Inspiring Creativity and Community

Written By Karen Sterling, Visual Arts Ministry

FPC Launches Visual Arts Ministry

by Karen Sterling

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in various forms (First Peter 4:10).


How often have you heard an artist referred to as “talented” or “gifted”? Like most of us, artists strive to share their gifts with others. The new visual art ministry (VAM) at First Presbyterian Church encourages artists to create, inspire, and give thanks. Painting, photography, sculpting, sewing, or weaving- the various media used to create visual works of art- speak to our sense of beauty, our emotions, and our appreciation of God’s creation.

The ministry has a six-person team that has come together to help define what it means to develop an art ministry. Our first efforts have focused on sharing the fruit of the artist’s labor. We are also planning future events that will let others get involved in creating art, share our love of art with the broader community, and use art to support the non-profit ministries our church has identified as part of our community outreach.

As one artist who participates in the new art ministry, Karen Sterling says, “I would share my perspectives in the following way. Art can speak to us when words are not enough. Art can lift our spirits or let us ‘stop and smell the roses,’ capturing a memory that would otherwise be too fleeting as we go about our busy lives. The creative process engages us in ways that focus our thoughts, require certain physical abilities, reflect our perceptions, and highlight our life experiences. While some people do not see art as essential, others find it to be a true celebration of life.”

Another contributing artist, Madgetta Dungy, believes art's power lies in its ability to reveal the inner significance of the things around us, transforming the mundane into something extraordinary. Art connects with our souls, prompting us to look inward and explore our deeper emotions and thoughts. It is like a language that speaks directly to our hearts, helping us understand ourselves more profoundly.

If you would like to be part of this ministry as an artist or a volunteer, please contact David Dunbar or Karen Sterling.

The Visual Art Ministry’s Holiday Art Show runs from November 15, 2026, to February 15, 2027, and its theme is The Art of Family and Friends. Do you have a painting by your grandmother, a framed photograph from a cousin who lives out of state, or a piece by an artist friend? We invite you to share these treasured creations with our congregation for three months. Because display space is limited, please submit no more than two to three works. To let us know you're interested, please contact David Dunbar or Karen Sterling.

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Karen Sterling, Visual Arts Ministry

Karen Sterling has enjoyed drawing and painting from a young age. She took art in high school and a drawing class when in medical school. Since retiring, she has been able to devote more time to art in various forms. In her experience, art touches people’s emotions. It helps us celebrate life and the beauty of nature-true gifts from God.

Nature is the primary inspiration for Karen’s art. Most often she uses her husband’s photographs as a go-by for her paintings. Most of her work is in acrylics, but she also enjoys pencil drawing, watercolor, and most recently oil. She has also done some work with wood.

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