The seventh annual “What’s So Good About Good Friday?” art show presents local artists’ work about Good Friday and their Christian faith. The exhibit of more than 20 artists will be held at Second Presbyterian Church, 404 N. Prairie Street, in downtown Bloomington Friday, March 25, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The exhibit is organized by Art Circle of Bloomington-Normal, a faith-based group of artists and creative people, in conjunction with Second Presbyterian Church.
Artists will display paintings, drawings, watercolors and sculptures on Good Friday, March 25. A reception with refreshments will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., which will include artists talking informally about their work. Art will remain on display throughout Easter weekend.
Second Presbyterian’s solemn Good Friday worship service begins at 7 p.m., after the artists’ reception. The thoughtful service features Bible readings with diminishing light, art and music until the sanctuary is dark and quiet.
“The exhibit focuses on why Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and death were good. Jesus was born to die and to live again,” David Barton, pastor at Second Presbyterian, “The art in the Good Friday show expresses so many dimensions’ of the artists’ faith. I always have a new understanding of Christ’s death and resurrection through this exhibit,” Angel Ambrose, one of the leaders of Art Circle, said. “People who come to the exhibit find it a spiritually uplifting experience.”
The “What’s So Good About Good Friday?” show began seven years ago when Downtown Bloomington’s First Friday art activities also coincided with Good Friday. Since then, the Good Friday exhibit at Second Presbyterian has expanded to include more artists.
Last year, more than 1,000 people attended the show. The Good Friday exhibit features art by Art Circle of Bloomington-Normal members, Second Presbyterian Church members, local artists from many Christian churches, and students from schools including Calvary Christian Academy in Normal.
Second Presbyterian’s mission is to “Help our neighbors love and follow Jesus by building personal relationships marked by radical hospitality, compassionate action, and grace-filled truth.” Information about Second Presbyterian Church can be found at: www.secondpres.com.
The Art Circle of Bloomington-Normal is a creative community gathering in Faith, Hope and Love inspiring Beauty, Truth and Goodness through individual expression and appreciation of the Arts. Information about Art Circle can be found at: www.facebook.com/ArtCircleBN.
Thank you to Jodie Slothower for writing the press release for this event.