(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The twin brothers who updated a large mural that initially survived the Good Friday fire that destroyed a South Side church are excited about the possibility of painting murals in the replacement church.
“We do know that they do want us to come in and do another mural,” said 60-year old Alan Hicks who, along with his twin brother Aaron, have been painting religious images commercially for the past 21 years.
According to their website, they have degrees from the University of Illinois in biocommunications/medical illustration.
They were the ones who updated a mural at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church more than a dozen years ago so that the figures looked more like the congregation in Englewood.
“Some people have been brought to tears just by looking at the paintings that we’ve done, spiritual paintings that we’ve done,” said Alan Hicks.
Aaron Hicks said he and his brother have talked to Pastor Gerald Dew and have received calls from the church’s parishioners about painting one or more murals when Antioch is re-built.
“I think things happen for a reason and by this happening, again, I think this is an opportunity to do bigger and better things.”
Alan Hicks said the brothers feel inspired when painting religious images.
“We’ve been brought up in the church so, having knowledge of the Word of God, this has inspired us to take images and put them on canvas.”
Aaron Hicks said he was blown away when he saw that the mural inside the church had first survived the fire. He looked at it as a miracle.
“To see that, it was just a sign to me of greater things to come, not only in that church but in that community,” said Aaron Hicks.
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