Religious sculptures on campus

From the Sistine Chapel crafted by Michelangelo to the Nataraja sculptures standing in Indian cave temples, religious art have long served as significant symbols of faith and spirituality in various cultures and communities throughout history. Apart from being a physical embodiment of religious beliefs and connection to the divine, religious sculptures can also often inspire reverence, contemplation and thus further foster a stronger sense of community. At Santa Clara University, Jesuit values are constantly instilled and integrated from our day to day lives, especially placing an emphasis on education through faith. In particular, religious art, especially religious sculptures serve as tangible representations of spirituality and play a huge part in our campus landscaping. While students may be aware of the religious art located within the Mission Church, religious sculptures actually can be found in almost every part of our campus.

As a Jesuit college, the strategic and thoughtful placement of religious sculptures in outdoor and natural settings on campus grounds not only allows students and the public to experience the sculptures in a more immersive and interactive manner, but effectively enhances their spiritual significance and connectivity.