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Community prayers, comments requested as artist Charlie Newton completes Ed Johnson painting [photos]

Charlie Newton speaks with summer camp volunteers at Renaissance Presbyterian Church. (Photo from Charlie Newton) Charlie Newton speaks with summer camp volunteers at Renaissance Presbyterian Church. (Photo from Charlie Newton)

By Yolanda Putman June 10, 2018 3 min read

Photo Gallery

Community prayers, comments requested as artist Charlie Newton completes Ed Johnson painting

Renaissance Presbyterian Church summer camp trainees do artwork at the Association for Visual Arts. (Photo from Charlie Newton)

Renaissance Presbyterian Church Summer Camp volunteers pose for a group photo at AVA. (Photo from Charlie Newton)

Several volunteers with Renaissance Presbyterian work with Newton in his SPLASH art program for youth. (Photo from Charlie Newton)

"Morning Walk," a mixed media on paper work by Charlie Newton. (Photo from Charlie Newton)

"Covered," an oil on canvas by Charlie Newton. (Photo from Charlie Newton)

"Lost History," an oil on canvas by Charlie Newton. (Photo from Charlie Newton)

"The Walk," a mixed-media work on paper by Charlie Newton. (Photo from Charlie Newton)

"Prodigal," an oil on canvas by Charlie Newton. (Photo from Charlie Newton)

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

› Monday, June 18: Black Arts and Ideas Festival hosts a viewing of the painting at 6 p.m. at the AVA Gallery, 30 Frazier Ave. Panel discussion follows at 7 p.m.› Friday, June 22: The finished painting will be revealed in a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at AVA Gallery.

Charlie Newton says he hopes a planned painting of a man unjustly hanged on the Walnut Street Bridge will bring hope and healing to the Chattanooga community.

Ed Johnson was lynched on the Walnut Street Bridge in 1906 for allegedly raping a white woman. He was later found innocent of the charge.

The iconic bridge will be in the picture, but it will show no hanging, says Newton.

Instead it will show Johnson surrounded by saints.