Oakcrest Announces the Dedication of an Original Painting for its Chapel

From the early design stages of the Oakcrest campus in Vienna, the chapel was envisioned as a Nativity chapel. Because Oakcrest serves young women, Head of School Dr. Mary T. Ortiz wanted an image that touched their young hearts and imaginations, complete with charming animals. In addition, Oakcrest views parents as primary educators and collaborates with them in the education of their daughters. It is fitting that the school honor the Holy Family with an image that will inspire all Oakcrest families who pray in this chapel. The artist, Henry Wingate, is an oil painter with a studio in Madison, Virginia. Mr. Wingate is an artist trained in the Boston School tradition of painting. Oakcrest first worked with Mr. Wingate on the portrait of longtime benefactor Debbie Duffy, whose generosity helped make the school's 23-acre Vienna campus a reality. In her remarks during the dedication of the Holy Family painting, Head of School Dr. Mary T. Ortiz remarked, “I can say with confidence that we couldn’t have chosen a better person for this beautiful addition to the chapel.” Dr. Ortiz also thanked Oakcrest AP Art History teacher and interior designer Victoria Bigliano, who worked closely with Mr. Wingate on the school’s vision for the painting and the details that reflect various aspects of the Oakcrest mission.

The painting features several subtle nods to Oakcrest School’s history and mission. Dogwood flowers and a female cardinal are a nod to the school’s Virginia home and its mission to serve young women. St. Joseph appears as Opus Dei’s founder St. Josemaria Escriva envisioned him: a strong, handsome, young man with the ability to protect and provide for the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus. The donkey in the painting is a reference to St. Josemaria’s love for donkeys, who served in various moments in the life of the Holy Family. Careful viewers will notice acorns scattered throughout the painting, which echo the oak tree in the school’s name and crest and the 6th grade Acorns who complete the full 7 years of an Oakcrest education. The scene also contains a plaid cloth from the Oakcrest uniform in a basket. Faculty member Paula Rondon commented that this detail “reminds us that all of us at Oakcrest are there with the Holy Family in this transcendent moment.”