{"id":46862,"date":"2016-02-26T19:53:17","date_gmt":"2016-02-26T19:53:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/alumni\/?p=46862"},"modified":"2016-02-26T19:57:48","modified_gmt":"2016-02-26T19:57:48","slug":"finding-art-in-pooling-our-brokenness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/alumni\/2016\/02\/26\/finding-art-in-pooling-our-brokenness\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding Art in Pooling Brokenness"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Barb<\/a>Three years ago at Valley of Peace Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, Minn., three parishioners responded to their pastor\u2019s request to take on a Lenten art project, and create a mosaic for their church entry. Led by Barb Mikelson \u201971<\/strong>, the committee also included Emilie Moravec \u201907 and Jon Daniels \u201988\u2014all three Auggies.<\/p>\n

\"full-mosaic\"<\/a>Inspired by a mosaic being produced by St. Paul\u2019s Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, they did their homework, learning how to break and cut ceramics and tile, use a tile nipper, and manage grout. They discussed methods, materials, timing, and logistics\u2014and worked on theme and design, eventually deciding to focus on 2 Corinthians 4:7, \u201cBut we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.\u201d The design, primarily Mikelson\u2019s work, echoed the stained glass window design in the sanctuary, created by an Augsburg professor, the late August Molder, and incorporating the rainbow colors symbolic of a parish that identifies as a Reconciling in Christ congregation.<\/p>\n

\"Jon<\/a>When the committee extended the invitation for help, they were astonished that about 80 individuals came forward, ranging in age from 4 to 80. Some simply donated broken bits of ceramic from their homes, others worked on sorting the donations by color, or cutting\/breaking tile and ceramics. Most everyone worked on piecing bits of ceramic together in the mosaic, with those most confident in their abilities working on the more complex sections.<\/p>\n

Over about a three-week period, at each of four work sessions a week, anywhere from 4 to 15 individuals would appear to help. Located in the choir room, the project was \u201chighly visible and a bit in the way,\u201d said Mikelson. People could watch the progress, and participants enjoyed pointing out their part of the project to family and friends.<\/p>\n

\"Emilie\"<\/a>The project became part of the parish\u2019s Lenten journey. Mikelson said, \u201cFrom our brokenness and pieces, we worked together to create beauty and wholeness. There was also a sort of unspoken sense of awe among the participants, knowing that our work would be installed directly inside the entrance to our church, and would be the sight to welcome people as they entered.\u201d Even today, people walk past the mosaic in the church entry and touch the section on which they worked.<\/p>\n

Though Mikelson spent most of her earlier career in retail human resources, she served the last 12 years as director of her church\u2019s all-day, year-round early childhood education center, All God\u2019s Children Learning Center\u2014work that she found inspiring and humbling. Having just retired in January, Mikelson is pleased that the school\u2019s leadership is now in the able hands of another Auggie, Courtney Gadbois-Brumbaugh \u201995.<\/p>\n

Mikelson\u2019s retirement will afford her more time for her garden and for volunteering, and she and her husband, Paul \u201970, look forward to traveling more and spending more time with their two \u201cterrific\u201d married children and spouses, and their three \u201cbeautiful\u201d grandchildren. She hopes there may be some opportunities for new creative efforts in the future, too. \u201cThere is talk of a community weaving project at Valley of Peace,\u201d she says, \u201cso stay tuned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014by Cheryl Crockett \u201989<\/p>\n

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