, 2014 in the Roesch Library gallery. Robert "Bob" C. Koepnick (1907-1995) was a well-known Dayton sculptor and headed the sculpture department at the Dayton Art Institute (DAI) from 1936-1975. The exhibit celebrated Koepnick's work and life as artist and teacher.
Online Exhibit Archive
Hope on the Hill
Hope on the Hill: Marianists and the 1913 Flood exhibited Feb. 4 - June 17, 2013 on the second floor of Roesch Library.  The exhibit marked the 100th anniversary of the 1913 Great Flood in Dayton. The exhibit included a record of the flood refugees sheltered and fed at St. Mary's College, the school that later became University of Dayton. Also included were student's perspectives in the Exponent and an oral history from Brother Andy Weber describing what he saw from his window at St. Mary's.
Online Exhibit Archive
Manifold Greatness
Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible exhibited Aug. 24 - Sept. 19 in the Roesch Library gallery. University of Dayton was selected as one of 40 sites to host this grant-funded exhibit. Manifold Greatness marked the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. It depicted how the Bible's profound impact on religion, music, literature, language and more.