Illuminating faith

|PIC1|The people of Stirling and the surrounding district will enjoy some stimulating cultural fare this Christmas as an exhibition of contemporary art comes to the town’s Smith Art Gallery and Museum.

Graham Sutherland, Patrick Heron and Elizabeth Frink are just three of the artists whose work will be exhibited at the Stirling Smith Art Gallery in December and January.

The Methodist Church Collection of Modern Christian Art is a unique assembly of recent art containing over 40 works depicting aspects of the life and teaching of Christ.

The exhibition is the final event in the Scottish Bible Society’s Bicentenary celebrations and includes a packed programme of events such as storytelling sessions, art workshops and lectures.

Elaine Duncan, Chief Executive of the Scottish Bible Society, said: “This is a wonderful way to round off our year of celebration. Throughout 2009 we have marked our anniversary by making the Bible available to people in creative ways and this exhibition typifies this approach.

"We hope that as people get up close to these stunning pieces of contemporary art they will gain a deeper understanding of the Bible’s message and we’re particularly pleased that the central location of the exhibition gives many people the opportunity to visit it over the festive period.”

The exhibition will be opened by Scottish artist John Lowrie Morrison (Jolomo) on Friday 11 December and will continue until Sunday 24 January 2010 (closed 25 December-4 January). Admission is free of charge.