Holy week is a time in which many people reflect on their lives and spirituality.  Barton Community College will offer a chance to supplement this reflection through a series of interactive art lectures, “The Painted Word: Holy Week Meditations,”  from noon to 1 p.m. March 25-27 and 29 at the Shafer Art Gallery.
Shafer Art Gallery Director Dave Barnes will give a series of talks based upon various historical masterpieces. The series of meditations will invite participants to explore the various meanings and significance of the cross in the work and lives of historically important artists.  
“I wanted these talks to be an opportunity for people to express their questions and concerns and be able to let the dialogue flow according to the interests of the audience,” he said. “This will be a great way for us all to talk in a casual manner about these works of art and their significance and how they relate to the spiritual worldview of the artist.”
The topics are as follows:
Monday, March 25 – The Cross in the Natural World: Wonder in C.D. Friedrich’s “Cross in the Mountains.”
Tuesday, March 26 – The Cross in Death and Suffering: Broken spirits and broken bodies in Grunewald’s Isenheim “Altarpiece” and Goya’s “Third of May.”
Wednesday, March 27 – The Cross in Sacrifice and Redemption: The oldest magic in E. Holman Hunt’s “The Scapegoat.”
Good Friday, March 29 – The Cross, Modern Art and the Dark Night of the Soul: Silence and darkness in Rothko’s “Black Paintings” and Barnett Newman’s “Stations.”
Admission is free and attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch. The Shafer Art Gallery’s regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 1-4 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is always free.