Local artists invited to share work at Easter shows

MOSES LAKE — Artists, and people who enjoy art, are invited to participate in Easter art shows in Moses Lake and Ephrata this month, hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The theme for the shows will be “A Walk with Christ,” said Becky Earl, a member of the Moses Lake Stake’s communications committee. 

“It’s to elevate Easter and make (people) a little more aware of Easter and the resurrection of Christ,” said LaDawn Reynolds, a member of the Ephrata Stake’s Communications Council. 

Both the Ephrata Stake and the Moses Lake Stake have received some artwork already, and anybody in the community who would like to show their art is invited to bring it for display as well. Any medium is welcome: painting, drawings, sculpture, even poetry. There’s no size limit; both locations have halls large enough to accommodate anything that comes in. 

“People are bringing cross-stitch; we’ve got paintings,” Reynolds said. “We have some youth who are doing statues in clay they’ve made representing the Savior.” 

The subject matter should have something to do with Jesus’ death and resurrection, both organizers said; no Easter Bunnies or eggs. If an artist wants to portray the Crucifixion, that’s fine, Reynolds and Earl said, as long as it’s not graphic enough to frighten children.  

Children are welcome to contribute as well, Reynolds said. 

“We’re asking the kids in grade school, if you have a picture of Jesus you want to color, color it and we’ll post it,” she said. 

Artists in the Ephrata show can be brought Friday afternoon from noon to 6 p.m., or Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. The show will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, and artists can take their work home afterward. In Moses Lake, the art will be displayed at 6-8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. Artists who would like to contribute can bring their art about an hour before the show opens, and organizers will find a place for it, Earl said. Both shows will have the art set back from viewers and people stationed to keep an eye on it, so it doesn’t get damaged. 

“We’ll have people spending the night in the building for security,” Earl said. “There will be ushers if people have any questions about the artist or the art … There’s also going to be little vignettes of music. So, anyone who loved Jesus or art or music would enjoy it.”  

At the Ephrata show, the church will have a room off to the side decorated to resemble the Via Dolorosa, the route Jesus walked through Jerusalem on his way to the Crucifixion, and a backlit model of a tomb, Reynolds said. A church member is making homemade cookies for anyone who wants to enjoy as well, she said. 

The Ephrata Stake did an art show last year, but it was put together in a hurry and mostly involved members of their own church, Reynolds said. This year the church is making a special effort to invite the rest of the community to participate. 

“We (felt) like the way the world is going, with attacks on churches and Christian schools back east, we’ve got to do something in the Basin to stick together,” Reynolds said. “It doesn’t matter what your (church) is. If you believe in Christ, we all need to band together … We might have different ideas when it comes to religion, but we have more common ground than we have not.” 

Where and when 

Ephrata 

1301 Division Ave. E 

Art drop-off 12-6 p.m. March 27 and 9 a.m.-12 p.m. March 28 

Display 2-6 p.m. March 28 

Moses Lake 

1515 S. Division St. 

Art drop-off around 5 p.m. 

Display 6-8 p.m.  

March 27 and 28

    Art in all media is welcome in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Easter art shows March 27-28.
  

    The artworks in the Easter art shows March 27-28 will be on display at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with dividers to keep the work from being damaged. Shows will be held at both the Moses Lake and Ephrata stakes.