Artists Bless Abandoned Church With Exhibit

After years of disuse, an abandoned church in Spanish Harlem has opened its doors for a new art exhibit on religiosity and spirituality. Closed since its congregation dissolved in the 90s, St. John’s Episcopal American Catholic Church on the corner of Lexington Avenue and East 102nd Street, is the setting for “Sacrosanct,” a group exhibition produced by curator Sophie T. Lvoff. The exhibition opened on Sunday with ten artists sculptures, photographs, videos and installations, including an intensely self-referential Last Supper scene, inside the once holy space. A closing reception from 5 to 10 PM on Sunday will feature the spiritual works accompanied by the sounds of the St. John’s Choir, Young Man About Town, and Patrick Cleandenim. Click the images below for a preview of the art by Antoine Catala, Stephen Collier, Patrick Duncan, Zaq Landsberg, Sophie T. Lvoff, Heather Macionus, Santiago Mostyn, Eric Payson, Grant Willing and Alana Celii amidst the dilapidated house of worship.