These are no finger paintings.
In February, 15 children at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave., took to brushes and paints to depict eight scenes leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. On Sunday, the church will host a showing of the art for the young artists and their admirers.
The eight paintings correspond with an initiative by Sandralyn Pierce, the director of children and family ministry, to use art to teach kids theology. In October, kiddos will learn to make pottery.
“God is our creator, and when any of us create, we are giving glory to God,” said Pierce, explaining the church’s emphasis on art.
Preschoolers to fifth-graders worked on the pieces, painting inside the lines of pre-sketched images. The interim rector blessed the paintings and the church used the collection in the Children’s Way of the Cross service on Good Friday.
Olivia Ramirez, owner of Brush and Bottle, was on hand during the painting process to teach about blending colors, holding brushes and using other techniques.
“When someone tries to do something different that they have never experienced before, and they have success in doing it, even if it may not be perfect, it gives them confidence and an experience and opens their eyes to other things,” Ramirez said.
Pierce said the paintings could be considered Christian icons because they direct the viewer to worship and pray. Kurt Anderson, an artist and member of the church, painted the main collection used in St. Philip’s’ Way of the Cross services.
“The stories of the Bible are a way to make God’s word understandable to the listener,” Anderson said. “What I’m trying to do as an artist is ... bring to life those stories and as such bring life to the messages those stories convey.”
