Artist in Residence

A Year with Our Artist-in-Residence

The Music & Fine Arts ministry created and sponsored the position of Artist-in-Residence for this program year with two purposes in mind: to develop the ministry of fine art at First Presbyterian Church and to engage the congregation in celebration of its 175th anniversary through the creation of art. After consideration of several nationally recognized liturgical artists, MFA selected Ellen Phillips of Atlanta, an accomplished portraitist and sculptor who has served as artist and clinician in many religious venues across the US. Ellen made a preliminary visit last June to determine the direction of her efforts. She then spent a week with us in October, introducing the congregation to the concept of liturgical art at an evening seminar and facilitating the first projects. She returned in February and April, educating and leading us in various other activities.

Ellen’s first focus was to help us make our physical environment a more warm and inviting space esthetically. During the October residence, the portico entry was painted, paper lace banners cut and hung, walls stenciled with designs and scripture, signage added to direct visitors, and an information screen installed to update events. This refurbishment extends to the Great Hall, where improvements are ongoing.

Additional projects included:

  • Sari draping in the portico entry for Lent
  • Individual chalices created by the youth for their communicants’’ class
  • Direction for art displays in the first floor hallway
  • Paper banners for baptism and PC-USA cut by the youth
  • Mosaic pieces created by the children
  • Paper banners (vine and branches) created to hang on the rededos for May 6th
  • Fountain added to the baptismal font in the Narthex
  • Fabric banners representing God the Father and the Holy Spirit hanging in the Narthex  (Fabric banner representing Christ the Son to follow)
  • Framed photographs of the stained glass windows in the Chapel and the Sanctuary displayed in the hallway and the Great Hall

During the celebration of the 175th anniversary of First Presbyterian Church, take a few moments to look around the church to view these creations of liturgical art from our community of faith that help to shape and express our relationship with God.