Students Create, Install Campus-Wide Art Project

Westmont student art projects are sprouting up across campus this week, depicting biblical stories and interpreting moments in Christ’s life. The project, “Stations of Christ’s Life,” won a $10,700 Worship Renewal grant last May from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.

Each of the 14 student artists will describe their “station” at a dedication walk Friday, Jan. 13, at 3:30 p.m. The tour will begin from the Kerrwood Lawn. The art projects are expected to remain on campus through the spring semester.

The project was developed over the course of the fall semester by art students who wanted to amplify the imagery of faith on campus in keeping with Westmont’s evangelical tradition.

“Orthodox Christians and Catholics have very strong visual traditions, but not Protestants,” says Lisa DeBoer, art professor and project director.

She says Orthodox imagery focuses on Christ’s incarnation, while Catholic imagery often emphasizes the sacramental suffering of Christ. The traditional Protestant emphasis is on atonement, symbolized by an empty cross.

The student’s artwork will be linked to local “Stations of the Cross” at Catholic churches in Santa Barbara. “We wanted to make a healthy connection with our Catholic brothers and sisters,” DeBoer says.

One piece of artwork by student Stephanie Smith near Kerrwood Patio is entitled “Entry into Jerusalem.” It depicts a scene of Christ entering Santa Barbara, complete with Oprah Winfrey holding a microphone. One young man in the painting holds a sign which says, “I’m gay. Am I loved?”

Another painting, by student Harriett Ghormley, is in a phone booth in the basement of the Voskuyl Library. “Supper at Emmaus” depicts Christ, suddenly revealed in the breaking of bread to two men after the Resurrection.

Professors are not grading the project. The grant will reimburse students for their materials.

Each piece will be photographed for projection during chapel and reproduced on postcards to be sold through the art department.