A heavenly realm
LOREN BENOIT/Press Cindy Duft, a Catholic artist from Boise, paints tiles on the sanctuary walls of St. George’s Catholic Church on Monday.
LOREN BENOIT/PressThe inside of St. George's Catholic Church is being transformed by hand-painted, Roman-style artwork with liturgical colors traditionally recognized by the Catholic Church. Artist, Cindy Duft, a fellow Catholic from Boise, started the project three weeks ago and is expected to finish in two weeks.
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
POST FALLS — It all started when a piece of cork board fell from the wall.
Now the front and back of the interior of St. George's Catholic Church is being transformed by hand-painted, Roman-style artwork with liturgical colors traditionally recognized by the Catholic Church.
"It's important for us as Catholics to have sacred, dedicated space," Father Timothy Ritchey said. "The word 'holy' means set apart, and this helps set us apart for worship."
The artist, Cindy Duft, a fellow Catholic from Boise, started the project three weeks ago and is expected to finish in two weeks.
The dominant art above the alcove features two angels lifting the paschal lamb, a flag symbolizing victory and a crown of thorns symbolizing the crucifixion.
Another painting in front of the tabernacle is of two adoring angels.
"There's tons of symbolism in the art," Duft said. "It's my passion."
The art also features realistic-looking tile, Roman arches and borders with iris, wheat and grapes.
"The stone is meant to look solid and symbolize strength," Duft said.
The biggest challenge, she said, was having the artwork complement the metal red beams in the sanctuary.
"The arches (in the artwork) were a way to soften the harsh angles (of the beams)," she said.
Duft said she was honored when she was contacted by the church to propose artwork ideas to church leaders, then was selected to perform the work. She said this is about the 25th Catholic church in Idaho that she has worked on.
"I love how parishioners are on board," she said while taking a break from painting on Monday morning. "I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to do this."
The artwork will complement a remodel of the altar, which will include new flooring, lighting, custom metal railing and stands that will hold statues of Joseph and Mary. The entire project is expected to be completed before Thanksgiving.
The front of the church formerly had no artwork — just cork board squares.
About 1,000 people attend the church. Ken Schake, a church attendee and maintenance man, said the remodel was needed after the addition was constructed 17 years ago.
"It needed a boost," he said.