Spokane, Washington – Twice a year a delegation from Pilgrim Slavic Baptist Church goes on a missionary trip to Ukraine. There, the delegation puts on summer camps for children and visits senior homes, sharing the gospel.
It was on a trip in 2016 that Pilgrim Slavic Baptist Pastor Vladimir Kronin got the idea to create a sort of mobile fine art gallery.
“I saw something similar where a church presented famous paintings in neighborhoods and parks,” Kronin said. “We decided to take it to the next level and print the reproduction paintings on canvas and put frames around them – so the paintings look like the originals.”
The Main Story Gallery features reproductions of more than a dozen masterpieces illustrating the life of Jesus from his birth to his ascension.
“The paintings come from all over the world, from Russia and Europe, and they are all by very famous painters,” Kronin said.
Some show biblical parables like the tale of the prodigal son who squanders his inheritance and returns home empty handed, only to be forgiven by his father.
“Paintings is also a way to talk to people and deliver an important message about what people should think about,” Kronin said. “Perhaps we as humans find ourselves in those paintings, depending on what’s the season of our life.”
A grant from the Avista Foundation will continue to make it possible for the Main Story Gallery to expand and travel throughout the community.
“We want to go to parks and schools and different community places that will accept us and share the gospel,” Kronin said. “We feel very supported by the community.”
At Avista, we recognize our unique position gives us the chance to contribute in an impactful way and make a real difference in people's lives. Since 2002, the Avista Foundation has made grants totaling over $12 million to organizations that support vulnerable and limited income populations, education, and economic and cultural vitality. For more information on grant applications and geographical areas covered, please visit avistafoundation.com.