Osni Paiva, known for the elegance of his sculptures, transforms logs of cedar into images of devotion.  Sacred sculptures used for public and domestic devotions have the universal function to elevate individuals to spiritual experiences.  The most popular images of devotion in the Catholic Church are those of Christ; the different advocations of Virgin Mary; male and female saints and martyrs, as well as, guardian angels and archangels.

Osni’s sculptures are characterized by baroque dramatic expressions, realism and dynamic gestures.  His sacred images are either influenced by the dramatic Spanish baroque or by the sobriety and serenity typical of Portuguese religious sculptures.  To add realism to the images, Osni paints the exposed parts of the body to create a realistic appearance of skin. The fabric of the clothes are created by the combination of different colors and guilded patterns. The sculptures receive extra materials such as human hair, glass eyes, crystal for tears and ruby for drops of blood, to add dramatic appeal.

The interior of the churches are decorated with carved wooden altars and screens creating operatic stages for religious images.  The designs consist of a combination of curves and counter-curves bringing forward a dynamic and dramatic effect in which light and shadow emphasize the forms giving an appearance of mystery.

The three brothers Claúdio, Luiz Antônio and Rogério da Silva established the Atelier Nossa Senhora do Pilar specialized in the creation of liturgical furniture, oratories, and the construction of altars and retables richly decorated with carved elements.  This baroque tradition of elaborate wood carved altarpieces was established in Minas Gerais by the middle of the eighteenth century.

Biographies: Osni Paiva is a young sculptor who is nationally acclaimed as a master in the art of sacred sculpture.  He has been perfecting his art for more than 15 years and already has a large number of patrons from the clergy as well as private collectors.  Osni’s life-size sculptures are used in public celebrations during the Holy Week as essential art pieces to recreate original baroque manifestation of faith.

The Silva Brothers started their career as furniture makers but, for the past five years, they have opened a private business dedicated solely to the creation of objects for liturgical function. Their inventory of objects include Bible holders, bishop cathedra, screen altars, table altars, support for images, crowns, candle holders, chandeliers, and oratories.

Headed by Carlos Magno de Araujo and Edmilson Marques, Anima Conservação e Restauração is a nationally acclaimed restoration and conservation studio dedicated to the preservation of art and architecture. Anima's activities are mainly concentrated in the preservation of painting, sculpture and architectural monuments of colonial Minas Gerais. They have been responsible for major conservation projects all over Brazil.