Annual Fra Angelico Award

The Fra Angelico Award is the highest honor that the DIA bestows on one of its members. Originally the Award was carved in alabaster by Phyllis Mrozinski OP. Eventually the DIA commissioned Phyllis to cast it in bronze and clearly depict the Dominican Friar and artist, Fra Angelico. This later version sits on a bronze base with a paintbrush worked into the design to hold the medallion in an upright position.

The Fra Angelico Award is presented every year to a DIA artist who exemplifies Fra Angelico’s dedication to furthering the Holy Preaching through art.

Criteria used for this designation:

• the artist’s work is of the highest quality in his or her discipline
• it is highly honored in artistic circles
• the artist exemplifies the ideals of the DIA

2011 Fra Angelico Award Recipient

Sr. Anita Smisek, OP
Musicianship

Anita Smisek, OP received the DIS'S highest award for her outstanding accomplishments in every aspect of professional musicianship: vocalist, composer, choral director, educator, and instrumental performer on piano, organ, guitar and harp.

Anita has relaeased many of her performances and compositions on CDs. A graduate of Rosary College with an M.A. in Musis History and Liturgy from the University of Minnesota. Anita is recognized nationally for her work with the US Pastoral Musicians Association. A founder and past board member of the DIS, this Sinsinawa Dominican has promoted other Dominican musicians by publishing their works through Alliance Publications.

Under a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Anita researched music published in the Czech Republic and worked with Dominican Sisters there to retreive Czech music hidden during the Communist regime. In 1995, The Czech community honored Anita with that nation's highest award. The Order of Knights of Comenius. Anita was knighted for her contributions as teacher, translator, researcher, and restorer of long-forgotten music. The Fra Angelico Award, Anita insists, means as much to her as her knighthood.