Our congregation has created an art gallery in our main gathering space. We are pleased to display work from various artists in our community and beyond. We feel blessed to be surrounded by these beauty and spiritually meaningful creations. We welcome inquiries from artists about showing your work.

On Display: Linda Snouffer’s Botanical Prints

Linda writes:

A dozen years ago, when a respected jurist remarked that my printmaking techniques were truly unique—unlike any he’d seen in his 35-year career—I knew I’d made it!

It all began at an art store demonstration of leaf printing (apply ink to a leaf, press it onto paper, and remove the leaf to reveal the printed image) and I was hooked. After making hundreds of cards and leaf wreaths, I yearned to make landscapes, but was clueless how to do that.

Unsure how to proceed, I sought out artists to learn new mediums—pastels, paints, dyes—and fundamental principles of composition and color theory. Countless studio hours were dedicated to experimenting with papers and fabrics. I had some successes, threw away many failures, and experienced the joy of “happy accidents.” My artistry truly coalesced during a two-year mentorship with the Women’s Art Resources of Minnesota (WARM). My mentor, a fiber artist, taught me not just technical skills but the deeper lessons of trusting myself.

Since then, my landscapes have received numerous merits and honors in galleries throughout the state. Highlights include a 2019 residency with the Science Museum of Minnesota and commissions for the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, Ramsey County Library, and private clients. My experience also includes managing exhibition installations, serving on arts grant juries, and holding key administrative positions within Metro arts organizations.

Look up to find the roots of each piece. My work always work begins with the sky –the canopy that determines the underlying timbre. A melding of materials and techniques blends the sky into the horizon and earth. Then, scores of layered grass or leaf images are created using century’s old botanical printmaking. These techniques form an intricate landscape – a braid inspired by nature and made with natural materials, and with a kinetic vivacity found only in nature.

A reception celebrating this show, including Q&A with the artist, will be held after worship on Sunday, December 14 (around 11:15 a.m.).

Here are some of the exhibits we have hosted in past years:

• Life-size puppets created by children in the First Church community for the production of “Joseph’s Colorful Coat”
• Photographs of church towers from around the world by Don Loegering
• Minneapolis Public School exhibit of students’ artwork depicting “What Is Home to Me?” focusing on issues of affordable housing and homelessness
• Serigraphs with religious themes by John August Swanson
• Hooked art (textiles) by rug hooking artists Tish Murphy, Joan LeVine and Kathy Morton Mulvain
• Nature photographs and poetry by Bob Ochtrup, photographer, and Jeff Wolvertine, poet
• Watercolor paintings by Ann and Wayne Sisel
• Nature prints by Jan Shogren
• Favorite art pieces from the First Church community
• Watercolors and pastels by Walter Breckenridge
• Exhibit of prints by 21 different artists inspired by the poem “Laughing  Bear” by Katherine Tilton, which is about domestic abuse. “The Laughing Bear Portfolio” was the inspiration of Diane Eicher who is also one of the artists. First Church also hosted a fundraiser for the St. Paul Domestic Abuse Intervention Project.
• Abstract paintings in oils and acrylics and pencil drawings by Amy Smith
• Watercolors and sketches by Soon-Wai Wong.
• Paintings by Jill Stebbins
• Batik by Kim Gordon
• Brian Poulton’s water paintings and photographs
• Phil Eckhert’s photography