Shadow-Art Panel Exhibit by visual artist Leslie Kitashima Gray at Centenary in Little TokyoNEW

Centenary is hosting a lenten art installation in the sanctuary from visual artist Leslie Kitashima Gray. This reflective installation will take viewers on a meditative journey toward the Cross, connecting them with themes that are both traditional and also translated into meaningful images for contemporary life. Inspired by the Stations of the Cross and in response to acts of violence perpetrated in the name of religion, A Lenten Meditative Art Installation gives the viewer a point of reflection on suffering and forgiveness that Leslie believe speaks to all, no matter your religious perspective. The installation will be open to the public for viewing and reflection on the following days:

Wed. May 29^th from 6:30pm to 9pm
Thurs. May 30^th from 6:30pm to 9pm
Friday May 1^st from 6:30pm to 9pm
Saturday May 2^nd from 10am to 4pm

Press release from 3/2015:
CENTENARY UMC is thrilled to announce its plan to commission visual artist Leslie Kitashima Gray to create a series of shadow-art panels representing the Way of the Cross for the Lenten Season 2015. This reflective installation will take viewers on a meditative journey toward the Cross connecting them with themes that are both traditional and also translated into meaningful images for contemporary life. Guided and self-guided tours of the art installation will be scheduled during Lent and Easter Week for the entire community to experience. During this Season of Lent, especially in response to the severe violence in our world, it is appropriate to take a moment and contemplate the nature of suffering and death, and triumph over them both.

 Each panel will be cut from paper and prepared, using special lighting, to cast a shadow of the image on a portion of the wall of Centenary's sanctuary. Inspired by the Scriptural Stations of the Cross, each image will represent one of the known scenes making the experience open for any denomination.

 The panels will be mounted in succession, the first to be on view during the last week of February 2015 culminating on Easter Week. Public announcements of the installation are planned to be projected on the church parking lot wall encouraging a wider audience.