Unitarian Universalist Church has a brand-new steeple perched atop the church, created by Gigi Gaulin, a Hot Springs artist.
By David Malcolm Rose
For many years, the modest steeple of the Unitarian Universalist Church at 1701 Spring Street has gone without adornment. It has long been in need of a chalice and flame, the symbol of the U.U.s.
The symbol was created in 1941 by Austrian artist and refugee Hans Deutsch while living in occupied Paris. It was designed as a symbol of hope and was placed in windows to identify aid workers assisting refugees of all denominations in escaping Nazi persecution.
Our Spring Street church has not been called upon to serve such a noble purpose, but we are proud of our history. Getting the chalice and getting it installed was a Lilies of the Field sort of thing. Several members had seen the work of Gigi Gaulin, a local Hot Springs artist. It is authentic and powerful stuff.
We asked Gigi if she would make us a chalice and flame, and she did. She took pieces of discarded scrap iron and assembled them into a work of art. A perfect metaphor for what we strive to do in our church, what every church should strive to do. Lift up the damaged and abandoned.
Then we asked Dan Sublett, of Sublett Signs, if he could install it with his bucket truck. He picked it up on a Friday, and it was in place on the steeple by Saturday.
If you get a chance to visit Gigi’s Gallery, you should. Check her website gigigaulin.com for details. And if you need a sign, Dan is your man.
David Rose, of Hot Springs, is an author and artist.
{More of David’s musings can be found at thespringsmagazine.com/category/arts/david-rose/.}
