Upper Room Gallery
Where Art and Spirituality Meet
The Upper Room
Art and Spirituality Meet
We were created to be creative. Art can evoke emotion, invite contemplation, encourage discussion, build community, and bring us closer to God. Art can also unite diverse people through expressions that inspire and challenge us. The prophetic nature of the arts can bring social issues of the day to our attention.
About the Gallery
St. Paul’s Upper Room Gallery is a light-filled space where we welcome visual artists to exhibit their work and invite the community to view it. The gallery is one avenue we use to fulfill our church mission and vision.
The gallery also features a beautiful indoor labyrinth. A labyrinth is an ancient spiritual tool for centering, contemplation, and prayer. It is not a maze in which you can get lost, but a single path into the center and back out again. You are invited to walk the labyrinth’s path while quieting your mind and focusing on a spiritual question or prayer. Feel free to walk the labyrinth any time the Upper Room Gallery is open.
Visitor Information
Enter St. Paul’s using the 2nd Avenue doors, take the stairs or elevator to the 2nd floor to check in at the office during the week, and then take the elevator to the 3rd floor. The elevator opens directly into the gallery.
Upper Room Gallery Hours
Sunday 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Interested in Exhibiting?
We’d love to hear from you!
Contact our arts ministry leader or visit our contact page for more information.
Current Shows and Talks
Building Bridges: New Immigration Art Exhibit The stories and faces of immigrants in the United States are not new to St. Paul’s. We have a thriving African Nationals congregation, members who regularly participate in protective accompaniments at the Cedar Rapids ICE office, and a mission statement that declares our desire to welcome all and our belief that all belong. Now we are displaying a new art exhibit called Building Bridges: Portraits of Immigrants and Refugees. This photo-text exhibit, which will be up through mid-October, features photographs and interviews with people who have come to the United States as immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. The exhibit helps challenge ignorance and hatred with education and love. It is provided by the Family Diversity Projects, which brought us the Love Makes a Family display last fall.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
1 Peter 4:10 NRSVUE