By Kelli Urry
BYU?s Museum of Art is starting a new monthly program focusing on one of its signature pieces, Carl Bloch?s painting, ?Christ Healing the Sick at Bethesda.?
?The Healing Hand: a Family Presentation on Carl Bloch?s Christ Healing the Sick at Bethesda? will take place the first Monday of every month and will feature two sessions. The first session at 7 p.m. is aimed at families and members of the community, followed by an 8 p.m. session aimed at BYU family home evening groups.
Members of the theater, dance and education departments at BYU collaborated with museum staff developing ways to help people interact with the painting.
The multimedia presentation will feature a live narrator and discussion about the 19th century Danish painter?s life and artistic techniques. Part of the program will allow audience members to dress in costumes and participate in a live representation of the painting.
?We really wanted people to engage in the artwork,? said Rita Wright, an educator at the museum. ?Learning is not as powerful if you?re listening to someone present. It?s so much more insightful and long-lasting if you?re participating.?
Cheryll May, head curator at the museum, encouraged students to take the time to experience the painting on a personal level.
?The Bloch painting is a real blessing on campus,? May said. ?The more students know about it, the more it will increase their appreciation for the painting?s spiritual message.?
The painting has inspired students since its arrival on campus in August of 2001.
?The Bloch painting permeates the whole museum, it relates a healing that each of us needs,? said Wright. ?It?s one of the signature pieces that captures the mission of the museum and university.?
Wright said she hopes the program will encourage people to come back and visit the museum and explore other exhibits.
The program will begin on the lower level of the museum in the auditorium and conclude in the West Lied Gallery. The program is free, but seating is limited. Groups of ten or more people need to reserve their seats by calling the museum information desk at 422-8287.