Citizens Foundation honors Pacem in Terris with Seligmann Award

Sugar Loaf - The Orange County Citizens Foundation has selected Pacem in Terris in Warwick as the 2007 Seligmann Award recipient. The award is presented each year to an individual or organization that displays an unparalleled commitment to arts and culture in Orange County. It is named after Kurt Seligmann, the surrealist artist who lived with his wife, Arlette, in Sugar Loaf; she, in turn, bequeathed the Seligmann Homestead in Sugar Loaf to the Orange County Citizens Foundation. Pacem in Terris, (Peace on Earth) is an 18th century watermill that had served as an unofficial dump for residents nearby until the 1960s, at which time it was purchased and restored by the artist, Dr. Frederick Franck. The building houses some of the artist’s sculptures and stained glass. Chamber music concerts are offered there several times during the May through October season. The property also includes sculpture gardens and galleries, open to the public on weekends and holidays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Originally from the Netherlands, Franck became ab American citizen in 1945. He is known internationally for his artwork, his writing and for Pacem in Terris. Before his death last year, he had written more than 30 books. Many of his steel and wood sculptures stand in public spaces throughout the world, and his paintings and drawings are exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art. From 1958-1960, Franck served as an oral surgeon on the staff of the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Gabon where he founded a dental and oral surgery clinic. His wife, Claske, served as his surgical nurse. Franck later wrote “Days with Albert Schweitzer,” a book about his experiences working with Schweitzer containing many drawings of Africa and the doctor. In 1959, the Francks bought property in Warwick on the Wawayanda River. In the fall of 1962, Franck was inspired by the encyclical, “Pacem in Terris,” delivered by Pope John XXIII at the opening of the Second Vatican Council. He traveled to Rome and became the only artist to draw all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council. Pope John XXIII honored him with a medal of appreciation for the drawings. Returning to Warwick, the Francks purchased the former watermill and transformed it into an Oasis of Quiet and Beauty. Named Pacem in Terris, it is dedicated to Pope John XXIII, Dr. Albert Schweitzer, and the Buddhist sage Daisetz T. Suzuki. An additional sculpture garden is situated at a nearby property called The Dove. Franck died in June 2006 but his wife and son, Lukas, as well as a dedicated Board of Directors, have continued to keep Pacem in Terris open and active. This summer’s concert series has already begun. “Pacem in Terris provides a beautiful, serene environment for musical performances and personal reflection,” said Nancy Proyect, President of the Citizens Foundation. The Citizens Foundation is a membership-based public policy organization that advocates for the greater public good in Orange County. For more than 35 years, the Citizens Foundation has encouraged smart planning practices and a balance between growth and conservation to ensure a strong quality of life for residents. For more information about the Seligmann Award or for reservations to the Annual Meeting, please contact the Orange County Citizens Foundation at 845-469-9459.