Introducing: Betty Braig, Artist in Residence

On a recent Sunday, the pastor offered a dedication prayer for the one and only stained glass window to grace the Mountain View Lutheran church edifice.  The window was a gift of Betty Braig in memory of her late husband Russell.  The window was designed and commissioned by Betty and constructed by a local stained glass studio in Mesa, Arizona.  

It turns out that this is not the first piece of art Betty has contributed to her church.  Three of her acrylic paintings hang above the door most worshipers use to enter the church sanctuary.  They are described on successive blogs in this series.   Who is the gifted artist who has used her God-given talent to beautify our church?

Self Portrait in watercolors

Betty Braig was born in 1932 in Naylor, Missouri.  She earned college degrees at Phoenix College and Arizona State University (B.A. and M.A.).  She served as teacher and art gallery director from 1970-1992 at Phoenix Union High School District and then went on to serve as Gallery Director for the South Mountain Center for the Arts.  During her career she was a member of many professional organizations related to art and the recipient of several awards for her artistic work.  Specifically,

Betty was recipient of the Asilomar Faculty award, Watercolor West, David Gail award, Western Federation Watercolor; Best of Show, International Merit award, 1998-1999; Excellence award International Watermedia, 2005.

In addition to the panels in the narthex of the church, Betty is responsible for the 20-foot steel cross

and light pole sculptures which stand near the outside entry to the church.  We thank God for members and friends like Betty who freely give of their talents to edify God.

See these articles in this series:

• "Connections"
• "God is Light"
• "Salvation"