SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – Evangel University professor Mike Buesking’s oil painting “The Work of Our Hands (Psalm 90:17)” is featured in the Boger Gallery in the Jones Learning Center at College of the Ozarks as part of their “We Are Together: Icons of Hope” exhibit. The exhibit runs now through April 23. The gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.
“We Are Together” is a statement of solidarity by Western artists of the Christian faith with Ukrainian artists facing hardship and loss as a result of the country’s war with Russia. Following the exhibit at the Boger Gallery, the work will travel to Lviv, Ukraine, and will be sold to establish a benevolence fund for contemporary icon painters in Lviv and western Ukraine.
“The sense of hope I have concerning Ukraine involves the labor required to build and repair. These work gloves are an invitation to join and participate in that extraordinary effort,” Buesking said. “The work and the laborers from multiple sectors coalesce to be an offering to God – as well as a “hands-on” embodiment of Moses’ prayer at the end of Psalm 90: ‘May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us.’”
Buesking joined Evangel’s faculty in 1991, and in the over 30 years since, he has helped establish the art program as a robust, Christ-centered degree where students develop the knowledge and skills necessary for a career in an arts-related field. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from the University of Missouri, a Master of Science in Education in Teaching Art from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, and a Bachelor of Arts in Art from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale.
Anyone interested in learning more about the “We Are Together” exhibition or wanting to purchase artwork is encouraged to contact the Boger Gallery at bogergallery@cofo.edu.
Art at Evangel
Evangel University is home to the state-of-the-art Lawrence & Alletha Barnett Fine Arts Center, which opened in 2002.
The Art Education degree at Evangel is for creative art students seeking certification to teach in elementary, junior high, or high school grades. EU’s program meets the Missouri state requirements for certification in Art Education, grades K-12.
Students who desire a well-rounded approach to artistic disciplines may earn a Bachelor of Arts in Art degree. The program requires 45 credits in art and is a good option for a double major. The department also offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, where students take a wide variety of studio mediums, with an emphasis on studio work or graphic design. Both combine art history courses with practical expertise in various studio areas.
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Evangel University, with its embedded Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS), is a comprehensive Spirit-led Christian university located in Springfield, Missouri. It is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Under the leadership of Dr. Mike Rakes, EU is committed to excellence in educating and equipping students to serve the Church and society globally and becoming compassionate innovators in their chosen vocations. EU offers more than 70 degree programs, including cutting-edge majors, pre-professional programs, and affordable and flexible online degree options.
EU is highly regarded and has been ranked:
- #1 Best College in Springfield & #2 Best Christian College in Missouri by Niche
- US News & World Report Best Colleges Top Performer in Social Mobility
- Colleges of Distinction Best Christian University
- Top 10 Best Universities by AcademicInfluence.com
- Third Most Beautiful Campus in the Midwest by Christian Colleges & Universities
- Top 10 Best Colleges in Missouri by BestColleges.com
With additional accreditations in business, counseling, music, social work, and theology and certification as an Excellence in Giving university, EU is focused on providing students with hands-on experience and real-world training for today’s professional careers. Learn more about the university at evangel.edu.