Largest Virgin Mary Painting - Suzanne Kraus Mancuso sets world record

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY, USA -- With the help of about 20 friends and family, and the blessing of Pastor Tim Kennedy of Grace Lutheran Church in Yorktown, Suzanne Kraus Mancuso completed her 100 feet tall, 10 feet wide mural of the Virgin Mary, "Mural of Hope" - setting the new world record for the Largest Virgin Mary Painting in Folk Art.

Photo: Suzanne Kraus Mancuso of Putnam Valley painting theWorld's Largest Virgin Mary Painting in Folk Art.

"The only problem has been leaves blowing onto the canvass."

Putnam Valley artist Suzanne Kraus Mancuso says there are not enough positive things reported in the news these days.

"People need hope," she said.

Mancuso plans to show the mural at various churches in the area before selling it to raise money to pay off the remaining $120,000 on the church mortgage.

The previous Guinness World record for theLargest Virgin Mary Painting was an 800-square-foot mural that was done with spray paint in California.