Making the Arts Connection at First Presbyterian

Feature image: Arts Connection’s exhibit features the alcohol ink works by Patricia Chase

The hurricanes of 2024 certainly added tumult to the year. Many programs, including the Arts Connection at the First Presbyterian Church, seemed to be shoehorned in between these natural events. But now, 2025 is offering a fresh breath and a new start to these endeavors.

Ronn Johnson, one of the organizers, noted that he “wanted to bring the arts to FPC so that our congregation could have the enlightening experiences I was seeing in other churches.” He, and other artists from the congregation, came together to start an arts outreach program. “We want to demonstrate that the arts are more than hanging pretty pictures on a wall.”

It is a new focus for this congregation, which was founded in 1895 by 16 men and women. The church itself, something of an artistic landmark in Old Northeast, is a 1967 contemporary building designed by nationally known architect Craig Gaulder Davis. The structure already boasts beautiful stained-glass windows, including the popular burning bush window, which was even replicated on the church’s Little Free Library outside. 

To prepare for the Arts Connection program, however, the congregation installed a professional hanging system and adjusted the existing lighting for the first show. They put out a call for works from members, family, friends, and the community. Twenty-six people submitted 42 works, mixing beloved pieces from personal collections as well as art from 15 local artists. It was hosted in the church’s chapel, surrounded by the building’s stained-glass windows. 

“The show’s opening was held the weekend between Helene and Milton. We went ahead with the unfortunate timing, but it turned out to be a blessing,” said Johnson. “We had record attendance and people seemed to need the time to be together. One member, who had just lost her home to flooding, said, ‘I just needed some normalcy after a very difficult week.’ Of course, we had no way of knowing another devastating hurricane would hit the next weekend.”

The success of the show, and the need it filled in the community, created encouragement for more artistic outreach. The Arts Connection was destined to move into the new year. “For this season, we have two more art shows scheduled,” said Johnson. “The first is Natural Wonders by local professional artist Patricia Chase, who works in alcohol ink.”

For eight years, Chase was director of Suntan Art Center on St. Pete Beach. She has degrees in art and art history and has owned art businesses in Vermont and Connecticut. In addition to loving to explore the surprises of painting with alcohol ink, she works in warm glass, kiln-fired glass, glass mosaic, and acrylics. 

“Alcohol ink is a relatively new medium and a lot of people seem to be interested,” Johnson explained. “I saw Patricia’s work several years ago before I saw it from anyone else. I was blown away by the color and her subject matter. I have worked with her for 12 years or more and I am always in awe of her works. When we started thinking about shows, she was the first one who came to mind. I knew she did workshops and that was something we wanted to introduce in The Arts Connection.”

Chase’s show will feature sea creatures, lily pads, and florals, said Johnson, and she will also host two public workshops on using alcohol ink. “She assures us that you do not have to be an artist to participate, and everyone will walk out of the workshop with four art tiles you will be proud of.”

Arts Connection’s third show is a traveling exhibit, Stations of the Cross, by local collage artist Dee Perconti. The show traces the steps of Jesus from his trial to his crucifixion on the cross. “Each visitor will have the spiritual experience of walking his path,” Johnson explained. “This is the third year these amazing works have been shown locally during the Lenten season.”

There is also a workshop in conjunction with this show. Dee will help attendees create art with found objects, which will be publicly exhibited with the feature show; after closing the works will be returned to their creators.

 “For the future, we hope to form a ‘sisterhood’ of churches to work together,” Johnson said. “We are expanding to include dance, poetry-literature, classes, culinary arts, craft fairs, theater, fabric art, and experimental coffee house, and outdoor art.” To accomplish this, he noted, the program will need a variety of people “interested in working on and participating in a wide variety of subjects. We want to expand the shows to the whole campus, maybe the sanctuary and other public rooms, the outside of the building, and the various outdoor spaces on our campus.”

The end goal, he said, is to educate and expose the community to the “glory of art.”

“This program is for everyone in the community, not just members of FPC. People seem to be hung-up on the idea that they are not an artist,” said Johnson. “We do not want to train artists; we want to offer and expose everyone to the many aspects of art. Art is in everyday life, sometimes we just have to point it out to see it.”

Patricia Chase Workshops held on February 18 and February 22. Additional dates may be added. Tiles will be provided to participants along with lessons on various techniques. For more information, contact Ronn Johnson at rjohnson632@tampabay.rr.com. To sign up for classes, contact the church office at 727-822-2031. More about FPC at fpcstpete.com.