Resurrection of Christ Glass Mural at St. Thomas More Catholic Church - Sarasota, Florida

Sacred art has the unique ability to transform a space, inviting reflection, prayer, and a deeper connection with faith. We were honored to design, fabricate, and install the Resurrection of Christ glass mural for St. Thomas More Catholic Church, creating a permanent work of art that serves as the centerpiece of the church’s Memorial Garden.

Measuring approximately 8 feet by 10 feet, the mural depicts the risen Christ emerging triumphantly from the tomb, surrounded by two kneeling angels. Installed outdoors against a white stucco wall, the artwork was carefully designed to complement both the architecture of the church and the peaceful landscape that surrounds it.

Following its completion, the Resurrection of Christ glass mural became the centerpiece of the renovated Mary’s Memorial Garden at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Sarasota. The garden was blessed and dedicated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane during a special diocesan ceremony in May 2026.

https://dioceseofvenice.org/memorial-garden-blessed-and-dedicated-in-sarasota

Designed for Its Surroundings

This piece sits within the church’s Memorial Garden, surrounded by towering pine trees, native Florida palms, and quiet spaces for prayer and remembrance. Rather than treating the landscape as a backdrop, we designed the environment into the artwork itself.

The trees, foliage, and natural colors within the mural echo the greenery beyond the wall, creating a seamless visual connection between the artwork and its surroundings. It was important to us that the mural never felt like something simply attached to a building. Instead, it needed to feel as though it naturally belonged in the garden, becoming part of the space where parishioners gather to reflect and remember loved ones.

As sunlight changes throughout the day, the glass comes alive with shifting highlights and subtle reflections, giving the mural a different character from morning through evening.

From Concept to Completion

Every commission begins with listening. Working closely with the parish, we developed a design that reflected the spiritual significance of Christ’s Resurrection while respecting the character of the church and its Memorial Garden.

Once the design was finalized, fabrication began in our Bonita Springs, Florida studio, where every stage of the project was completed by hand. From preparing the full scale artwork to carefully cutting, shaping, and assembling each individual piece of glass, every detail received the attention that only handcrafted work can provide.

Built to Endure Florida’s Climate

Creating architectural glass artwork for an outdoor environment is very different from producing a piece intended for an interior church sanctuary.

Florida’s climate presents unique challenges, including intense sunlight, high humidity, heavy seasonal rains, and significant temperature changes throughout the year. Every component of the mural was selected with long term durability in mind.

The artwork was fabricated using the Direct Technique, with each individually hand cut piece of glass permanently bonded to a rigid, weather resistant substrate engineered specifically for exterior applications. High performance flexible adhesives allow the artwork to naturally expand and contract with changing temperatures while maintaining long term structural stability.

Most visitors simply see a beautiful work of sacred art. Behind that beauty is an enormous amount of engineering, craftsmanship, and planning designed to ensure the mural will continue inspiring future generations.

A Tradition That Lives On

For centuries, churches around the world have used glass to tell stories of faith, bringing Scripture to life through light, color, and craftsmanship. While traditional stained glass windows transform interior spaces, architectural glass murals offer a contemporary way to continue that same artistic tradition outdoors.

The Resurrection of Christ glass mural stands as a lasting symbol of hope, renewal, and the promise of eternal life. More than an architectural feature, it has become part of the Memorial Garden itself, offering parishioners and visitors a place to pause, pray, and reflect.

At Apperlo Art, we believe sacred art should do more than decorate a building. It should tell a meaningful story, enrich the spiritual life of a community, and become part of a church’s legacy for generations to come.