The EWTN team with host Elizabeth Lev and Father Mark Haydu, LC, International Coordinator of The Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, in the Sistine Chapel.

October 22, 2008. Rome, Italy. EWTN was recently given unprecedented access to the Vatican Museums to film a 10-episode original series called “Catholic Canvas,” a project that aims to tell the story of salvation history through artistic masterpieces. The project was the result of teamwork between three Catholic organizations: EWTN, which did the main work of filming and producing the program; The Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, coordinated by Fr Mark Haydu, LC, which helped the team to get free access to important masterpieces in the Vatican Museums; and the Primavera Fine Art Foundation, founded by Regnum Christi members Earnest and Barbara Bentley, which provided the financial support.

The first episode of the show will air on EWTN at 6:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 6 and at 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 11.

A Journey through Salvation History

“Catholic Canvas is a journey through salvation history as seen in the art of the Vatican Museums,” explained Mary Shovlain, the Rome-based producer of the show. “We begin with the angels – the first to be created, the first to fall – which sets the stage for a journey through the Old Testament, from

	Regnum Christi members Earnest and Barbara Bentley created the Primavera Foundation to spark a renaissance in art and to support vocations.

the creation to the fall of man, to our need for redemption and the promise of a redeemer, Christ.”

Entire episodes are dedicated to Mary, to the Epiphany, to Christ’s earthly ministry, his Passion, death and resurrection, St. Peter, and the saints. “Of course, our journey ends, as will all of our journeys, with a look at the Last Judgment,” she added.

The team was also granted a rare privilege to spend four days filming inside the Sistine Chapel—a permission never granted before to any other network.

“The Sistine Chapel is the backbone for the series because, within it, the stories of our salvation are contained so beautifully,” said EWTN President Michael Warsaw.

Primavera chairman and cofounder Earnest Bentley is thrilled with the program that resulted with the support of his foundation.

“Primavera Fine Art Foundation is committed to creating a renaissance of fine theological art in the Church,” Bentley said. “As our Art Advisor Father John Bartunek, LC, has said, ‘Every great work of art is a window between time and eternity. When we learn to contemplate art or come in contact with it, we actually come in contact with God, a little piece of His glory.’

“For this reason, the Foundation believes bringing the treasures of the Vatican Museums into the viewers’

	The first episode, “The Angels,” was filmed in the Sistine Chapel with Elizabeth Lev as the host.

living room is both a privilege and an opportunity to share with EWTN in this work for the Church.”

Episode 1: The Angels

Episode 1, a visual feast called “The Angels,” will be hosted by Elisabeth Lev, Professor of Christian Art and Architecture at Duquesne University’s Italian campus. Lev’s expert commentary provides viewers with an in-depth explanation of the artistic genius behind the representation of the Cherubim and Seraphim as represented in Costanza’s Sarcophagus, Rafael’s Madonna of Foligno, and many other masterpieces.

At the conclusion of each show, viewers also have the opportunity to see Father Mark Haydu, LC, International Coordinator of The Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums who gives a short presentation about one of the many gorgeous restoration projects being financed by the Patrons.

Episode 1 of “Catholic Canvas” will air 6:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Nov. 6 and 11 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Nov. 11.

The Primavera Fine Art Foundation

The Primavera Fine Art Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 by Earnest and Barbara Bentley, based in Norcross, Georgia. The foundation seeks to commission works of fine theological art as a means of creating an artistic renaissance in the Church and of supporting vocations to the priesthood and religious

	Artist Natalia Tsarkova presents her painting, Our Lady of Light, to Pope John Paul II.

life.

The first artist commissioned by the foundation was the acclaimed Russian painter Natalia Tsarkova, who was the official portrait painter of three popes: John Paul I, John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI.

The Primavera Foundation commissioned three paintings from Natalia Tsarkova on three topics: faith, hope, and love. The first of these three paintings, entitled “Our Lady of Light” depicts the five new mysteries of the Rosary, the Mysteries of Light, introduced by Pope John Paul II in 2002. After a brief stay in the papal library, the painting was moved to the Vatican, and then to the United States Capitol Building. It is currently on tour.

To learn more about the Primavera Foundation and its projects, visit the web site at www.primaverafineart.org.