Vatican Art Collection To Arrive In Cleveland In May

AP — VATICAN ART COLLECTION TO ARRIVE IN CLEVELAND IN MAY

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CLEVELAND (AP) — Some of the earliest known depictions of Jesus are among the items in a collection of Vatican art and artifacts that will be on view in the city next year.

A reliquary containing bone fragments of St Peter and personal belongings of Michelangelo are also among the 200 items slated for exhibit at the Western Reserve Historical Society in May.

“They [the Vatican] don’t let their treasures out very often. So when they put them out on display, it’s quite an extraordinary experience,’’ said historical society board chairman Gary Adams.

“Vatican Splendors from St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Swiss Guard’’ will stop at only two other cities during its North American tour. The show will arrive in Cleveland after its debut in St Petersburg, Fla. The exhibit will run here from May 31 to September 7.

“This exhibit is artifact-rich and also has a great historical element that makes it a good fit for us,’’ said Angie Cochenour, director of sales and marketing for the historical society.

“We’re very excited because it will bring a lot of out-of-town visitors, and that’s a nice way for a nonprofit institution to have an economic impact on its community.’’

She said Evergreen Exhibitions, which produces the Vatican exhibit, had heard about the society’s success with its previous exhibit on Princess Diana.

“They liked our Midwestern location and the building’s ability to provide a positive visitor experience,’’ she said.

The historical society had negotiated for months to host the exhibit and needed the approval of the Vatican and the Cleveland Catholic Diocese and support from the local Catholic community.

But Adams said the event is not just for Catholics.

Civic leaders are excited at the prospect of the show’s impact. Organizers expect it will draw 140,000 visitors.

“This exhibit has the potential to be one of our top draws for Cleveland tourism for 2008,’’ Positively Cleveland President Dennis Roche said. “It just adds to the museum’s history of bringing great exhibits here.’’