St. Andrews United Church in Arcola, which was built in 1904 has recently received a beautiful addition to the sanctuary.
The Church Board discussed ideas for a donation plaque; but, decided that wasn't quite right. They, therefore, approached Autumn Downy, a local artist, to see if she would be able to paint something unique to recognize those who contribute to the Church through bequeathed donations and memorial donations.
"All of the names on there are because of donations to the Church. Some leave money bequested in their will, while others donate on behalf of people who had been involved with the Church, so family and friends donate in memorial," Don Lees, Church Board member, stated.
Downy, owner of Glorious Mud in downtown Arcola, focuses mostly on pottery; but, has been painting for a number of years. The Church Board came up with the idea of a tree with peoples' names placed on the leaves in order to recognize these donations.
From here Downy found inspiration from a tree south of Arcola, which is found along the road by the elevator.
"I took pictures of a little tree along the elevator road, then added in the Moose Mountains behind it," Downy explained.
"It's the Tree of Life is how it's looked on, at least I looked at a number of trees of life while researching."
Both a memorial tree and a tree of life there is great symbolism in the artwork Downy created for the Church. Framing the tree and Moose Mountains are maple seeds and shoots from spring buds representing the tree at different stages in its life.
"So many of these people lived here all of their lives. In the area the hills are a big deal when you've lived here all your life," Gail Lees, a member of the Church, explained.
The canvas sizes were the largest one could get at the supply store without stretching one, so the shape of the art was determined in this way.
The art has been placed on the west wall where light from the southern windows helps to pop the names in gold off of the canvas. There are currently 33 names on the canvas with more leaves available for any other donations. The Church Board decided to only put the donations from the last 15 years on this piece though there have been many more who have bequeathed or donated money to the Church before 1997.
Downy took approximately three months to paint the piece, which took up the majority of her workspace and was happy with how it turned out.
"She is very accomplished," Lees said. "She has done an outstanding job."
In December there had been a dedication of the artwork to the church to which the congregation was impressed with the artwork.
