The Baltimore Sun Architecture column: A monument to a pope and a green retreat for all

By Edward Gunts

Mar. 31, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
Baltimore native Joseph Sheppard has painted public figures including former President George H.W. Bush and filmmaker John Waters, and his portraits can be found in government buildings, churches and galleries.

But his latest work of art will be in the open for all to see: a 7-foot- tall bronze statue of the late Pope John Paul II.

Sheppard's statue will be the focal point of the Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden, a $1.5 million monument and contemplative space planned for the southwest corner of Charles and Franklin streets.

"It depicts the pope at the age he was when he visited Baltimore" in 1995, said Sheppard, who spent much of 2007 working alone on the sculpture at his studio in Pietrasanta, Italy. "It's a very important commission. ... I think it will be very visible."

Catholic leaders will break ground at 11 a.m. April 11 for the prayer garden, which is intended to complement the $32 million restoration and modernization of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary that was completed in November 2006.

The Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust, the nonprofit group that guided the basilica's restoration, will own and operate the garden, which is scheduled to be finished this fall.

"This garden provides a spiritual oasis in the city and complements a visit to the basilica," said Mark Potter, executive director of the trust. "It is a monument to one of the 20th century's most impressive figures. ... The man most likely will be a saint in the Catholic church."

Besides commemorating Karol Jozef Wojtyla, who was the spiritual leader of more than 1 billion Roman Catholics from 1978 to 2005, the garden is a response to the need for more green space in the city, Potter said.

Although the garden is named after the pope, Potter said, "it's open to all, and I imagine it will be used by all -- people of all faiths or of no faith."

The project has been controversial because it is planned for the former site of the Rochambeau apartments, a seven-story, Renaissance Revival building by Edward Glidden that was constructed about 1906 and razed in 2006.

Preservationists argued that the building should be saved as part of the Cathedral Hill historic district. But church leaders said it was not economically feasible to operate and that they wanted to use the property in concert with the basilica. The administration of then-Mayor Martin O'Malley ultimately issued a demolition permit, saying the building was not protected by local landmark status.

Designed by Mahan Rykiel Associates of Baltimore, with Scott Rykiel as principal in charge and Stephen Kelly as project manager, the prayer garden will be enclosed by the same sort of metal and masonry fence that surrounds the basilica grounds. Its entrance will be at the corner of Charles and Franklin streets. The garden will be maintained by the church staff and open daily, during the same hours as the basilica.

Besides the statue, elements will include a central lawn framed by brick pathways, benches, perennials, shrubs and shade trees. A low wall on the south side will bear an inscription about Maryland's role in religious history, taken from remarks the pope made at Baltimore's Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.

A large mesh scrim will hang on the east side of the Franklin Street garage, a wall that was exposed when the Rochambeau came down. Measuring roughly 60 feet by 40 feet, this Fiberglas screen will contain "supergraphic" images of flowers, as well as words from the pope about nature and the environment, designed by RTKL Associates.

Sheppard's sculpture will show the pope embracing a boy and a girl. Sheppard, 77, said the stance was inspired by a photo taken when the pope arrived at BWI Marshall Airport in 1995.

The artist had to work from photos because the pope died before the piece was commissioned. But Sheppard said he met the pope at the Vatican in the 1990s, when he presented a portrait of Archbishop John Foley, a Philadelphia native who served as the pope's communications director.

The sculpture will be set on a 2-foot-high granite base. The bronze figures have been cast and are awaiting shipment to the U.S. Sheppard said they will be visible through the fence to people walking or driving on Charles Street and will be illuminated at night.

The project is privately funded, and the trust is still raising money for it. Once it opens, the garden will be included on basilica tours and will be available as a gathering spot for tour groups and others. Potter said he expects it will be well used.

"It will give people an opportunity to take a breath within their day and take in its natural beauty, or take some time out for prayer and quiet reflection," he said. "How often do you get that experience downtown?"

Newstex ID: KRTB-0034-24133316