Galesburg High School Pictures

Lonnie Stewart was complimented for his artistic talents with a front page article in the Peoria Journal Star, August 24, 2003. He also appeared on Peoria's PBS Channel 47. A humble man with a quick smile and a quicker wit. He has met Pope John Paul II, Princess Diana, spent several weeks in Calcutta living and working with Mother Teresa. He not only has painted portraits of these famous people, he also has sculptured bronze statues of Mother Teresa, Ronald Reagan and one of his latest works is three large bronze statues for the new Grand Prairie Mall. Lonnie's art spans nearly five decades with works hanging in galleries around the world. Lonnie has lived in Peoria most of his life. Lonnie Eugene Stewart, internationally known and respected artist and sculptor, our classmate at GHS. We hope to see Lonnie at our 45th Class Reunion.

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Lonnie strip of pictures Lonnie

Peoria artist remembers

his time with pope

Saturday, April 9, 2005

By MICHAEL MILLER

of the Journal Star

PEORIA - Lonnie Stewart said his time with Pope John Paul II in 1990 "was one of the most magnificent experiences of my life."

The Peoria artist and sculptor had been commissioned by a video company to do a painting of the pontiff, the art to be used for the packaging of a video tape about the pope.

Sitting in the front row at an audience with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, Stewart sketched the pontiff. But as he worked, the Peoria artist and sculptor said Friday, he noticed a sculpture of the ascension of Jesus behind the pope. Jesus is shown in the contemporary sculpture with upraised hands, reminding Stewart of John Paul II's popular gesture.

"My concept actually changed while I was sitting there," Stewart said.

Now deciding to show the pope with upraised arms and open hands, Stewart met with the pontiff and discussed the concept with him.

"He liked the idea because that sculpture was a favorite" of his, Stewart said.

But there would be more to his time with the pope.

"He blessed me, and also blessed the painting," Stewart said. "I was actually very touched and flattered that he took such an interest in my work by the questions he asked me.

"He was asking me why I had changed my concept. I told him I was overpowered by the similarities of his famous gesture" with the sculpture.

"He was pleased with that," Stewart said.

And Pope John Paul II also wanted to know more about Stewart.

"That was the amazing thing about this pope," said Stewart, who isn't Catholic. "He was humble and yet so powerful and great.

"The thing about John Paul II that impressed me so much initially was his power and strength but also his kindness and compassion," the artist said. "I was told that I would feel that, and it was so true. He was such a spiritual person."

Stewart didn't have much contact with John Paul II after that meeting during the week he was at the Vatican, he said. He returned to Peoria and did the 60-inch-high painting that would be titled "Threshold of Hope," eventually hearing that the pope "was very pleased with the painting."

Later, John Paul II sent Stewart a rosary of sterling silver and onyx modeled on the crosier, or staff, that the pope carried.

"I do treasure it forever," Stewart said.

That painting and one that Stewart did of Mother Teresa in 1996 ultimately were bought by the Rev. Donald McGuire, spiritual director of the famous Missionaries of Charity order, and are being used at retreats around the country, Stewart said.

The artist also is known for his sculpture of Mother Teresa, which sits between St. Mary's Cathedral and the bishop's home on Northeast Madison Avenue.

"It's a wonderful thing that he's done what he's done with his life and affected so many people," Stewart said of the pope. "I just feel that I'm so privileged to have met him, one of the great figures in our world history."