In addition to our beautiful Gloria Dei music program, Gloria Dei is blessed to have an Art Committee that helps us uphold our guiding principle: Rooted in Beauty – we seek transformation through music and art. We also have an Art Gallery, in our lower level, and encourage you to take time to explore the exhibits and displays.

Our Art Committee exhibits art with the mission to enhance our spiritual growth and expand our faith as we experience the transcendent power of the arts. Learn more about the Art Committee’s work and our collections in the February 2019 Guide feature article. This Gloria Dei blog also showcases some of our art.

Thank you to our Art Committee members Susan Gangl and Tami Wold (co-chairs); Mona Ahlf, Robin Cerio, Tina Fahnestock, Paula Hutchinson, Liz Knutson, Bettye Olson, June Peterson and Jeanne Wiger (members); and Timothy Strand (staff liaison). In 2019, the committee shared much beauty with us, some listed below.

Exhibits

January-February: Jeanne Kosfeld’s paintings of Saint Paul buildings, familiar to many of us who lived in or near here for any length of time. In those cases, the art may have simply reflected the viewers’ own stories and experiences of local venues. One of the works featured Gloria Dei.

March-May: Sandra Brick’s “Lest We Forget” exhibit included textile constructions that incorporated the moving stories of her husband Fred Amram’s escape from the Holocaust – further illumined by a Sunday Forum with Sandra and Fred.

September-December: The Textile Show showcased church members’ handiwork and the stories behind their pieces.

Acquisitions

January: New light fixtures and an improved picture-hanging system in Gloria Dei’s Art Gallery. Donations from two Gloria Dei members offset the costs, and a committee member installed it all. The Art Committee is most grateful for this wonderful gift.

March: Three Janet McKenzie photographic prints offer culturally-inclusive representations of Biblical subjects.

May: Six crosses from the Luther Seminary’s Diversity Collection. Internationally known Saint Paul artist James Quentin Young created these pieces from found objects that offer new perspectives on the meaning of the cross.

Events:

April-May: Four committee members led first-ever tours of our art collection for Sunday School classes in grades 1-4.

October: Two committee members decorated a car at the church’s first-ever Trunk or Treat event. They used a Dia de los Muertos theme and handed out candy and Dia coloring sheets.

Art Committee members Susan Gangl and Mona Ahlf at Gloria Dei’s first-ever Trunk or Treat in October 2019.