Art Dedication

Other acknowledgements include the contributions of: Mother Genevieve, Sr. Rose Michaeleen, Ruth Hancock, Sister Jeannine, Sister Sean, Sister Adrian, Robin Ranagan, Karin Smith, Wilmuth Boundy, Celeste Sepanek, Kathy Bourke, Sharon Allen, Louis Panero, Jose Maria Rodriguez, Danny, Pablo, Gustavo, Laurendo, Demik, Mann, Sammantio, Chris, and Paul 

“In order to facilitate the completion of this project, I employed the assistance of more than sixty people. Included in this estimate are students, teachers, nuns from the college, and other assorted persons ranging in age from eight to fifty years.” (Excerpt from R. Yanich’ s personal writing) 

"It seems that the cry of our times, and to our young people calls out for a going back to natural simple beauties". R.Yanich

Regi was a native of Detroit and moved to Florida in 1957. In south Florida, she was prominent in the Miami Jewish community as an artist and sculpturist, teacher, and Israeli folk dancing instructor.   She was also the Art Director for Temple Israel Religious School and Temple Emanuel Irving Lehrman Day School. Nationally, her work was included in shows at the Cranbrook Art Museum in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, the Chicago Art Institute, the Mint Museum in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the High Museum of Art, one of the nation’s leading art museums, located in Atlanta, Georgia.  

She graduated from the Chicago Fine Arts Institute, Wayne State University, Cranbrook School of Arts, and the University of Michigan.  

Regi’s life was tragically interrupted by a fatal car accident, leaving to mourn their loss and to celebrate her life, were her children, husband, other family members and friends. Her children, nephew and friends attended the art dedication ceremony. 

Regi Yanich at work in the Barry University Ceramics Studio

In November 1968, Regi was commissioned by Barry College to design and execute two ceramic murals for the new Weigand Center. “The only direction I ever got was ‘Regi, we want something beautiful.’  I can’t think of another building for which some décor was commissioned with no other directive save that it was to be beautiful.” R. Yanich. 

Dr. Giselle Rios  

Dr. Alan Mason 

Opening Remarks - Dr. Giselle Rios, Institute for Immigration Studies 

Invocation – Father Cristobal Torres, OP, DMin, University Chaplin 

Musical Interlude – Dr. Alan Mason, Retired Associate Professor of Music 

Welcoming Remarks – Dr. Mike Allen, President 

Guest Speaker – Dr. Andrea Greenbaum, Professor of English 

Unveiling/Dedication – Sara Kurz, Barry Student 

Special Remarks – Yael Yanich, Daughter of Artist 

Closing Blessing – Dr. Alan Mason, Retired Associate Professor of Music

from left to right: Yoav Yanich (Regi’s son), Father Cristobal, Dr. Giselle Rios (Director of the Institute of Immigration Studies), Yael Yanich (Regi’s daughter), Dr. Phyllis Scott (Director of J.E.D.I.), Dr. Mike All (University President), Carmi Plaut (Regi’s Nephew)