VISUAL ARTS
Welcome to the First Presbyterian Art Gallery!
Gallery hours are Tuesday-Thursday Noon- 5:00 pm, and during all theater performances. Other times by appointment.
The Visual Arts Ministry is grounded in the belief that we are created in the image of God and that both the arts and religion are manifestations of the same creative spirit, deeply rooted in the human soul.
Feel free to browse the gallery artwork at your leisure. Contact the church for more information: 260-426-7421. The closest entrance to the art gallery (handicap accessible) is on the west end of the building.
Exhibition News
Church Art Exhibition 2024
Biennial Parish Art Exhibition: Calling all First Presbyterian artists—painters and potters, poets and short story writers, sculptors and fiber artists—all you creative people! The First Presbyterian Biennial Parish Art Exhibition will be this coming fall, opening...
FAME 2023 Exhibit Now Showing
FAME Artwork: Paintings and drawings by Northeast Indiana elementary students are on display in the Gallery July 17 through August 28. These paintings, collages, and drawings, by students from Fort Wayne and surrounding area elementary schools, are from the 2022-23...
FPC Permanent Art Collection
The Permanent Collection consists of a number of original works of art and artifacts owned by the church. Many are displayed in various rooms and hallways of the church.
The Permanent Collection began with several gifts from well-known artists who were members of First church, Homer Davisson and Louis Bonsib. A large oil painting depicting Judas and the thirty pieces of silver by an unknown 19th century artist hung in the fourth of First Presbyterian’s buildings, but its origin is not known. Since the move to the present building the collection has gradually grown through gifts, commissions and purchases. Several acquisitions were from Gallery exhibitions, either gifts from the artists or church purchases. There are currently nearly 100 works in the collection.
Significant works included in the collection in addition to the few mentioned above are a number of works that relate to our Christian faith, such as the commissioned work by Russian artist Vadim Bora. For this triptych displayed in the main lobby Vadim chose the motif of the Last Supper. Other works reflect the beauty of the earth, such as a recent gift, Celebration of the Earth, by Brother Cletus Behlmann, while others remind us of the hope for peace and justice in a world troubled by oppression. The mixed media piece, Dreams, by Jerusalem artist Taleb Dweik, depicts two Palestinian children looking toward Jerusalem and dreaming of being free to fly over the wall to leave the shambles of their homes. It was purchased from the Room for Hope exhibition.
The Visual Arts committee maintains the inventory, keeps appraisals current for insurance purposes, maintains the physical condition and installations, and documents the location of the works throughout the building.
Notable Past Exhibits
Creative Resistance: The Art of Protest
Craftivism, the intersection of craft and activism, brings a slower, more reflective approach to protest. It seeks to show that while bold action and loud voices have their place, change can also come through quiet, intentional acts. The exhibit featured art done in traditional craft forms. Featuring work by Rachel Ivy Clarke, Tamara Harper, Erin Bauchan-Caprara, Emily Herbster, Elysha Ozanian, and Amber Elliot.
Mental Health America of Northeast Indiana’s Art of Hope
Mental Health America of Northeast Indiana’s Art of Hope is an art exhibit highlighting local artists and sharing inspiring stories about recovery, healing, and hope. Art of Hope features local artists of all ages, skills, and backgrounds who use the creative process as a tool for mental and emotional well-being. The show is held annually each November in the Gallery.
The Art of Hilarie Couture
Hilarie Couture of Fort Wayne, IN, is an award-winning artist, working primarily as a direct painter. Hilarie works with oils, pastels, colored pencils, and charcoal to create rich and dramatic portraits that truly capture a moment in time. Her work combines meanings, contrasts, subject matter, thick and thin paint, hard and soft edges, paint with pastel, gold leaf, and other unconventional materials.
Ocean of Influences: The Art of Sayaka Ganz and Gbenga Adeku
Sayaka Ganz of Fort Wayne, IN, is a Japanese sculptor. She was born in Yokohama, Japan and grew up living in Japan, Brazil, and Hong Kong. Sayaka identifies a strong Japanese influence in her work. Using reclaimed metal and plastic objects, Sayaka’s recent sculptures depict animals in motion with rich colors and energy. She describes her style as “3D impressionism”, creating an illusion of form using plastic objects as brush strokes that become visible upon observation from close proximity.
Gbenga Adeku of Osun State, Nigeria, grew up an apprentice at his father’s Olokun art gallery and studio, mastering traditional printmaking and painting, and eventually training in sculpture and graphic art. He is an award winning upcycle artist and is currently on apprenticeship with Sayaka Ganz in Fort Wayne.
Room for Hope: Art of Palestine
This exhibit was sponsored by The Bethlehem Lutheran Christmas Church in Palestine and the Bright Stars of Bethlehem organization as part of an initiative to bring art, culture and education to Christians and Muslims and to empower people in a context of continuing conflict. Many of the works expressed messages of hope for the future rather than concentrating on the current oppression. The reception featured a food sampler from the Middle East catered by Sudha Abbasi and a lecture by Dr Michael Spath, Director of the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace.
Become an Exhibitor
Like to be considered for a gallery exhibition?
Please provide a brief biography, images of your work, and an Artist Statement to Beth Iserman, bdiserman@gmail.com.