Preacher turns Korean church into art gallery

The Rev. Choonki Kim has a vision for the Athens Korean Presbyterian Church that goes beyond his duties as a preacher. He wants to share Korean culture with Athenians and strengthen ties between his congregation and the local community.

As part of this, he envisioned an event that would facilitate greater communication between the predominately Korean congregation and their non-Korean neighbors.

That vision turned into a reality when he met Korean artist Min-Woo Chung of Lawrenceville.

Chung has worked as a professional artist for more than eight years, and shown his work at exhibitions across Georgia.

Kim had seen Chung's art hanging in the homes of his congregation members and says the beauty of the paintings had inspired him. He met with Chung, and they hatched a plan to use his art as a focal point for a community outreach event.

"When I met him earlier this year I shared my vision for the church, and he shared my vision," Kim says. "Our passion was met together."

Today the church's sanctuary and meeting rooms have been transformed into an art gallery filled with oil paintings that reflect Chung's unique perspective of Korean culture.

Chung's artwork is diverse in both subject matter and style, but his love for Korea is evident at almost every turn.

Mountainous landscapes explode with vibrant pinks and greens that depict the flowers and trees of his homeland at the height of springtime beauty.

Still life images of pottery and fresh fruit are rendered in terrific detail. Depictions of Korean men and women in traditional dress stand alongside beautifully drawn calligraphy. Shadowy figures with hands raised high seem to move to the inaudible rhythm of a Korean folk dance.

But not all of Chung's artwork is uniquely Korean.

He also is a devout Christian, and some of his paintings refle

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