Kennett Square artist Neilson Carlin has been commissioned to create the focal artwork for the Eighth World Meeting of Families to be held in Philadelphia from Sept. 22 to 27, 2015.

Carlin was contacted by Bishop John McIntyre and commissioned by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to create a painting of the Holy Family for the 2015 World Meeting of Families. The oil painting will be reproduced for all promotion and advertising, both national and international. It will be on display during the meeting festivities and on permanent display afterward in the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.

“I'm honored by the selection, of course,” Carlin said, “but mostly humbled by the opportunity to use my talents to serve the church and my fellow Catholics at such a tremendous convocation.”

The World Meeting of Families, with the theme “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive,” is expected to draw more than one million people to Philadelphia and reach a global audience. A public unveiling of the artwork is planned for September 2014.

Neilson Carlin has 20 years of experience in both the commercial and fine arts. His emphasis is portrait and figurative painting, and he specializes in large-scale commission work for the Catholic church. In addition to his commissioned work, Carlin has taught for more than 15 years at his school, Studio Rilievo School of Painting, in Kennett Square. 

Visit www.neilsoncarlin.com for more information.