The Burning Bush Gallery announces its Grand Re-Opening and introduces Timothy R. Botts art on February 16th

The Burning Bush Gallery, which plays a vital role in the life of the Wheaton community, reopens its doors on February 16th. It is a great and significant event because this gallery has already changed the lives of many people and continues to help them grow spiritually. And now, a few days before its Grand Re-Opening, I want to share my personal story related to it and tell you how this gallery has changed me.

I was introduced to it last fall and consider it as one of the most inspiring places that I have seen in Illinois. Since joining the Naperville Art League and the DuPage Art League, I am exposed to the community of artists – creative and thoughtful people who express their thoughts and feelings through the means of the visual arts. One of the well-known and recognized artists in our community, Bill Austin, told me about the Burning Bush gallery in Wheaton and offered to let me participate in one of their exhibits. That is how my journey began.

I became a part of that gallery and learned that the Burning Bush Gallery is a ministry of Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton. Located in the two-story, old white little house right next to the church, the gallery was opened in 2008. Since then, that place has inspired a lot of artists to participate in their exhibits that reflect not only spiritual topics and themes, but are also related to social and psychological issues. One of my favorite exhibits was The Psalms, which took place in October, 2013 and was dedicated to the Burning Bush Gallery’s Fifth Year anniversary.

The first time in my life I painted something related to religion and to the Bible, and I can tell you that work became a turning point for me. It was not only about painting; the theme of the exhibit made me study the Bible, read Psalms, think, analyze and eventually grow. When the exhibit was over, I put my painting in my bedroom and every night now I look at it and it keeps inspiring me. Thanks to the Burning Bush gallery and to the two great men – Bill Austin and Tony Asta - who worked hard to organize this gallery, kept it alive, developed it, and who inspired and keep inspiring people like me become part of the Burning Bush gallery and grow spiritually and professionally.

However, the Burning Bush Gallery is not only about the visual arts. The gallery also hosts prayer sessions, Open Mic nights, yoga classes, Movies with Meaning nights, meditations sessions, and many other helpful and interesting events. It became a very important place for many people and united them.

Therefore, I was very happy and excited to find out that the reopening of the gallery will also feature an amazing show called Dancing with the Scroll: Words Inspired by Scripture in Calligraphy by Timothy R. Botts. This show features eighteen original calligraphic works by this world renowned artist.

Timothy R. Botts is famous for his Biblical work which is the core of his spirituality. For forty years he designed books for Tyndale House Publishers before retiring in 2012. Now, Tim teaches part time at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn and also with calligraphy guilds internationally. He published ten books of his own work, and since 2002 he has been the artistic director for Masterpiece Ministries which is an arts camp for high school students.

“Creating word pictures – making words look like what they mean – has become the most powerful way for me to commune with God because of my visual orientation,” said Mr. Botts. Everyone who is interested in learning about his work can come to the gallery, view it and even purchase his art. The show will run from February 16th and through March 3rd.

It will open with the Artists Reception from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. which will be a great opportunity for people to socialize, learn about the show and enjoy the extensive renovations that took place at the gallery. New designer kitchen, new oak and maple floors, and new paint job help this old house, which was built in 1897, look more welcoming and fresh. It will also be a more pleasant place to serve the artists and the public.

The Burning Bush gallery is located at 216 N. Main in Wheaton and its founders, Bill Austin and Tony Asta, are always happy to answer your questions related to the gallery. Please, contact Tony at 708-705-8669 or by sending him an email to tonyasta@ameritech.net, and Bill Austin at 630-336-3352 or email him at bau5142277@aol.com. They hope that the gallery will definitely find its place in your hearts.

Natalia Dagenhart Copyright