Tulane Catholic Center

Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

At Tulane University in New Orleans, the Chapel of St. Martin de Porres in the Fr. Val Ambrose MicInnes, O.P. Center for Catholic Life is a gathering space for worship and prayer. During construction, the University reached out to Conrad Schmitt Studios, Inc. to develop and produce meaningful and inspiring artwork to enhance the 140-seat chapel. The design intent was to mindfully enhance the space and foster an environment for prayer and reflection. The vibrant, hand-painted mural was inspired by the more modern Christian mural designs from the 20s and 30s and features a three-dimensional carved wood corpus with polychrome glazing. The mural features St. Martin de Porres, patron saint of racial harmony. “The chapel will be a space of refuge and transcendent beauty for all those at Tulane who seek an encounter with God. Tulanians for many generations to come will find a place here to set aside the cares of the world and encounter the beauty of God through art, light, prayer, music and the sacred liturgy,” said Fr. Thomas Schaefgen, chaplain of Tulane Catholic Center. CSS artisans also designed, created, and installed seven stained glass windows which harmonize with the mural and add color and texture to this important space.