The Iowa Photo: A neighborhood beacon

Wellington Heights murals reflects neighborhood, aspirations

Sep. 8, 2022 11:56 am

Myles Kidd, 7, walks with his brother Kohen, 5, in front of a mural on the side of the Wellington Heights Community Church during an open house at the church in southeast Cedar Rapids on Sunday, Aug. 28. The building, which at various times housed a corner store, a hair and beauty products store as well as the Paul Engle Center, underwent renovation to become a neighborhood church. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

“I wanted to get a photograph of the mural on the side of Wellington Heights Community Church since it’s sort of a beacon for the neighborhood: showing viewers what makes the neighborhood special to community members,” said senior photojournalist Jim Slosiarek. The mural, designed by teaching artist Christina Farrell, depicts themes of love, joy, hope and peace. “I wanted to get a human element in the composition, so I was glad when Myles and his brother Kohen walked through the colorful frame. I’m not much of a gear head, but having a camera with an articulated screen allowed me to actually compose the photograph and pick the moment I wanted to record instead of just laying the camera on the grass, pointing it in the general direction, tripping the shutter and taking a series of photos, praying I captured a good moment. I slowed the shutter speed down to blur the brothers, creating a sense of motion.”