|
|
FEATURES
One might as well ask, what is a home? What is a person? A church, like a home, is greater than the sum of its parts. It has a unique spirit, shaped by geography, culture and the random intersection of countless factors that make it unique. This is the concept local artists Joyce Sloan and Sherri Moore attempted to capture in a series of paintings composed as they toured Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and the Fountain Valley region, seeking out churches big or small, rich or poor, regardless of affiliation. “We both love to paint, and we both love to write,” explained Sloan. Sloan and Moore recently published a book of their work: “Foundations of his Purpose,” a history of early Colorado churches in Manitou Springs, Fountain and Colorado Springs, which examines the history of churches in the region. “It’s given me an appreciation for my heritage,” said Moore. “I’m a third generation native, so the stories that my grandfather would tell, we got to live them.” The challenge was to express this on canvas, and share not just an image, but an experience. What had begun as an effort to compile a series of paintings became a more profound process of discovering the character behind the structure. Inevitably, they learned about the surrounding communities. Churches go through cycles. They can be occupied at different time by different religious affiliations, going from Protestant to Catholic, or through smaller shifts along the theological spectrum. They can experience times of expansion, depression, stability or upheaval; all shaped by the ebb and flow of the communities they serve. Chadbourn Gospel Mission at 402 Conejos is such a place. “We didn’t think we were going to find it still standing. It’s still being used as a church.” Some of the original families are still going to the Chadbourn church. Over the years it was a corner market store, a laundry and a brothel. Moore attended services at Chadbourn, and she spoke with the pastor. “You get a feel for what it means to the people. When Grace Chadbourn started that church, it was for the local Hispanic women. It’s not a wealthy part of town, but it is historic. When you go in there, you can still feel her presence. It’s a very warm, loving place.” As Sloan and Moore slowed down and took the time to sit with churches, gaining a sense for their personalities, they found the tone of each structure was not only a factor of what the church was in and of itself, but also who they were and what they brought to the encounter. “It’s shown me that God loves everyone,” Sloan said of what she’s gained from the experience. “It’s not about the size of the church that’s the blessing, because we’re all a family.” If you look carefully at the painting of Cumberland Pass Presbyterian Church on Weber Street, you can see the image of a young man sitting under a tree. That is a tribute to Sloan’s son, Monte Sloan, who passed away in a drowning accident at the age of 19. “When Monty was about 19, right before he died,” Sloan explained, “he went to the church in the painting, and the he gave his heart to God at that church, so there he is on the lawn.” Moore explained her perspective on faith and suffering, “By enduring, we grow. It’s about acceptance.” The two explained that like a church, things shift and change, and no one knows what the future holds. What Sloan and Moore have gained in their journey of art and history, is an appreciation for the past that sustains them through uncertain times. For more information about the collected paintings and the book, visit http://www.andborough.com/foundations_purpose.htm
|
