Getting the message across with good works
(ARTICLE IN THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE)
Reverend Robert Scott (left) and David Bebarfald placing a sculpture of Christ in 23 Victoria Ave's front window.
26.02.2008 By MARY BRYAN
A WANGANUI first next month will be an art exhibition aimed at taking the story of Easter to the people through the eyes of approximately 26 artists.
Titled The Journey of Easter, the exhibition is a combined project by a small group of local Christians and artists.
"The intent is to communicate in a language and in a way that engages with people who might not know the Gospel of Jesus' death and his resurrection," said Robert Scott, pastor of the Riverside Christian Church, who, with David Bebarfald, is spearheading the project.
It has the support of the combined churches of Wanganui and the city is believed to be only the second New Zealand centre to mount such an exhibition.
It will be along the lines of one run annually by an Auckland church at Rawene Centre, Birkenhead.
Wanganui artists with work in the show include Sue Cooke, Val Southcombe, Lyn Philips, Dori McCormick, Dawn McCormick, Rob Chamberlain, Mary Scott, Connie Booth, Felicity Rivers, Isiaha Barlow, Emma Cunningham and Whanganui MP Chester Borrows. Mr Borrows also will open the exhibition.
Mr Bebarfald, an ordained Church of Christ minister, said a trust was being established for the project to ensure its continuation.
It will be known as Mars Hill Trust, the name being taken from a place in Greece where St Paul preached.
"Art is a means by which ideas can be communicated. Art can be a means by which God is honoured and art is valued by many in Wanganui and the wider region," he said.
Former Sarjeant Gallery curator Paul Rayner is curating The Journey of Easter exhibition.
It will have a public gala opening on March 14 at 6pm at 23 Victoria Ave (opposite Poppies Bookshop) and will be open daily from March 15-24 from 10am to 4pm.
25 Artists Portray the Easter Story
This Easter, Wanganui will have the benefit of joining in the Easter journey through the eyes of approximately 26 artists who have banded together to mount an art exhibition entitled, The Journey of Easter.
To be mounted at 23 Victoria Avenue under the professional eye of curator Paul Rayner, the exhibition will be formally opened on Friday 14th March at 6:00pm by Chester Borrows MP, who is also one of the exhibitors. All are welcome to attend this opening ceremony.
Included among those exhibiting are Dori McCormick, Val Southcombe, Isiaha Barlow, and Sue Cooke along with many other well known and respected artists.
Pastor Robert Scott of the Riverside Christian Church says, "This event has the support of the combined churches of Wanganui. Churches are prone to ‘talk' too much, but with this art exhibitionwe are looking to an event where people will have space and time to quietly reflect on the Easter story".
This ambitious inaugural project is the culmination of months of planning by a small group of Wanganui Christians who are representative of a cross section of Wanganui's churches. They believe passionately that the Easter story needs to be told in every possible way and that the visual arts are a vital medium in this regard, as indeed has been the case over many centuries.
The exhibition will be open daily from Saturday 15 March to Monday 23rd March., from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.