BJU To Present 'Living Gallery'

An Upstate Easter tradition will reach its 15th year when BJU presents its "Living Gallery" production. The Living Gallery begins Thursday and lasts through Saturday.

This year’s production is titled “Somewhere Forever.” Tickets for the seven performances are available online or by calling (864) 770-1372.

“We are thrilled to be able to serve the Upstate community again this year by providing this Easter-themed production,” said Darren Lawson, Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Communication for BJU. “It’s hard to believe that BJU produced the first Living Gallery production 15 years ago. Countless people have been blessed and challenged each year by the message of Easter displayed in these performances. The Living Gallery has truly become a tradition for many in the Upstate.”

The event features life-size reproductions of classic works of religious art, incorporating live actors into the paintings and sculptures. Along with the art, this year’s new drama, directed by university faculty member Jeff Stegall, tells the story of three lives in crisis: A man facing life as a widower at age 30; an abuse victim unable to find peace; and a 20-something who wants to break away from his past. When conversations in a local coffee shop turn to matters of life and death, failure and hope, Tyler, Lizzie and Chris must decide what to do with the claims of Christ. How will each respond to the fact that they will all live somewhere forever?

The “Somewhere Forever” production will begin with a short video montage of the previous Living Gallery productions. This year’s event features Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” and Benjamin West’s “The Ascension of Our Lord,” along with seven other paintings and two sculptures. Over the past 15 years, the productions have featured a total of 36 paintings, five relief pieces, 11 sculptures and four stained-glass pieces. Eight artists have been responsible for creating the 56 works, which each take an average of 200 gallons of paint. The tallest piece ever used, “Storm on the Sea of Galilee,” is 30 feet.