Terri Albanese, a parishioner at Columbus Our Lady of Victory Church, is an artist specializing in glass mosaics. During the pandemic, Albanese created a collection of garden-themed glass mosaics titled “A Garden of Gratitude.” The exhibit serves as a thank-you to front-line workers – particularly those in hospitals  

Albanese is a graduate of the Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD). Though she studied mosaics at CCAD, the art form did not speak to her until she traveled to Italy with her husband. There, she saw dozens of classical glass mosaics in churches, cathedrals, even storefronts and fell in love with the colorful creations. 

“I was moved spiritually, mentally, emotionally. Every way possible,” she said.

Upon returning home, Albanese set out to create classical glass mosaics. She ended up in Miami to learn the fundamentals from a woman who had studied under master mosaicists in the Vatican. However, Albanese’s style was entirely her own. 

She was inspired to create “A Garden of Gratitude” by the hospital workers carrying out their duties during the pandemic. 

“As an artist, I isolate a lot. We work alone. And I couldn’t stop thinking about our hospital workers who were going into this environment that was deadly. They had the courage to walk in, day after day after day, and care for our loved ones,” Albanese said. 

Initially, Albanese created a glass painting called “Interwoven.” She printed the image onto cards and distributed them to hospitals throughout Columbus to be given to their workers. Eventually, word spread about the cards, and nearly 30,000 were sent to front-line workers nationwide – to hospital staff members, police officers, priests and nuns, military veterans, and others.

“I received such positive feedback from that and thought, ‘Well, I have to do more!’” Albanese said. 

Albanese set out to create her exhibit, focusing on a garden theme and choosing flowers that symbolized the positive attributes of front-line workers. For example, one piece depicts white tulips, which represent hope. 

Albanese identified different traits of front-line workers that she wanted to convey in her art: grace and the healing touch, resilience, compassion, courage, inner strength, inner beauty, inner peace, dedication, devotion, perseverance, self-sacrifice, selflessness, thoughtfulness, patience, gratitude and hope. 

“One of the things that’s important is the connection between art and healing. I created ‘A Garden of Gratitude’ to kind of be a place for health-care workers to come, get away and connect with something positive, something beautiful, something that will lift them up, even if it’s just for a moment,” Albanese explained. 

“There is a real connection between art and healing, and I think it’s important that we share that connection and help people heal.”

“A Garden of Gratitude” is touring hospitals in Ohio and the University of Kentucky Medical Center as a part of Albanese’s mission to provide peace and light. 

For more information on the exhibit visit terrialbanese.com.

Jenna Mar is a Columbus Bishop Watterson High School and Kent State University graduate.