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In
the newly-created entranceway leading from the parking
lot into the Church, there is a brand new piece of art.
It is a six-feet by eight-feet painting entitled “COME
TO THE FEAST.”
We
were able to commission a very anointed artist, Jan
Spivey-Gilchrist, who, after much study and prayer,
created this piece of art that serves as a wonderful new
addition to our Church.
Mrs.
Spivey-Gilchrist spent quality time with members of our
Church and through some conversations developed “COME
TO THE FEAST.” She took a concept of “invitation” and created a piece of
art that makes a statement that is hard to miss.
The Scripture that this creation invokes is
Ecclesiastes 3:1 - 12.
“There
is an appointed time for everything, and a time for
every affair under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to
plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to
tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to
mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather
them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from
embraces. A
time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a
time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be
silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of
war, and a time of peace.
What advantage has the worker from his toil?
I have considered the task which God has
appointed for men to be busied about.
He has made everything appropriate to its time,
and has put the timeless into their hearts, without
men’s ever discovering, from beginning to end, the
work which God has done.
I recognized that there is nothing better than to
be glad and to do well during life.
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The artist has created a masterpiece that
hopefully reminds us all that there are different
seasons that we come to the Lord and His feast. In the
mid section of the art work are four different trees
that reflect the four different seasons - winter,
spring, summer and fall. The concept behind the
different seasons represented by the different trees is
that we all "Come To The Feast" at different
times in our lives. Some come to the Lord and His feast
in the spring of their lives (Early Childhood) and
others come in the winter (Those graced with age)
and many come in between.
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This
piece of art also reflects that some come from the city
and some from the country. Some people are highlighted
in the picture walking by themselves and some are
walking with others. I believe this reflects our
congregation quite vividly. Some of our members come
from the country. i.e. parts of Mississippi and Alabama,
as well as the remote parts of Africa and Haiti. Others
come from the urban settings of Chicago and
beyond.
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Reflected in the painting is a very large table with men
and women gathered with Jesus at its center. The use of
colors reflect various countries from which the
membership of St. Ailbe is drawn. The people reflect the
disciples of Jesus who also are invited to "Come To
The Feast"
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Behind the adults
(disciples) who are standing at the table with Jesus are
little angels all dressed in white. These angels are
meant to be highlighted the "littlest of
angels" of St. Ailbe Church that are also invited
to "Come To The Feast"
There are many more
significant aspects as the portraying of thr Trinity
(God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the divinity
that is reflected within our Church and beyond. Many
discussions, hopefully will be generated as we look at
this newly created piece of art that I believe is
supposed to invoke a sense of awe and wonderment. This
painting is a wonderful piece of art that invites us who
gaze upon it to converse about what is means to
"Come To The Feast."
This newest addition to our Church can serve as a
constant reminder for us all to be aware that there are
times and seasons to "Come To The Feast." As
different as our faith journeys may be, there is a
commonality that speaks to a journey that leads to the
Lord Jesus Christ.
Please invite others to join in conversation concerning
this painting. It is a wonderful tool for catechist and
evangelization. It is a reflection of our unity and
diversity.
This piece of art is ours and will be with us for years
to come. People from far and wide will be able to speak
for generations of what it means to "Come To The
Feast."
The Artist
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Ms. Gilchrist enjoys
painting people; men, women and children. She
finds everyone an interesting, challenging
subject, and prides herself on bringing out
their finest qualities. She has sketched over
twelve hundred people and has completed over
eighty commissioned portraits during her career.
Ms. Gilchrist graduated from Eastern Illinois
University with a Bachelor's degree in Art
Education. Later she received her Master's
degree in painting from University of Northern
Iowa. She taught in the public schools of
Illinois and Massachusetts. |
Portraits are offered in oils, pastels and pencils.
She works from photographs or life sittings. All
paintings are guaranteed to the client's satisfaction.
Her outstanding ability to breathe life into her
subjects has been her signature as a portrait painter.
Jan Spivey Gilchrist’s career as a fine artist and
illustrator has spanned over a quarter of a century. Her
large paintings and pencil drawings have been exhibited
extensively throughout the United States and in Canada.
Her illustrations appeared for years in textbooks for
adults and children. Gilchrist’s artwork is held in
many collections both public and private
Jan Spivey Gilchrist travels annually throughout the
United States, Europe and the Islands where she,
“studies with her eyes and ears.” Outstanding
features and reviews of her work have appeared in The
New York Times, Boston Globe, Chicago Defender,
Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, L.A Times, U.S.A.
Today, Chicago Sun-times (Kup’s Column) and Ebony
Magazine, etc. as well as television and radio.
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