Religious Murals Unveiled at Atonement Lutheran Church and School
Stunning, life-size paintings depict pivotal scenes from the Bible, Christianity
Principal Mark Briggs and artist Jeff Arnold in front of the four paintings
(Florissant, Mo) October 21, 2011 – When St. Louis artist Jeff Arnold picks up a paint brush, his faith fills the canvas. “It’s what every person hopes to do,” said Arnold, of Florissant. “If you’re an artist, you hope you can serve your God with your tools and talents.”
Arnold fulfilled that hope this summer when he created four original, life-size religious murals for Atonement Lutheran Church and School in Florissant. The paintings -- which depict Bible stories from Adam and Eve through the missionary journeys of Peter and Paul -- were unveiled Wednesday, Oct. 19, during a “dedication worship service” that drew students, parents, congregation members and pastors from neighboring congregations. The audience also included Arnold’s daughter, who attends eighth grade at Atonement.
“The kids really ‘oohed and ahed’ over them,” said Mark Briggs, Atonement's Principal. “They were really impressed to see what they’ve been reading about in the Bible.”
The life-size, museum quality paintings fill the walls of the school’s main hallway, which connects students to Atonement's new Ministry Center. The murals include images of Adam and Eve, Moses, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and the martyring of Saints Peter and Paul.
“We had been looking for a way to make that hallway special,” said Briggs. “When we saw some of Jeff’s other murals, we came up with this idea.”
Arnold created a series of murals for Woodland Elementary in the Jennings School District, where he has taught art for nearly 20 years. Other projects include a portrait of Mother Theresa of Calcutta for a local Catholic congregation.
“I’m an ecclesiastical artist by vocation,” said Arnold, whose family attends Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church in north St. Louis County. “So this is just a joy, to be able to do these four paintings for Atonement.”
Arnold sketched and painted the 4’ x 6’ acrylic paintings in record time. When he began the project in July, he thought it would take about two years to complete. Instead, he painted steadily through the summer and finished them in time for the new school year.
During Wednesday’s dedication ceremony, Principal Briggs reminded students that the vivid, colorful murals will be enjoyed by future generations and congregations.
“The Bible and its great story of God’s creation and redemption of mankind through His son Jesus are the center of our faith,” said Briggs. “Now these paintings will become part of your school and your lives.”
About Atonement:
Atonement Lutheran School is located at 1285 New Florissant Road North and serves 262 students in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth. Atonemen tis a member of the St. Louis-based Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA). For more information, visit www.alcs-web.com.
