Theme Verse Brought to Life Through Art Installation by Senior Elise Loomis

by Abigail Wisniewski

Senior Elise Loomis took on the task of presenting this year’s theme verse in an art installation that will be displayed on Concordia’s quad on campus. The project features six panels that depict different trials and finding joy in those trials. Each of the panels was inspired by true stories from Concordia students.

“My hope is that when these pieces are viewed they will inspire perseverance in our community by the means of Christ’s eternal joy,” Loomis said.

A survey was sent out during the 2016 spring semester asking students to share their struggles in order to make the project personally relevant to students at Concordia. Loomis was surprised by the similarity of some of the stories, including two talking about open heart surgery.

“I felt very moved and honored that people were brave enough to share their suffering with me,” Loomis said. “I’m grateful to everyone who opened up. That really takes guts.”

The stories selected depict physical illness, mental illness, betrayal, temptation, death and loneliness.

In addition to hearing the stories of others, the project allowed Loomis to reflect on the trials in her own life. Each panel includes part of her own story.

“Last year, after having gone through several trials of my own… I was constantly praying for God to help me feel true joy again,” Loomis said. “I found it to be much more (than) a coincidence when I received James 1:2–3 as the verse I would be working on. God is faithful to answer your prayers, sometimes in unexpected formats.”

The project was a new challenge for Loomis as an artist pursuing an art therapy studio major.

“I have never taken on a project this big in my life, especially in such a demanding time frame,” Loomis said. “When trying to make something this large cohesive, you constantly have to rework your ideas and reinvent the processes you are using. This project was a good example of the difficult thinking involved in art-making, something most people aren’t aware of.”

The project will be on display in the quad for the duration of the academic school year.