To celebrate the Nicene Creed's 1700th anniversary in the year 2025, Duke Divinity School has produced a self-guided art tour that reflects the school's commitment to orthodox, creedal, and scriptural teaching. 

The tour, available online for desktop and mobile view, features stops narrated by Duke Divinity School faculty from a variety of departments, disciplines, and programs.

The tour begins at the school's striking stained-glass Pentecost window with Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric describing the meaning and importance of the work, and includes reflections on art throughout the school by Professors Ellen Davis, Patrick Smith, Peter Casarella, Wylin Wilson, Nina Balmaceda, Jerusha Matsen Neal, Brent Strawn, and C. Kavin Rowe.

"When I was asked to reflect on my favorite pieces of Divinity art, I jumped at the chance to invite Rachel to share her vision for the collection and her process. Her respect for her subjects rang out in our conversation—and it reminded me again why art grounded in love is so vital in theological spaces."

Developed over twelve months by an internal content team, the tour is geared for both in-person and virtual audiences, providing new pathways to the building and the school and inviting fresh engagement with Duke Divinity's history and story.

"Not everyone knows that the portraits that line my office hallway were painted by Rachel Campbell, Professor of New Testament Douglas Campbell's spouse," said Neal.

"When I was asked to reflect on my favorite pieces of Divinity art, I jumped at the chance to invite Rachel to share her vision for the collection and her process. Her respect for her subjects rang out in our conversation—and it reminded me again why art grounded in love is so vital in theological spaces. Rachel's work reminds me what it means to be human and what it means to be church every time I walk down the hall. I'm so grateful."

The school plans to develop similar projects including tours related to the school's history and Centennial, as well as tours geared towards other audiences, including prospective students.

"The art tour is an immersive way to learn more about Duke Divinity School and our ecumenical and creedal orientation," said Katherine Smith, associate dean for strategic initiatives. "Through artistic, theological, and historical reflection, our faculty reflect on what has made Duke Divinity unique in both the past and the present."

Take the Tour