CLEVELAND — It’s been five years since incarcerated people from a Tennessee prison brought out their brushes and put together a project that is now part of the Family of Faith United Methodist Church’s Good Friday traditions.

What You Need To Know

  • The Family of Faith United Methodist Church is putting on a Good Friday gallery featuring art pieces that were created by people on death row
  • The one-day exhibit will be on display from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • The project’s lead artist, Derrick Quintero, was executed in 2021. Only a few of the original painters remain living, according to the Family of Faith church

Reverend Michael Farmer is leading the church in decorating its walls and putting together 14 stations for visitors to experience before Easter. The images, which depict the last moments of Jesus’ life, were created behind bars by people on death row. The art was made public in 2022, Farmer said, but most of these artists are no longer living.

“There’s always a time for forgiveness, and unfortunately, when we have the execution and death penalty, that does not allow for that to happen,” Farmer said.

Farmer said they’re the first church to have them on display in the Akron area, but the paintings carry a universal message.

“So it causes us to pause and reflect on is our justice system really just. And if it isn’t, then what can we do as people of faith to address some of those issues?” he said.

The church is partnering with several local groups, including the UMC’s United Women in Faith organization.

“I looked up various stations of the cross and got some ideas for the props that we might use to in conjunction with the pictures, and that’s kind of how it all got started,” said United Women in Faith President Judy Hinkle.

The church is also continuing its long-time partnership with the East and West Ohio Conferences of the United Methodist Church.

William Fenton-Jones is the director of multicultural ministries for both conferences. He said, the Good Friday gallery is an example of the UMC’s ongoing mission.

“It gives an opportunity to engage and think about how we want to be as a society. The United Methodists recognizing inherent dignity and worth of all people,” Fenton-Jones said. “And the death penalty denies the opportunity for Christ to redeem and to restore those who’ve been broken.”

The United Methodist Church partners with other organizations like the Ohio Council of Churches, which Fenton-Jones said, is committed to ending the death penalty in Ohio. (Spectrum News/ Tanya Velazquez)

While the pictures represent mercy and sacrifice on the cross, Fenton-Jones said, these concepts are still relevant today.

“How we offer grace to one another, how we practice forgiveness with one another, is important for us to reflect on during this week when we’re considering the life of Jesus,” he said.

As many families are getting ready for a weekend of scavenger hunts and egg decorating, Farmer said, it’s important to keep in mind those who won’t can’t participate.

“And we know that pain and suffering still exists in this world,” Farmer said. “But we also know that through God, and through God’s grace and gift of grace, that we all can receive salvation.”