Page 26 - Western Diocese Annual 2023

DIOCESE OF WESTERN AMERICA
Saved by Beauty, Dostoevsky and America, San Francisco Exhibit
OSaved by Beauty: Dostoevsky and Bay Area
n Saturday evening, September 24th, an art exhibition “Saved by Beauty—Dostoevsky and America” was held at the Russian Cen-
ter of San Francisco, which was founded in 1939 by Russian immigrants as a focal point for the preser- vation of their rich cultural heritage. The exhibition showcased more than 50 paintings dedicated to Dostoevsky in honor of his 200th birth Anniversary from the painters of the visual group “OCHRA”. They have attempted to visually express the world of Dostoyevsky and his heroes through their art. Along with their works, more than 30 paintings by our very own Bishop Maxim were exhibited as well. Each guest received a special full color 54 pages cat- alog dedicated to the exhibition.
Bishop Maxim is a man of Renaissance gifts and God endowed him with many talents. Like the Greek King Midas, who turned everything he touched into gold, Bishop Maxim turned everything he painted into beauty. His paintings give us a van- ishing, almost forgotten world, full of nostalgia, love and beauty.
A pleasant evening attracted many Bay Area res- idents and guests, with the program being hosted by Fr. Djurica Gordic from St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Cathedral. Bishop Maxim greeted the guests and pointed out details in the paintings on the walls that show Dostoevsky, describing him as “a man dressed in flesh and blood, who lives, suffers, falls and rises.”
Following his Grace’s remarks, the musical pro- gram was performed by Serbian opera singer Bojan
24