- Artist Tina Cantelmi's new collection of paintings benefits the Judith Adele Agentis Foundation
- The foundation provides meals to hospice patients and their families
- The artwork is on display at Apollo Grill in Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Artist Tina Cantelmi's new work aims to help families cope with the loss of a family member, one painting — and meal — at a time.
Her latest exhibition, "Glorious Places" is currently on display at the Apollo Grill through Jan. 2.
All proceeds from the 16-piece collection benefit the Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation, or JAACF, a nonprofit that provides restaurant-style meals to nursing staff, hospice patients and their families.
"Honor and privilege'
Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation was founded by her husband, Bob Agentis in 2013, and works primarily with the staff from St. Luke's University Health Network's hospice on Black River Road in Lower Saucon Township.
Agentis started the nonprofit after his wife, Judith, who was a client at the facility, had sadly passed a month after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2013.
"One thing that I had noticed was that there was no food in the kitchen, only small things like jellos and pudding," Agentis said. "Even after Judith's passing, I still came and delivered meals every Thursday."
Before COVID toppled the restaurant industry, Agentis said he had about 50 restaurants that would donate meals, which he would deliver to St. Luke's Hospice weekly, and on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
"We COVID it became harder for the restaurants to participate. Some shut down, some of them lost employees," he said. "We had to start all over again. We are working with about 13 restaurants now."
Along with Apollo Grill, other participating businesses are Melt in Center Valley, Kingfish American Bistro and Wine Bar in Bethlehem Township, Beck's Land and Sea House in Bushkill Township, Westgate Pizza in Bethlehem, and the Shelby in Lower Macungie Township.
Over the years, JAACF has branched out and now has a scholarship fund for future hospice nursing students, they have awarded 12 to date. In 2020, it established the JAACF Palliative Care Education and Fellowship Program at St. Luke's University Health Network.
The fellowship provides resources for St. Luke's nurses to participate in professional certification programs, attend conferences and seminars, and earn continuing education credits in the field of palliative care. Currently, three nurses are pursuing their Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing Certification with support from a fellowship.
"Not only have we provided about 22,000 meals over the year, but it's been a great journey. I got to meet a lot of wonderful people," Agentis said. "I often sit with some of the families of patients and pray if they want that. It's a honor and a privilege that they allow you in."
Inspired by her own loss
Cantelmi has been painting since the 80s.
Although she began creating a more celestial style of art after the death of her mother, Lilian in 2017.
Painting became a physical release of emotion as she mourned the loss.
In turn, her art took on a celestial presence — meant to reflect an uplifting memory or place.
"I feel like our culture isn't really good at death and I really wanted to explore that more. In other cultures, even the contemporary and modern art has these religious themes," Cantelmi said.
"I grew up Catholic, so I thought, why am I not doing that? My art has been moving in a direction that is more sacred. It is becoming more open and spiritual."
From the abstract images and shadows to the hues of orange and purple, every stroke represents something meaningful to the artist.
Orange and purple have religious connotations in both Eastern and Western religions, she said.
For instance, in her painting "Milk and Honey" Cantelmi uses orange to fill the sky with a large sunset that contains a "clairvoyant" message.
In "Floating Flowers," the purple images are meant to portray a spirit "moving up in the universe," as if it is levitating.
"Wing and a Prayer" which measures 48 inches by 64 inches, is among the brightest of her works and the first painting patrons see when they walk into the restaurant.
"It speaks of the personal prayers of people worldwide."
To learn more about JAACF, click here.
