About Cathy Abbott

During a particularly challenging time in her life as a corporate executive, Cathy took parent-child art classes with her young sons at the Glassell School of Art in Houston. The experience led her to begin taking art classes and to aspire to become an artist.

After 27 years in the energy business, Cathy went to seminary in 2003. She became fascinated with icons: studying them, researching them, and amassing a substantial book and icon collection. Her passion for icons eventually led her to travel to Ethiopia and Russia to see them in their native cultures. A year-long collaboration with a stained-glass artist in seminary developed her skills.

As a pastor, Cathy used the arts extensively in weekly worship, using visuals to illustrate and enhance the worship experience.  Creating an art exhibition space, she curated at least ten shows of local artists and photographers.  She continued to expand her repertoire with workshops at local art institutions and the Penland School of Craft.

From 2008-2020, the focus of Cathy’s art was inspired by Ethiopian icons: their ancient roots in actual spiritual practice stimulate her connection to the divine.  After retiring from the ministry, she fulfilled her long-time dream of doing art full time. A month-long art residency at the Monastery of St. Gertrude allowed Cathy to incorporate Joomchi and cutting and folding techniques into my icon making.

During the pandemic, Cathy’s art practice changed as she reflected on the grief and suffering of Covid-19, as well as the racial injustices revealed by it. Her work grew larger, into tapestries, and she developed series based upon where she finds light in the midst of this darkness. Fabric from clothes her mother made became a language of relationship and care. She is experimenting with the properties of Joomchi which allow it to be cast into three dimensional shapes. Cathy’s hope is that through these material objects, the viewer will experience hope and healing, in the midst of a broken world.