First Presbyterian Church joins First Friday lineup for special show to mark 175th anniversary

First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau will participate in today's First Friday events with an art exhibit in honor of the church's 175th anniversary.

More than 25 artists from the congregation will display their works alongside permanent art pieces already hanging on the church's walls in a show titled "Treasures of the First Presbyterian Church."

First Presbyterian has celebrated its anniversary throughout the year with guest ministers, a cookbook with recipes from church members and fellowship dinners, but the art exhibit, suggested by church member Kitty Rueseler, is the first activity to coincide with a community event.

"This is not a bazaar," said Judy Wiles, one of the co-coordinators of the event and church member. "This is an art show. People feel they are blessed with the talent that they have been given. The church has been blessed as well, and this is our chance to showcase and participate in the First Friday event."

Wiles said several types of artwork will be represented -- paintings, needlework, photography, music, sculpture, jewelry and more. Of the 35 or so artists present to discuss their artwork with guests, most are church members.

Art by Sandy Wilhelm

"We have a lot of artists who are well-known in the local arts community," Wiles said.

One of those artists is Bill Needle, a former art professor at Southeast Missouri State University. Needle, known for his work in Egyptology, has designed names in hieroglyphics for 36 years. He credits inspiration for that art form to a church dinner held in 1976.

"At the dinner, my wife was in charge of the food, and she said 'Why don't you make nametags?'" Needle said. He said he made pyramids out of paper, drew their names in hieroglyphics on the front, and wrote them in English on the back. "It really began at the church. One man [at the dinner] asked if I could make one for his office, and it's still going on years later."

Needle will display hieroglyphic drawings and his newest painting inspired by a recent trip to London.

The work artists will present tonight will only be in the church for one night. However, three 5-by-3-foot paintings Needle made for the church, depicting religious scenes, hang permanently in the church's parlor.

Art by Ann Ritter

Church member Vonda Slinkard will be displaying a quilt inspired by the rose window in the church's sanctuary. She designed and made it with several other women.

"I think whether it's an art gift of communication or art that you can physically see, it's nice to always have creative people around us," Slinkard said. "I think all of us have some talent, whether it's in our cooking or everyday life, and they are all beautiful talents."

Several tapestries and stained glass windows represent other permanent art fixtures in the church, like the rose window that inspired Slinkard's quilt. The quilt is the only artwork from tonight's exhibition that will become a permanent fixture in the church.