A whole new Tree of Life

In more than three decades of designing wood and textile artworks, artist Catherine Kapikian said she has never once set needle to canvas.

Instead, she invites volunteers to stitch together her community-based projects, and yesterday more than a dozen university students, faculty and staff members signed on to create a 254-square-foot Tree of Life to be installed at the Memorial Chapel next semester.

Each volunteer will follow a detailed guide to hand-stitch a leaf pattern on canvas, and Kapikian, who presented a model of the design at Stamp Student Union yesterday, said the experience is often moving for participants.

"People who've participated … are very surprised in the end at feeling enormous pride over what they have created, and they want to keep coming back to bring their friends, their family," she said. "That, I think, is probably the most enduring part of it."

Stamp Student Union Director Marsha Guenzler-Stevens said she approached Kapikian about two years ago to commission the piece, which was funded entirely by a "generous gift" from Lutheran Campus Ministry Chaplain Rev. Elizabeth Platz. Platz, the Lutheran Church's first-ever female pastor, will be retiring this semester after serving more than 40 years in her post.

"The piece will be in honor of her work and dedication to the university," Guenzler-Stevens said.

Some students said yesterday's display caught their attention and inspired them to volunteer despite having little to no experience with needlepoint or stitching.

"It's just really pretty, and it would be nice to say I made a part of it," freshman biology major Judy Li said.

Others said they connected with the deeper meaning behind the design, which university officials said should help foster community on the campus because it embraces symbols present in multiple religions.

As Kapikian explained, the 52-needlepoint panels comprising the tree's leaves represent that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

"It's the same for people," senior biology and Persian major Aviva Khaldar said. "People who work together can do more than they do individually, and in the end you have something beautiful."

But following three informational sessions on the Tree of Life of project, Stamp officials still face the challenging task of recruiting enough students and members of the university community to stitch all 52 panels.

"I just hope we get enough volunteers to help make it happen," said Donna Lim, Stamp's senior assistant director of programs. "I feel like we'll be doing a piece during our staff meetings or something."

Some staff members said they were immediately drawn to the project — which will be installed in the West Chapel — because its location holds special meaning for them.

Facilities Management Human Resources Manager Mariellen Clarke, for instance, held her wedding at the West Chapel two years after she graduated from this university.

"I like the idea of leaving a lasting mark there," she said. "And it will be something fun to do."

And although the Memorial Chapel was updated more than two years ago with the construction of a labyrinth and the Garden of Reflection and Remembrance, some staff members said the West Chapel has been neglected until now.

"I just feel dragged down when I'm in there, and other people might feel that way and not even know why," said Karen Rowe, the music director of the Episcopal/Anglican Campus Ministry. "It has been such a dull space, and this is going to make it so much more beautiful."

lurye@umdbk.com