Dothan Baptists share art in hall

What do watercolors, oils, lithographs, sculpture, stained glass, pastels, photography, quilts, needlepoint and banners have in common?
   
All these art forms line the Fine Arts Hall at First Baptist Church, Dothan.
   
Each month artwork created by members of First, Dothan, covers the carpeted walls of this hall of art, which is adjacent to the church’s offices for music and the school of fine arts.
   
The school offers piano, organ and guitar lessons as well as “Kindermusik.” It has also offered instruction in wind and brass instruments, art and drama.
   
Lois Gurney, co-founder and the first director of the school of fine arts, designated the hall for this purpose 10 years ago.
   
With exhibits that are planned a year in advance, the hall is seen as a venue to display the creative expressions of the various artists at First, Dothan, said Terry Taylor, the church’s minister of music and the minister of the school of fine arts.
   
He said he feels the works express the members’ faith and creativity. 
   
As church members and guests visit the hall, the artwork allows them to share in the creativity of the artists and also provides a contact point for common interests.
   
The church’s weekly newsletter, First Things, and a sign by the elevator announce which artist has his or her work on display for the month.
   
Artist Judy Thomas displayed her stained glass creations in the hall. She said she enjoys putting her feelings into expressions of color.
   
One piece was a small angel with a bent halo and a copy of “Love Lifted Me” upside down in her hands. The angel represents God’s redeeming love for us, even when we are not perfect, she said.
   
First, Dothan, member Jullianne Ward values the hall as a place to display the talents of the members.
One of her paintings that received the most comments is one that depicts a typical Wednesday night supper, with Linda Hatcher, food service manager, visiting families at the tables.
   
Taylor recalled an exhibit last Easter that went beyond the confines of the fine arts hall to the walls of the church.
   
Photographs of crosses of all shapes, locations and sizes were collected from members of the church, many of whom had never displayed any other artwork.
   
The photos were matted and mounted in the halls of the church. The display was an eclectic reminder of the steps Christ took toward the cross.