New Commissioned Sanctuary Art
Alongside words and music, visual art plays a significant role in our faith practice – focusing our attention, engaging and inspiring us in fresh ways, or prompting further reflections. To reflect the spirit of our new Land Acknowledgement Statement and help us engage with Indigenous neighbors in our faith practice, a wood relief art piece has been commissioned from a Native American artist. This is the second significant art commission Bethel has undertaken… the mosaic cross celebrating our Welcome Statement was placed at the east entrance of the church in 2021. Two of Bethel’s very active committees, Mission & Justice and Worship & Arts, with Council’s approval, are spearheading the project.
About our commissioned artist: John Sterner is a Sicangu Lakota from Marshall, Minnesota and member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe from the Rosebud Indian Reservation in western South Dakota. John came highly recommended by Bethel member and Bistro head, Chris Bussmann, who he had connected with for educational programming in Farmington. John also consulted with Bethel member and retired St Olaf Art professor, Mac Gimse, when creating “Wanbli Mitakuye Oyasin / Eagle Relatives,” the 15-foot tall steel eagle sculpture that flies next to Northfield’s Highway 3 as part of the city’s land acknowledgement. He also knows the Schlief family! John and his wife are also members of a Lutheran congregation near where they live. He is an art teacher, coach, painter, illustrator and sculptor who has created works of art currently displayed in many municipalities and also church settings.
After meeting John and seeing his initial renderings, the two committees were very excited and after further communication and another in-person meeting that excitement only grew as John’s passion, creative vision and ability to communicate his ideas convinced us that he will produce meaningful work to reflect Bethel’s vision, and he was given the green light to begin.
Below is a link to a PBS Postcards featuring John.
The wood relief wall sculpture will bridge Christian and Native American symbolism reflecting our interconnected vision of God, nature and creation. The plan is for the work to be ready for installation on the west sanctuary entrance wall in September, with a formal dedication by October.
While the project cost ($14,000) is significant, the complexity and artwork size (about 4’ x 10’) justifies our financial investment. Already, over $9,000 has been donated by interested committee and congregation members. We need an additional $5,000 in the near future to meet that goal. You can give by writing a check to Bethel Lutheran with “Indigenous Art” on the memo line, or through the church website on our Giving Page (scroll to “Indigenous Art” for your one-time gift by credit card or bank withdrawal).
We are so excited for how this piece will visually nurture and nuance our faith for years to come, and keep us mindful of the ongoing work of being in relationship with Indigenous people.