Exploring “Pop-Art Nun” Corita Kent’s New Home in Los Angeles

# Corita Kent and the Legacy of the Radical “Pop-Art Nun”

## Introduction
Los Angeles is now home to a new cultural landmark as the **Corita Art Center (CAC)** relocates to the city’s Arts District. This move offers the public access to *Corita Kent’s* revolutionary artwork and legacy. A socially conscious artist, educator, and former nun, **Sister Mary Corita Kent** blended spirituality, activism, and mass media in her colorful serigraphs. Her ability to merge religious themes with countercultural movements made her a unique and important figure in both the art world and social change movements.

## A New Home for Corita Kent’s Vision
The **Corita Art Center’s** new location is set to be:
– A **gallery and archive** showcasing Kent’s vast body of artistic work.
– A **community education space** offering programs and partnerships.
– A **cultural cornerstone** in Los Angeles for art and activism.

Public viewing is available on Saturdays, while school groups can attend by appointment on Fridays. Free admission ensures that her art and message remain accessible to everyone.

## Corita Kent: Artist, Educator, and Activist
Born **Frances Elizabeth Kent** in 1918, she joined the *Immaculate Heart of Mary* order at 18, becoming **Sister Mary Corita**. After studying and later teaching art at *Immaculate Heart College*, she developed a signature art style that embraced:
– **Vibrant screen prints** that combined pop culture with profound social messages.
– **Text-based compositions**, borrowing from newspapers, music, advertising, and religious scripture.
– **Themes of justice, peace, and love**, reflecting the turbulent 1960s.

Immaculate Heart College, often compared to the experimental *Black Mountain College*, fostered progressive ideas. Influential figures like **Charles Eames, Buckminster Fuller, and John Cage** visited and collaborated with the institution.

## Art as Protest and Hope
By the **mid-1960s**, Kent’s work became increasingly political, addressing themes of **civil rights, the Vietnam War, and social justice**. This transition can be seen in her notable series:

### **Heroes and Sheroes (1968–69)**
One of Kent’s most significant bodies of work, this **29-print series** celebrates figures like:
– **Martin Luther King Jr.** – Symbolizing nonviolent resistance.
– **Cesar Chavez** – Advocating for workers’ rights and dignity.
– **The Berrigan Brothers** – Catholic priests involved in anti-war activism.

These works, featuring **historical imagery, newspaper clippings, and spiritual messages**, blended art with activism. The **CAC’s inaugural exhibition** will showcase the *Heroes and Sheroes* series in its entirety for the first time in the U.S.

### **My People (1965)**
This print reproduced an *LA Times* front page about the **Watts Uprising**, adding a quote from a Civil Rights activist. It marked a turning point where Kent directly engaged with political discourse.

## A Legacy That Lives On
Kent left religious life in 1968, moving to **Boston**, where she continued creating art until her death in 1986. Despite being featured on the **cover of Newsweek (1967)** and designing the **best-selling “Love” stamp (1985)**, her presence in the mainstream art world has since faded. The **Corita Art Center** aims to reintroduce Los Angeles and the broader world to **her powerful messages of love, resistance, and joy**.

## Reviving Corita Kent’s Name
According to CAC’s **Executive Director Nellie Scott**, one of the organization’s key missions is expanding awareness about Kent’s contributions:
> “People often ask, ‘How did I not know about her?’ Our highest hope is that LA embraces her legacy.”

Through exhibitions, educational resources, and new initiatives, the **Corita Art Center** is positioned to restore Kent to the prominence she deserves as a pioneer in blending **art, advocacy, and faith**.

## Conclusion
With her **bold graphics, hopeful messages, and unwavering commitment to justice**, Corita Kent remains **more relevant than ever**. The Corita Art Center’s relocation provides an opportunity to explore and celebrate an **artistic rebel** whose work continues to inspire modern artists and activists alike. **As the world grapples with issues of inequality, Kent’s art reminds us that creativity can be a form of resistance and a force for change.**