‘He is in every color and detail’
by Michael Baldelli and Hugo Bravo
Artist Katherine Gosnell and a group of fellow artists and volunteers recently completed work on a mural on the side of The Salvation Army’s corps building in Providence, R.I. The mural highlights the church’s service to the Providence community and the teachings of Christ.
Katherine first connected with The Salvation Army in Rhode Island through Trinity Square Together, a coalition made up of residents and representatives from local churches, nonprofits, businesses, and law enforcement in the Trinity Square area of Providence.
“I had seen The Salvation Army in rural areas where I grew up, but I was not familiar with their involvement in urban areas until I moved to Providence,” says Katherine.
Major Steven Lopes, state coordinator for The Salvation Army in Rhode Island, wanted a mural that would incorporate sharing the gospel and show how the Army meets needs without discrimination. Katherine knew such a mural would send a prophetic message to the city, marking the location as one touched by God’s kingdom.
Christ in the center
“My two favorite things are community art and bringing faith into it,” says Katherine. “Art is a conversation with God. It’s a way to pray, ask questions, and express what I believe. To be childlike is a characteristic of the kingdom of Christ, and creating art is a way to stay childlike.
“But at first, I felt unsure and really had to think about this project. And I only had a month to plan and prepare the mural.”
The Avenue Concept, a Providence nonprofit that supports and helps fund visual public art, said it would help supply materials for the mural. Katherine saw this as a sign that God would be by her side, creating art along with her.
“I saw God orchestrating,” says Katherine. “He was going to give me ideas and help every step of the way. I very much believe that He is in every color and detail of all art.”
Inspiration for the final design came from Katherine’s conversations with Lopes, as well as her own art history research. “The Renaissance artist Tintoretto has a great painting of Christ washing his disciples’ feet,” she says.
This humbling service by Jesus became the center of the mural, with light radiating from Him to the rest of the scene. To the left of Him are people engaged in Bible study. To the right, two figures seated at a table are sharing a meal, symbolizing the work of The Salvation Army and the dinners that the Providence Corps hosts for the community.
Katherine added her own personal touch to the center scene: The individual whose feet Jesus is washing is not a male disciple as in Tintoretto’s work, but instead, a woman.
“I think that’s something that doesn’t get highlighted enough: women who are filled with the love of Christ,” says Katherine.
Mural to ministry
As the mural was nearing completion, Katherine wondered how she would be able to share its message with those who may not be spiritual or even familiar with Christ.
“I noticed that when I shared the reason why Jesus washed the feet of others, people would open up about their own church experiences, both good and bad. It was interesting to see how this art went from presentation to pastoral work,” says Katherine. “I’m my own worst critic, but if someone sees this mural, and it brings them closer to God, the hard work was not in vain. There’s so much satisfaction in knowing I’ve honored Him in this way.
“To me, there’s something so delightful about the presence of colors and lights. Seeing them with a positive message in a world with so much darkness and negativity is the good kind of disruption. I know that God will use this mural in ways that I won’t expect.”
