Santuario de Nossa Senhora dos Ventos, The Annunciation in Stone:

How Walace Ferreira’s Sacred Sculpture Earned Him International Recognition at the Mondial Art Academia

Near the village of Lapinha da Serra, on the river bank of Sitio Jatoba, stands one of Brazil’s most evocative spiritual landscapes: the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Ventos. Among its moss‑covered rocks and sweeping winds rests a sculpture that feels as if it emerged from the earth itself — “Nossa Senhora dos Ventos”, the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, created by the Brazilian sculptor Walace Ferreira.

More than a devotional artwork, this sculpture represents a defining moment in the artist’s career. It was the piece that propelled him to international recognition, culminating in his appointment as Chevalier Académicien by the Mondial Art Academia (MAA) in 2016. Newly surfaced documentation — including his official MAA certificate and a catalog page featuring his work — confirms the significance of this achievement.

This is the story of the sculpture, the artist, and the honor that placed him on the global stage.

Walace Ferreira: A Sculptor Formed by the Baroque Soul of Minas Gerais

Born in Ouro Preto, the historic cradle of Brazilian baroque art, Walace Ferreira grew up surrounded by churches, sacred imagery, and the legacy of masters like Aleijadinho and Mestre Ataíde. This environment shaped his artistic sensibility from an early age.

Walace began sculpting at just seven years old. Over time, he developed a distinctive style rooted in the traditions of Minas Gerais but infused with contemporary emotional clarity. His preferred materials — soapstone, wood, and marble — reflect the region’s artisanal heritage.

His sculptures are known for:

• Dynamic, flowing drapery

• Serene, contemplative expressions

• Symbolic elements, such as multiple faces emerging from a single block

• Contrasts between rough and polished textures

These qualities make Walace one of the most compelling voices in contemporary Brazilian sacred art.

The Sculpture: “Nossa Senhora dos Ventos”

Installed permanently at the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Ventos, this sculpture captures the moment when Mary receives the divine message of the Annunciation — a scene central to Christian iconography. Walace’s interpretation is both deeply spiritual and artistically innovative.

Mary’s Expression and Gesture

Mary stands with her hands gently clasped near her chest, her face tilted downward in humility and contemplation. Walace avoids theatricality, choosing instead to portray the quiet interior moment when the divine touches the human.

The Movement of her clothing

The swirling clothing is one of the sculpture’s most striking features. It seems to move with the wind of Lapinha da Serra, symbolizing:

• The breath of the Holy Spirit

• The transformation unfolding within Mary

• The meeting of heaven and earth

This sense of movement is a hallmark of Walace’s style.

The Faces of Angels Emerging from the Base

At the base of the sculpture, several angel’s faces emerge from the stone — a recurring motif in Walace’s work. These faces may represent:

• Humanity witnessing the divine mystery

• Generations connected to Mary’s “yes”

• The spiritual world supporting the moment of revelation

This symbolic layering adds depth and complexity to the piece.

A Sculpture Integrated with Nature

Unlike traditional gallery settings, this sculpture stands upon a natural rock formation of a floating stone. The wind, light, rain, and vegetation interact with the artwork, making it feel alive. At the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Ventos, the sculpture becomes part of the landscape — a living presence in a sacred environment.

Documented Recognition: Walace Ferreira’s 2016 Appointment to the Mondial Art Academia

The Official Certificate: Chevalier Académicien (2016)

A framed certificate issued by the Mondial Art Academia confirms that on August 10, 2016, Walace Ferreira was formally elevated to the rank of:

Chevalier Académicien  (“Knight Academician”)

The certificate includes:

• His seat number (225)

• Signatures from the President and Co‑President

• The academy’s formal language of recognition and esteem

This document is definitive proof of Walace’s acceptance into the MAA — a prestigious honor reserved for artists of exceptional merit.

The MAA Catalog Page Featuring His Work

A second piece of evidence — a page from an official MAA catalog — features one of Walace’s major sacred sculptures, “Nossa Senhora dos Ventos” (Our Lady of the Winds), created in 2015.

The catalog lists:

• Material: Soapstone

• Height: 1.40 m

• Weight: 300 kg

• Artist: Walace Ferreira (Sculpteur)

• Brazilian nationality

• Contact information

• Page number: 117

This catalog entry demonstrates that Walace’s sacred sculptures were already being showcased internationally by the time he was admitted to the MAA.

 “Nossa Senhora dos Ventos, the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary”

1. The certificate confirms the date and rank of Walace’s acceptance into the MAA.

2. The catalog page shows the type of work the academy recognized — large, expressive sacred sculptures in soapstone.

3. The Annunciation sculpture matches this profile perfectly in scale, symbolism, and artistic maturity.

4. Walace has publicly stated that a major sacred sculpture earned him his MAA membership — and The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary fits this description more closely than any other known work from that period.

Taken together, the evidence strongly supports the conclusion that this sculpture was the key submission that earned Walace Ferreira his international title.

The Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Ventos: A Living Stage for Sacred Art

The Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Ventos is a unique spiritual site where art and nature coexist. Walace’s sculpture, positioned among natural rock formations, transforms the space into a place of reflection and pilgrimage.

The sculpture changes with the environment:

• Light shifts across its surfaces

• Rain deepens the color of the stone

• Moss and native orchids grow at its base

• The wind animates the drapery’s carved movement: the breath of the Holy Spirit.

This interaction makes the artwork feel alive — a sacred presence shaped by the landscape.

Walace Ferreira’s Legacy in Brazilian Sacred Art

Walace’s recognition by the Mondial Art Academia marked a significant milestone, but it also highlighted something larger: the ongoing vitality of sacred art in Minas Gerais. His work bridges:

• Tradition and modernity

• Local identity and global recognition

• Material craftsmanship and spiritual meaning

Nossa Senhora dos Ventos, the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary stands as one of his most powerful creations — a sculpture that speaks of humility, mystery, and the courage to embrace the unknown.

Conclusion

Walace Ferreira’s sculpture at the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Ventos is more than an artwork. It is a meeting point between the human and the divine, between stone and spirit, between Minas Gerais and the world. Supported by newly surfaced documentation from the Mondial Art Academia, the story of this sculpture becomes even more compelling — a testament to the power of sacred art and the enduring talent of a sculptor shaped by the mountains of Minas Gerais.