Judith F. McManis

This huge dossal (10' x 21' vertical) illustrates the often overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit. Annually hung in place for Pentecost and the octave following, the dossal was created using a wide variety of fabrics fused to a muslin backing. The design includes dozens of curling, flaring, flame shapes as well as a few floating embers, some of which are the initials of those who worked on it. A signature appears in the lower right of the frontal in the form of a dove, acknowledging the Presence experienced by the artist and helpers during construction. A black-and-white photo of the piece appeared in a national church publication, prompting several letters to the artist from people especially affected by the design – and they hadn’t even seen it in color!