Goddess in fresco evokes cries of paganism

Ben Long's art upsets hometown of Statesville

STATESVILLE -- A group of ministers is objecting to artist Ben Long's new fresco in the Statesville Civic Center, saying its central figure of a mythological three-headed goddess promotes paganism.

The ministers say Long's work-in-progress, which the public is invited to watch through its completion, should be redone with scenes of Iredell County - or canceled. Fifteen ministers recently shared their concerns about the work depicting Hecate, goddess of the crossroads, with Mayor John Marshall.

"It is not a depiction of the characteristics of Statesville," said the Rev. Ron Harrison, director of the South Yadkin Baptist Association, speaking as a citizen. "I just don't believe this is who we are.

"We could not have a picture of Christ in there, I know," he said. "But Hecate is a religious figure herself. She's well known as a leader of witches." Harrison plans to speak out about the fresco during a city council meeting later this month.

Statesville's Mayor Marshall feels differently: "I don't see in it what they see in it. Is it representative of Statesville? No. Is it the richness of the crossroads that is depicted? Yes."

Statesville is at the intersection of Interstates 77 and 40, and it was Marshall's suggestion that "crossroads" be the theme of the fresco. The work, which is 21 feet high and 19 feet wide, depicts a goddess serving as a guide to those at the crossroads, he said. "It says, `choose wisely,'" Marshall said.

Long, a Statesville native who has become nationally known for works that include paintings at Charlotte's Bank of America Corporate Center and St. Peter Catholic Church, said the giant fresco has been misinterpreted.

"I would hope they would look at the work as a whole," Long said Monday night, as he continued painting from scaffolding. "She was one of the main figures in Greek mythology and very symbolic of the crossroads."

The ministers said Hecate is more associated with the underworld than a Piedmont town of 22,000 known for its conservative values and large number of churches.

The fresco was created with too little public input, said the Rev. Pete Varvaris, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

"For it to have such a prominent place in the city, it should be more representative of who we are," he said. "We're going to have something divisive in a building that should unify us."

He said the city's decision on the fresco may affect his church's use of the civic center.

Marshall, standing near the scaffolding where workers Monday applied plaster to the work before Long continued, said he was surprised at the negative reaction.

Among the many scenes depicted are people shown working, disagreeing and falling in love. "Statesville is a far richer place for this work," Marshall said. "This is a world-class piece of art."

Statesville resident Marvin Norman was one of a half dozen adults and children watching the work Monday night. "I don't see it," he said, referring to the concerns over paganism. "I see some beautiful art."

At least $150,000 in donations and pledges has been raised as part of a $250,000 campaign to help pay for the fresco. Statesville businessman Anderson Sherrill, who is co-chairman of the campaign, said having a mythological figure in a work of art is not the same as worshiping an idol.

"It is well thought out, not inappropriate, and very well done," he said. "I think it is a great piece of art that will only add to our community."

Long, who is being paid $325,000, taped an encyclopedia definition of the goddess to the scaffolding to help explain Hecate to the many people who've come to see the fresco since a drawing was unveiled last month. Hecate also was a guardian of children and a patron of marriage, before becoming associated with the underworld.

An art expert said debate over the work may have already fulfilled its mission: to provoke conversation and debate.

"That is what public art is supposed to do," said Charles Joyner, chairman of the art and design department at N.C. State University.

Joyner said Statesville should continue discussions in a series of public forums that could explore the relationship between history, the church and public art.

Marshall said the city is committed to completing the fresco over the next few weeks. It is filled with details only visible through careful study. Marshall pointed to a solitary figure standing on a distant ridge and gazing into the a valley. Nearby, he said, the blind are leading the blind.

"It is art, and it is seen here and here," he said, pointing to his head and his heart.

Staff writers Joe Marusak and Shirley Hunter Moore contributed to this article.