Sister Jody O'Neil Takes Part In 'tasty' Art Project

An email Sister of Providence Jody O’Neil received in October was all the Providence she needed.

Sister Jody’s longtime friend, Susan Tingley, had contacted her asking if she would be interested in taking part in the Coca-Cola Bottle Sculptures public-art project, a major part of the branding of Terre Haute as the birthplace of the Coca-Cola bottle.

Tingley, who serves as the Development Director for the Vigo County Historical Society & Museum, was taught by Sister Jody at St. Ann School in Terre Haute, and had thought of her former teacher when she learned of the project.

The project, initially inspired by the Coca-Cola Bottle Sculpture Committee, was to paint a fiberglass bottle – measuring nearly 6-feet tall and weighing 60-pounds. The bottles were created by Fiberglass Animals, based in Nebraska.

The creators of the project also specified that the Coca-Cola logo not appear on the bottles.

Each artist taking part in the project was matched with a sponsor. Sister Jody eventually elected to paint two of the bottles and was matched with the Terre Haute Regional Airport and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, her alma mater.

 “One of my first challenges was to mix blue tones to create Pomeroy Blue for the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College bottle,” she said. “Another was to expand my painting experience from acrylic painting on a flat surface to a three-dimensional bottle sculpture. This was the first time I have painted on a curve. It was difficult. However, I am pleased with both bottles.”