Cloud of Witnesses

2012
white birch, brass accents
30" x 72"
Anoka, MN

Commissioned for the newly designed chapel at Zion Lutheran Church, it uses the text from the book of Hebrews focusing on 'such a great cloud of witnesses..' The piece is designed also to be removed from the wall and used as a freestanding panel in the main sanctuary for funerals, weddings, baptisms..

The text is in a modified Herculaneum font in kind of a run-on style, flowing around the candle stands all the way to the bottom of the panel. There are 12 candle stands in all, each with a brass bar at the back as a visual accent and for added reflectivity when the candles are lit.

White birch carves cleanly, and has a fine capacity for darkening the cut edges when varnished. Contrast the golden finish here with the blonde unfinished panel in the picture below..

This is the stand prior to the final finish, using the walnut base in free standing mode.

Since the chapel at Zion also contains the columbarium, the candles create a wonderful meditative atmosphere for those remembering loved ones.

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