Art and Heritage Place: Whitby Gift Shop & Haehn Museum

Current Exhibit

“By the Work of Her Hands”
The Art of Sister Dennis Frandrup

The 2022 exhibit celebrates the vast array of art forms mastered by the hands of Sister Dennis Frandrup. Respected by colleagues, admired by her students of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, and recognized by other artists, S. Dennis has been producing art for over 50 years. In this exciting exhibit, the teacher and artist come together to offer beauty to a weary world.

The exhibit is open and runs through Friday, December 23, 2022.

A Conversation Between Sister Dennis Frandrup and Tanya Gertz

Sister Dennis Frandrup sat down with Tanya Gertz, executive director of Fine Arts Programming at the College of Saint Benedict and longtime friend, to talk all about art! This video shares a few small highlights of their conversation. To enjoy the full chat session, visit the exhibit at the Art and Heritage Place.

From the Monastery Museum

As spring finally arrives, nature celebrates with new growth and new birth. The museum has a fascinating set of three tiny books titled “New Borns.” The charming set of miniatures was created in the early 1990s by Sister Ruth Nierengarten (1925–2013). Always fascinated by babies (both human and animal), S. Ruth was a gifted calligrapher, sketch artist, and creator of whimsical cartoons. She was also a solid pillar in the creation and staffing of the monastery’s Art and Heritage Place, which opened in 2000. Her meticulous labels and maps are evident throughout the Haehn Museum.

About the Haehn Museum

The Haehn Museum is home to nearly 7,000 artifacts, dating back to 1857, which document the lives and ministries of the Sisters of Saint Benedict. Exhibits capture and portray the strong cultural, social and religious influence the Benedictine sisters have had in their ministries locally, statewide, nationally and internationally, both past and present. The museum was named after Sylvester and Jacquie Haehn, who were major donors for its construction.

Since the opening of the Art and Heritage Place, visitors have come from all 50 United States and approximately 60 countries. Most of the visitors are from Minnesota and find they learn something new about the sisters and the monastery with each visit. School groups, college classes, adult groups, organizations and individuals are welcome. Visits outside regular hours are arranged, as requested. Come, join us!

Contact

For more information, contact:

Moira Wild, OSB
Director of the Haehn Museum
(320) 363-7098
mwild@csbsju.edu