Bridgeway Church prides itself on featuring art from local artists and seeking out ways to honor these creative minds in our community. Find information for all of the artwork, artists, and contact information below.
Wake Up by Kendra Bayer-Foreman
Psalm 8:3 NLT
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers-
the moon and the stars you set in place-
What are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them
How quickly I forget what I know to be true - and I find myself begging "God, wake me up - keep my focus - arrest me!"
Joyous by Ramona “Mona” A. Daniels
This artwork was inspired by the bible verse God has given to encourage, strengthen and teach us about who we are in Jesus Christ. Nehemiah 8:10.
There is so much going on in the world today and many of us are attempting to handle these challenges with our own strength… However, I’ve learned over the years that instead of focusing on our circumstances we must learn to celebrate and rejoice in the Lord because our strength (what we need to endure these challenges) comes from the Lord… His joy! Finding joy in the Lord can renew and invigorate your strength. It can also be a call for hope, confidence, and courage in God’s presence…
So, instead of wallowing in worry…
Get up! Dance! Rejoice in the Lord!
For more information about this artist and the services offered, visit Artyside Studio, 210 N. Street, Suite 100, Kokomo, IN 46901. You can also follow Ramona on Instagram at @danielsramona or Facebook @ artyside.studio.
@Danielsramona
Dwell in a land where we'll never grow old by JC Barnett III
JC Barnett III was born and raised in Kokomo, Indiana. He primarily works in watercolor, inks and oils. He is multifaceted, capturing one's likeness and image, as well as capturing the imagination of his audience through his abstract pieces.
This art piece titled "Dwell in a land where we'll never grow old" comes from an art collection called the Lockridge Collection. It is an oil piece that was made at the height of Covid, a time when JC really struggled to deal with the realities of those times. He found comfort in listening to an old southern preacher by the name of S.M Lockridge. As a result of listening to the powerful words Lockridge spoke, JC produced an incredible collection of oil paintings including this one.
In the Garden by Jessica Rhum
“In the Garden” is a piece that represents the bounty of a garden in bloom. The piece is a result of spending time in nature with God. I spend a lot of time in my home garden and feel inspired by the color and form of the flowers, herbs, and plants. The beauty speaks to my heart and I feel so much gratitude that we have a creator that chose to include such beauty in our world that if we choose to pay attention to it, can amaze and delight us. I can go to the garden and feel joy swell up in my heart and it is also a safe space to experience heartache. I can go and sit in silence and be comforted. The birdsong there and the bees and insects remind me I am not alone and there are many living beings sharing this earth. It reminds me that harmony can exist.
Slowing down and admiring God’s creation, giving Him the glory, I feel is a form of worship. If I stop my busy mind and schedule in order to take in the simple beauty around me I can experience peace and feel the Holy Spirit. When I sit down to paint I find that what I long to put down on paper is the color texture, shape, and feeling that I see and feel in the garden.
There is an old hymn that inspired the name of this painting. It is also called “In the Garden.” The lyrics describe so well the feeling I am trying to convey:
“I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known
He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.”
-by C.Austin Miles
Backyard Heirlooms by Katie Tharp
Crafted with a mixture of some of my favorite mediums: Graphite, Watercolor, and Gouache. For an aged and playful visual, I chose canvas paper and frayed the edges. The frame and matting were wrapped in this timeless green fabric to make it feel one with the painting. I wanted this piece to represent my individual artistic style and love for all things antique. My goal is that you feel the intentionality and passion behind each line drawn and each brush stroke made.
Mood: Tranquil, Welcoming, Nostalgic
Instagram and Facebook: @katietharpcollections
Feeding the Multitude by Heather Polk
“Feeding the Multitudes” is whimsically inspired by this miracle in the book of Matthew (NLT), chapter 14:
As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”
But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”
“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.
“Bring them here,” he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!
Totality in Time: A Journey of Wonder and Discovery by Lucas Bowman
Every child finds something that captivates their imagination. For some, it’s dinosaurs; for others, it might be cars or tractors. For me, it was space. Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut or working for NASA. I would read every piece of information I could find about rockets, space missions, and astronomical objects. I always felt as though the stars were calling out to me to chase after them.
One of the personality tests I took a few years ago suggested that my personality type feels closest to God when in nature. While these tests can sometimes feel generic, this insight resonated deeply with me. I have always felt a profound sense of awe and wonder when camping out in remote areas, far from city lights and noise. In these moments, with only the sounds of the wind in the trees, the frogs, and the cicadas, I find a peacefulness that allows me to reflect on the vastness of the universe. The night sky, filled with countless stars, reminds me of the immense nature of God and the uniqueness of every individual, much like each star that forms the galaxies we can barely comprehend.
In 2019, I married my wonderful wife. Just before our wedding, we decided to buy a DSLR camera on sale at Amazon to video our ceremony and take photos during our honeymoon. This decision sparked a new passion in me: photography. I started honing my skills, learning through self-teaching and practice. These two interests—space and photography—came together serendipitously in 2021 when I discovered the world of astrophotography through online research for a paper in college.
It began modestly, with me photographing the moon using my camera on a tripod. Over time, I invested in more equipment, driven by a desire to capture the beauty of the night sky adding telescopes, new tracking mounts and more equipment to better my skills. Last summer, while browsing NASA’s newsfeed, I stumbled upon the 2024 Eclipse Megamovie project, which aimed to gather scientific data on the Sun’s corona during the eclipse. This project became my new focus. Over the next eight months, I meticulously prepared, tested, and researched to get ready for the eclipse on April 8, 2024.
The day of the eclipse started early. We left the house at 4 am and arrived at Summit Lake State Park, joining the line of cars waiting for the park to open at 7 am. After a long and stressful morning ensuring everything was set up correctly, I was finally ready to capture the event. The experience of witnessing the eclipse was indescribable. The pure awe and emotion I felt as the sky darkened and the totality occurred is something I will never forget. It was a life-changing event that reinforced my passion for astrophotography and space exploration.
The image I created, titled “Totality in Time,” represents over five years of dedication to researching, practicing, and perfecting my astrophotography skills. This collage captures the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024, as seen from Summit Lake State Park. It showcases the progression of the eclipse—from the initial phases to the breathtaking moment of totality and the phases as the eclipse concluded.
Solar eclipses are rare phenomena where the moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow and creating a spectacle that captures the imagination of people worldwide. While lunar eclipses are more common, solar eclipses offer a unique and awe-inspiring view of our solar system in action. The next total solar eclipse will not occur until July 12, 2026, over parts of Europe, and the next one over the United States will not happen until August 23, 2044.
“Totality in Time” is more than just a photograph; it is a culmination of a lifelong passion, a tribute to the dreams of my younger self, and a testament to the incredible beauty and complexity of our universe. It embodies the wonder and discovery that have driven me to explore the night sky and capture its most fleeting moments. Through this image, I hope to share that sense of awe and inspire others to look up, dream, and pursue their own journeys of exploration.
The Mercy Seat by Debra J Edwards
Most of us know the Biblical account in Exodus of how God brought the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people, out of bondage in Egypt. He guided them through the wilderness with a cloud by day and fire by night.
In Exodus 25, God asked Moses to “have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.” Ex 25:8-9 NIV
In his chapter, God gives instructions for the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat that sits on top. In verse 22, God instructs Moses: “There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.”
This is the artist’s interpretation of the Glory of God descending upon the mercy seat. But yet, how can mere paint even hope to re-create the Glory! May we pause to worship the Lord who comes to lead and guide us even now. Even the ark is giving praise!
Painted during a night of worship at a church service.
debedkhs@yahoo.com
The Ending by Steve Woodcock