The creative ministries of First United Methodist Church of Alexandria continue to build momentum, with a season of art gatherings and community events over recent months setting the stage for a full spring across April and May.
Since October 2025, the church’s Urban Sketching group—led by Artist-in-Residence Rev. Jean Sanders—has met regularly throughout the Alexandria–Pineville area. Gathering at locations such as Tamp & Grind Coffee, the Alexandria Farmer’s Market, and other community spaces, the group has emphasized presence, observation, and shared experience over artistic skill. These meet-ups, along with hands-on offerings like the March “Painting on Denim” pop-up session, have created accessible opportunities for creative expression, encouraging participants to slow down and engage their surroundings through direct observation.
That rhythm continues into the spring with the next Urban Sketching gathering scheduled for Saturday, April 11 at 10AM at the Alexandria Museum of Art. The morning will begin with a guided presentation by Gar Pickering inside the museum’s 13th-century Spanish chapel reproduction from the 2003 Heart of Spain exhibition, exploring biblical themes and the role of sacred imagery in Christian teaching and Western art. From there, participants may sketch within the chapel or move outdoors to capture downtown Alexandria and the Red River. As with previous gatherings, the event is free and open to the public, with museum admission also free during Second Saturday programming.
A central highlight of the season is the Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival, now in its 58th year, taking place April 17–26, 2026. The festival opens with a reception at 6PM on April 17, launching ten days of visual art exhibits and community programming. Exhibits will be open daily from 10AM to 4PM, as well as during scheduled special events, all offered free and open to the public. A full festival schedule is expected soon, with additional details to follow.
As one of the longest-running arts events in the region, the festival reflects the church’s longstanding commitment to fostering creativity and making the arts accessible to the wider community. It also stands as a natural extension of the same vision seen in the Urban Sketching gatherings—creating space for people to engage, reflect, and connect through shared creative experience.
Alongside the visual arts, the church has also introduced the “Be Kind Concert Series,” a new outdoor gathering designed to bring neighbors together through live music in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. The series began in late March and will continue with upcoming dates on April 23 and May 28. Held in the church courtyard, the concerts invite guests to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and enjoy an evening centered on connection and community. Admission remains free, with opportunities to support participating musicians.
Supported by Operation Kindness, the concert series and broader arts programming share a common goal: to cultivate spaces where belonging is nurtured, connections are formed, and community is strengthened.
With ongoing sketching meet-ups, a major arts festival, and a growing calendar of gatherings, First United Methodist Church of Alexandria continues to offer open invitations to participate in creative life together—where art, hospitality, and faith in Christ meet in simple but meaningful ways. Visit fumca.org to keep up with what is going on.