Newest Logan County Arts show unlocks a spiritual experience

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[April 11, 2015]  LINCOLN - Thursday evening, the Lincoln Art Institute hosted the April opening of Logan County Arts exhibit “Religious and Spiritual Inspirations” with a reception in the gallery in downtown Lincoln. Members of Logan County Arts used several media to express their innermost feelings about a connection with religion and spirituality. The range of subject matter clearly demonstrated that each individual relates to spirituality in a unique manner.

When asked why this theme was selected for Logan County Arts monthly exhibit, Lincoln artist Mitch Douglas said “religion and spirituality, not necessarily the same thing, are very personal points of view. No subject we consider religious or spiritual will inspire the same response in two people. Even God means different things to different people. This exhibit is all about individualism, one’s personal point of view.”

Douglas' point of view was evident in the range of subjects expressed.

Lincoln Art Institute owner and host for the evening’s well attended event, Moses Pinkerton, chose to express his spirituality with a painting of Buddha. “My take on the Buddha is more spiritual than religious. Just thinking about Buddha creates a feeling of increased compassion and serenity. To me, Buddha stresses the peaceful connection between people,” he said. Moses stressed that he was raised in a western oriented religion, so Buddhism and its tenets were a new experience for him. The broad brush strokes of the painting are deliberate. Pinkerton said “I like to paint with broad brush strokes. That movement of brush on canvas creates a very serene mood for me.” And, of course, a spiritual moment.
 


New Logan County Arts member Patsie Hopkins from Sherman created a church and sky painting. Asked what she was trying to tell a viewer, she replied that “The lone country church with a receding thunder storm in the background was a powerful image for me, both of which speak to God’s creation.” Patsie’s husband Ed said he was very grateful for the open and welcoming nature of Logan County Arts that inspired his wife to return to her long time love of painting. Logan County Arts continues to add members from central Illinois. He also remarked on the beautiful art gallery that serves as home to the continuing series of events, a definite asset to the Lincoln community courtesy of Moses Pinkerton.

Artist Cheryl Spove’s complex work “The Horseback Ride” includes all of the aspects of her life that give her pleasure, spirituality. Surrounding a poem by Grace Greenwood that Cheryl applied in a precise calligraphy, are parts of life that she finds especially important. The horse is one theme that holds particular resonance for her, but the rider standing, dancing perhaps on the horse’s back feeling the flow of the air as the horse gallops, speaks to the freedom that Spove feels when riding. Each line of the poem is not a unique part of the piece, but flows from and into the surrounding illustration. It is a piece of many layers, very complex. Cheryl spoke of preparing the paper for the calligraphy and applying the surrounding illustration as part of a carefully choreographed process. She seemed to indicate that not only is the finished product representative of her spiritual nature, but the process of creating it also represents her spirituality.

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One aspect of the art show that may not be apparent to a casual viewer is the placement of the art in the gallery. The members gathered earlier this week to hang the show, and much thought was given to where each piece should go. The visitor to the gallery, in addition to a close inspection of individual pieces, should step back and look at a large section of wall to see how the works blend and flow into one another. No area is more apparent than the two large works by Sheralyn Bolton and three smaller ones by Barb Slobaugh. The placement of these in the middle section of the wall is a work of art in itself.

Religious and Spiritual Inspiration will run through May 2 at the Lincoln Art Institute. A person wishing to see the show can phone the LCA and arrange a time for a visit. Moses may be reached at 217-651-8355.

New art shows are planned monthly for the rest of the year. The next one is in May and will feature the art created by students at Lincoln High School. This show is turning into an annual event. Students of art instructor Jen Grimaldi and industrial arts teacher Jason Hoffman will be on display. If past high school shows are any indication, this one will be another exciting event showcasing the works of Lincoln’s talented young artists.

[Curt Fox]

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