Bishop Gadsden commissions painting of Simeon's story

THE POST & COURIER
March 6, 2011

"The Blessing of St Simeon" by Karen Turner

SOUTH CAROLINA--The art enterprise harked back to the days of church commissions, when painters were asked to create a picture to decorate the sanctuary and parishioners could contemplate the visual representation of a good biblical story and perhaps relate it to their lives. In October 2009, about three years after the Bishop Gadsden retirement community on James Island completed work on its new chapel, it decided to fill a white wall in the chapel's apse, behind the altar, with a work of art. Karen Larson Turner, a 41-year-old artist living in Mount Pleasant, answered the call. Turner created "The Presentation of Christ in the Temple" from the story of Simeon recounted in Luke 2:22-40. The Rev. Frank Russ, Bishop Gadsden's chaplain, said residents visit the chapel frequently to look at the painting, which made its debut in November. And it has altered the experience of church services, he added. Bill Trawick, the retiremen community's President & CEO said congregants see their community reflected in the work, they see the force of faith, they see themselves and the intangible reward of devotion and love. It's the right message in the right place at the right time, Trawick said. "It puts the finishing touch to the chapel." [link]