Works of Faith art show reaches beyond Christianity

Where others might see just an ordinary yellow pencil, Sherry Waters envisions the backbone of a Christian cross.

“I ran across this quote from Mother Teresa: ‘I am but a pencil in the hand of God.’ Imagine (her) a common, everyday tool. Where does that put us?” asks Waters, retired Wichita school district art teacher who is one of 12 local and regional artists participating in the annual Works of Faith show at Karg Art Glass in Kechi.

“(It puts us) in the race, no matter our size, our ethnicity, our social status, our age. It’s about our availability. It’s that simple,” Waters says of the inspiration that helped her create the “Mother Teresa Cross,” a polished wooden framework studded with dozens of precisely regimented rows of yellow pencil points, sharp and ready to be of service.

Waters can detail similar inspirations for two other crosses of hers in the show: One filled with jumbled square-cut, crucifixion-type nails and one inlaid with strands of precisely crossed barbed wire. The nails, she says, are heavy and durable and, affixed to the cross, remind her of Jesus’ sacrifice. As for the wire, she doesn’t think of what it keeps out, but, rather, what it protects within.

“That is what we are – protected by the one who died on the cross for us,” she says.

Other artists in the show used their faith inspirations to create works in blown glass, fused glass, oil painting, photography, enameled copper, beading, woodworking, jewelry and laser-cut metal. Individual pieces number well over 150 and range from small enough to fit into a palm to medium-sized centerpieces to large enough to cover a good chunk of wall.

All pieces will be for sale and range from around $10 for metal cut-outs to a $6,000 painting.

Other faiths

For the first time, the show – an annual event that goes back more than a decade – reaches beyond the Christian faith to embrace Judaism and American Indian beliefs.

Fay Miller, a California artist working in glass, has created a selection of fused glass mezuzah (doorway blessing) covers in geometric, jewel-bright colors. She also has a blown-glass menorah (candelabra) decorated with organic, flowery shapes a la Dale Chihuly.

Another Jewish example – from Elly Fitzig – is a series of brilliantly-hued paintings of Old Testament subjects, such as Noah and Esther, as well as 19th century immigrant experiences.

And American Indian culture is showcased by Pam Lamont, who created “Bright Angel,” a digital image on metal that was inspired by the loving care of a Wichita nurse watching over a friend’s dying husband.

“I wasn’t trying to create an angel (with the digital manipulation),” Lamont says, “but the light radiates out and up from the heart center. The angel’s arms are reaching up to offer praise to God on high.” Lamont also has two large paintings in the show reflecting her American Indian heritage, including one intriguingly called “Blue Horses.”

Artist couple Vic and Jan Ford of Sperry, Okla., drew inspiration for their cut-steel mottoes and quotes from the aftermath of the 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy. They created an over-the-door sign of protection out of Psalm 91, which refers to “He is my refuge and my fortress.”

“We sought God’s direction and were led to design other pieces that brought comfort and hope to others,” Vic Ford says. “We struggled with the economy and the times. By 2005, our company was able to continue in the original direction of cutting custom steel parts for heavy industry. We believe that the creation of these (cut-out quotes) was a God-built bridge to help our family get through the hard times.”

The Fords’ steel words of encouragement range from “Love is patient” to “God Bless America” to “It is well with my soul.”

Other artists

Other art and artists in the show include woodworking by Noel Willis of Bel Aire, including his signature Cross and Crown of Thorns; elaborately beaded crosses on gold and copper wire from Jennifer Walterscheid, a teacher at Holy Cross; stone and crystalline angels by Karen Carney; fused glass jewelry and lawn ornaments from Roger Mathews, an art teacher at Butler Community College; fused glass crosses with Mondrian-like geometry or confetti patterns by Ernie Sweat, vice principal at Northeast Magnet; enameled copper jewelry, bowls and lidded boxes by Linda Gebert; and a large painting by Dennis McKay of Jesus on the way to Calvary called “He Carries All the Sins of the World.”

The youngest artist in the show is Katie Maher, a senior at Derby High, who was drawn to photography as a child by helping her brother, a professional photographer. By eighth grade, she got serious about studying techniques and as a sophomore started entering competitions. What informs her work now, she says, is God.

“I was baptized on Dec. 24, 2012 – best day of my life. Since then, I’ve been a new person,” Maher says. “God has been a huge part of my photography. I used to just take simple photos of architecture and people, but he has really shown himself through my photos recently,” she says. Among works in the exhibit are such compositions as a paper portrait of Jesus taped inside a dingy window, a junked pickup with “Jesus” and “obey” splash-painted on its door, and a closed store with the words “God is good” neatly lettered on the wall.

“When I go out and shoot, I usually just drive with no destination in mind, and I am led to the coolest things. I usually end up in abandoned buildings or deserted places, and I somehow always discover something that has to do with God,” she says. “I believe it’s his way of telling me to use this beautiful gift he has given me.”

This story was originally published April 3, 2015 at 4:46 PM with the headline "Works of Faith art show reaches beyond Christianity."