Celebrating Art at FPCA


Church opens new gallery space in conjunction with music series


BY ANN LALIK, VISUAL ARTS TEAM LEADER


There is a new art gallery at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown. It is located near the Chapel in the walkway to the Commons. When walking that hall through June 30, you will see beautiful paintings of clouds and skies painted by regional artist Adriano Farinella.


Te creation of a gallery emerged when Tomas Dressler, coordinator of Traditional Music at FPCA, asked me if I had any ideas about incorporating the visual arts into our already established concert series. It was an informal conversation, and we talked about how the two art forms could enhance each other and continue to reach out to the Lehigh Valley community in a more meaningful way. Incorporating a different art form into the fabric of the church could also be a vehicle for encouraging diversity. At the time, Tom was planning the Gloria Snyder Lenten Concert Series, and we thought it might be interesting to plan an art exhibit for this season.


FIRST GALLERY RECEPTION HELD


Adriano Farinella’s “Moving Like Music” exhibition runs through June 30, 2017. The artist reception was held Tuesday, April 4, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., in conjunction with the last event in the annual Gloria S. Snyder Concert Series featuring select organists during Lent.


The April 4 concert featured FPCA’s Thomas Dressler, who is known for exciting, passionate performances on the organ and harpsichord, combining warm musicality with historic techniques. He has been performing for more than 40 years, often on historic instruments, including some of America’s oldest organs.


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Te walkway between Chapel and Commons seemed like a good gallery spot because there is a long wall, track lighting would be easy to install, and the location is close enough to the Sanctuary to be connected but far enough away that combined events wouldn’t interfere with each other.


After that discussion, I thought about the work of Easton artist Adriano Farinella (above), whose paintings remind me of heaven on earth. When I asked him about exhibiting in this new space and connecting with the concert series, he was interested and explained that he had already been planning to make a series of paintings directly related to music, titled Moving Like Music. His artist statement and the music that inspired him can be found in the Journal area of his website, www.adrianofarinella.com.


Session approved implementation of the gallery with enthusiastic support. A Visual Arts Team led by a chairperson appointed by the lead pastor will manage the gallery. We will report to Session regularly through the Worship Ministry Team.


Te team’s responsibilities are to determine the schedule of exhibits; install, deinstall, and manage the exhibits; promote the exhibitions and concerts; and provide hospitality for the receptions. Exhibiting artists may sell their work and will donate a portion of the sales to the church.


Church art galleries are becoming more popular, often (but not always) connecting a subject to worship or biblical themes. Some church galleries started by exhibiting work of their church members but soon realized that inviting nonmembers to exhibit can open doors and help the church welcome new people. (For more, see “Wonderfully Made: How Churches Are Seizing on Gallery Spaces for Art,” available online at Religion News Service.)


First Presbyterian has so many artistically talented members. Since this idea started, I have heard many stories of past art exhibits highlighting our congregation. I hope we can find a healthy mix of members and nonmembers to exhibit and glorify God though artistic creations. Anyone interested in serving on the Visual Arts Team can contact me at lalik@ptd.net.


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