April 23, 2010 —     Morehead United Methodist Church members are fortunate to claim artist Joe Sartor as one of their own. As a gift to his church and especially to the children of the church, Dr. Sartor has conceived and painted the entire Creation Story in the hallway of the Education Building. These brightly colored masterpieces in the hallway take you from the beginning of time, and as you enter various classrooms, through several Bible parables with a few surprises along the way.

    A Showcase of Joe Sartor’s murals will be held on Sunday, April 25 from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m., hosted by the Methodist Church. The entire community is invited to this showcase and also to view selected works by Dr. Sartor as they enjoy refreshments following the tour of his latest project.

    This quiet, unassuming man told me that he was honored that the church “placed their trust in him” to take on this beautiful and inspiring endeavor. He was asked to come up with some ideas for a Creation mural, and he presented them with preliminary sketches. The board agreed and he took on this “daunting task.” Dr. Sartor said he is not used to painting large areas and that he is more accustomed to painting on canvases.

    A big part of an artist’s job, before even beginning to pick up a brush, is the thought process that goes into the task. Deciding what to paint and how to best execute the plan can take up many hours. Dr. Sartor explained that in his case, “ideas sometimes come suddenly or in relation to something in the news, current events or local happenings.” He knew the church wanted the creation story as something all could relate to, not too juvenile or too adult. He also thought that sky and clouds could bring this all together. He achieved a perfect balance with all the scenes using the blue sky, white fluffy clouds and a border around the painting of each day of Creation that is repeated in other rooms. He also decided to use beasts, fowl and fish that are indigenous to the Rowan County area and would be familiar to the children.

    After choosing colors from hundreds of paint chips, he decided to go with mostly primary colors. Using charcoal to sketch onto the walls, or making paper patterns for the larger objects, Sartor began his work at the beginning of February 2009. Except for a brief period when he was participating in the play 1776, he worked every afternoon until the beginning of October 2009.

    The first room he painted following the hallway was the Children’s Chapel. Walking into the room, you are greeted with large “doors” opening out into a scene reminiscent of Cave Run Lake, with a path leading to the water, a family enjoying the day, and the mountains in the distance. The walls of the room are decorated with windows that include symbols from the real windows in the Sanctuary. Sartor felt that this would give the children a sense of continuity and a familiar feel.

    In another classroom, the first thing you see is a large painting of Jesus with the children. To either side are children’s forms that merge into real children as they enter the picture. The silhouettes, which give the appearance of a children’s finger painting contain every color used in the painting. It is perfect for this room, along with the wildlife paintings alongside the window on the adjoining wall.

    As you enter the “music” or “bird” room, you are immediately struck by the melodious flow of colors in the musical staff that spreads around the room. The streamers of color flow past a painting of 2 robins, with a city scene that looks a lot like Morehead in the background, around the corner of the room, past a birdhouse, around a window and out from the feathers of a soaring bird, “Sing to the Lord a new song….”

    Dr. Sartor feels that the “most successful statement about the church” is the wall with a silhouette of Christ’s arms outstretched in a gesture of welcome surrounding a window looking out into the city. As he “integrated the window and the wall” into his art, this room affected me most of all. The warmth of the painting along with the verse “Come unto me and I will make you fishers of men,” is accompanied by a second painting of a sun perch surrounding a window and a silhouette of a fisherman. Once again the outside world is brought into the paintings.

    Above the coat racks close to the classrooms, are whimsical and beautiful sky scenes, clouds in the shape of the state of Kentucky with small “You are here” tags along with the Methodist Church symbol. Sitting at the end of each rack are friendly dogs and cats – just because!

    What is amazing about the whole project is that the verses in each room were chosen after the paintings had been completed. Pastor Bruce Nettleton’s choices blend perfectly with the artwork. Dr. Russ Brengleman and Dr. Jack Whidden, both retired professors of physics at Morehead State University, contributed their talents for precision, planning and placing the lettering on the walls.

    Joe Sartor was born in Missouri and has lived in Kentucky since 1968. He taught art for 33 years as Associate Professor of Art at Morehead State University. Since retiring, he pursues his love of music, theatre and painting. He has a studio at the Rowan County Arts Center and is working most afternoons.

    Rowan County Arts Center hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 12-6pm, Sundays from 2-5 p.m. and closed on Monday. For more information call 783-9857 or go to their website at rcartscenter.org

    As stated on his website sartor.myexpose.com, “I tend to regard my work as therapeutic. It is what I enjoy doing. It isn’t intended to be private, but if it were I think it would still benefit my will to live a productive life. If someone else enjoys my efforts, or shows interest, then it is even more fulfilling.” Dr. Sartor, many people for years to come will be enjoying your efforts. Thank you!