In August of 2024 I was invited to hang one of my oil paintings, Abundance of Love for Family, in the entrance hall of the historic First Lutheran Church in San Diego.
The First Lutheran Church at Third and Ash Streets in San Diego was built in 1888 and has been a welcoming place for folks from all walks of life, supporting community through WWI, The Great Depression, and WWII. First Lutheran was bold in the 1980s to open their doors to LGBTQ+ folks while AIDS ravaged the community. The church feeds and provides free giveaways to people on social and financial margins with their Third Ave. Charitable Organization (TACO).
Bill Engel, music director for the First Lutheran choir and artist, saw my art on this website after meeting me through a mutual friend, the blues singer Janice Edwards. He liked what he saw, and said to me, "You know, we have this huge blank wall at the church...." The conversation went from there and I decided to hang my oil painting, "Abundance of Love for Family" because the theme is the beauty of God's creations.
I delivered the work late in August and it was hung in the entrance hall early in September. My piece is in good company with works by other local artists, turning the entryway into an art gallery.
"Abundance of Love for Family" will be on exhibit into December 2024.