An Augusta illustrator and student ministry director has created a unique approach to observing Holy Week during the pandemic.
“Practicing the Art of Jesus” is an artistic journey through Holy Week, according to Roger Speer, the director of student ministries at Church of the Good Shepherd.
“I’m launching a series of videos and art lessons for people,” he said. “The goal is to begin on Palm Sunday and end on Easter and create an artistic expression.”
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People will create a single artwork as “an expression of their Holy Week experience,” he said. Each day, there will be a scripture reading and a rule of life. There will also be one art element that comes into focus.
A new YouTube video will be posted each day, and in the evening, there will be a Zoom call for people to discuss their works and “mutually support” one another.
Palm Sunday focuses on John 12:1-11 where Mary anoints Jesus’ feet. The rule of life is prayer, and the art focus is envisioning the artwork. March 30’s lesson is Jesus predicting his death with a focus on listening; the art element is gesture drawing and structure. March 31 is Judas leaving to betray Jesus; the rule of life is connecting; and the art element is color harmony.
On April 1, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet with a rule of speaking, and the art element is base colors, contours and shades; April 2 is Good Friday and will focus on The Passion of the Christ, sharing and inspiring emotion in art. April 3 is Jesus’ burial, responding and adding intricacy and depth in art. April 4 is Easter Sunday with Christ’s resurrection, a world being healed by love and a finished art work. The Monday after Easter is a time to reflect on what the guards at the tomb saw, to learn to love God, each other and God’s creation; and to have a final virtual art show.
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Speer said the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York came up with the concept. Bishop Frank Logue, who oversees the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, heard that the northern diocese was looking for someone to help with the project and contacted Speer with the information.
Speer enlisted Nicole Swanson, a stage and voice actor, to lend her skills to the videos.
The project is free, but sign-up is required to get the YouTube and Zoom links.
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Speer said he hopes that the project will not only help strengthen people’s faith as they ponder Holy Week but will also strengthen their imagination and their emotions.
To sign up, visit rogerspeer.com and click on the Practicing the Art of Jesus link.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
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