Virtual Painting Class

One evening, in late January, Naomi had the opportunity to rejoin the Hope Adult Special Needs community to teach a painting class. This was a special opportunity for her to help support the ministry efforts in Richmond as she transitioned to Florida. Jesse helped Naomi set up two cameras and a computer to be able to share a live painting tutorial based on a lesson Naomi observed during one of Evelyn’s virtual school art lessons. This easy painting technique involved tracing out a cardinal on a tree and then using water colors, crayons or markers to add color. We added the verse from Matthew 6:26 to the bottom to remind us of the depth of God’s unfailing love.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they are? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

The idea that fine arts can be an expression of self is something that the Camp of the Peaks intentionally uses to connect the campers to Jesus. The camp believes that artistic expression authentically reveals the position of people’s hearts by merging the mental and physical worlds. Art can give people, teens especially, a mechanism to express complicated feelings and experiences without using words. Campers can use mediums like clay to be creative, while leaders engage in sharing the words from Isaiah 64:8:

Yet you, Lord, are our Father.

We are the clay, you are the potter;

we are all the work of your hand.

Looking at the art and bridging the conversation about the truth of the bible can validate their heart and connect them to Jesus. These heart level conversations based on their personal expressions are what the staff and volunteers use at camp to connect with the campers, their own experiences and ultimately the Creator.

These artistic expressions, drawing, pottery, painting and dance, ect., are also tools to reach campers with disabilities. We can move beyond the limitations of verbal communication through artistic expression as we share who Jesus is.