Growing Individually and Growing Together (2012 ELCA Youth Conference -- New Orleans Convention Center)
Acrylic Paint on 16 interior doors
THE idea behind the MURAL
The mural will be designed on 16 hinged, free-standing doors which will cover a length of approximately 43’. A bare tree will be painted onto the doors and attendees will be invited to paint their own leaf to add to the Tree. Attendees will be instructed to design and paint their leaf right onto the mural in such a way that is represents them.
As they paint their leaf they may feel like an individual if standing alone but if standing near a friend or someone they don’t know they will start to get a sense of community. As each person adds their leaf the tree will begin to take shape and start to show the representation of the body of Christ.
The final piece will be unveiled at the final worship service where students can take away the idea that they were part of something larger – they are part of the body – part of the whole! If it is desired for the paintings to come to each evening service attendees will be able to see the progress and I would hope be a challenge to the students that if they do not be who it is God has made and called them to be then the body (the painting) can not be complete.
The doors will be sealed and after the last service will be ready to distribute out into the community to brighten someone’s doorway. It is a representation how we all come together in this one space to worship God and be renewed, refreshed, charged to do His will and then we are sent out to do the work He has personally, uniquely called each person to.
(The mural was complete but never shown a the final service as hoped due to logistics -- however students came back over and over again to see their leaf and who had placed one next to theirs. They also came back with friends and had them also add a leaf. The project was a success. At the end the doors were left in New Orleans.)
Acrylic Paint on 16 interior doors
THE idea behind the MURAL
The mural will be designed on 16 hinged, free-standing doors which will cover a length of approximately 43’. A bare tree will be painted onto the doors and attendees will be invited to paint their own leaf to add to the Tree. Attendees will be instructed to design and paint their leaf right onto the mural in such a way that is represents them.
As they paint their leaf they may feel like an individual if standing alone but if standing near a friend or someone they don’t know they will start to get a sense of community. As each person adds their leaf the tree will begin to take shape and start to show the representation of the body of Christ.
The final piece will be unveiled at the final worship service where students can take away the idea that they were part of something larger – they are part of the body – part of the whole! If it is desired for the paintings to come to each evening service attendees will be able to see the progress and I would hope be a challenge to the students that if they do not be who it is God has made and called them to be then the body (the painting) can not be complete.
The doors will be sealed and after the last service will be ready to distribute out into the community to brighten someone’s doorway. It is a representation how we all come together in this one space to worship God and be renewed, refreshed, charged to do His will and then we are sent out to do the work He has personally, uniquely called each person to.
(The mural was complete but never shown a the final service as hoped due to logistics -- however students came back over and over again to see their leaf and who had placed one next to theirs. They also came back with friends and had them also add a leaf. The project was a success. At the end the doors were left in New Orleans.)