MANSFIELD — For the first time since moving to Mansfield six years ago, Pastor Jody Odom Sr. of the Ambassadors for Christ Church will publicly display his divinely-inspired paintings in downtown Mansfield’s Green Room Gallery.
Odom found art as an outlet while growing up in Chicago and later recognized his talent as a teen. He only began taking it seriously as a young man when living in Youngstown, Ohio.
“I’d do landscape sceneries, and paintings of that nature, and then God gave me a vision. He told me he’s going to turn my easel into a tool kit for his ministry,” Odom said. “I tapped into his message in my art, and I’d begin to visually see my message, and I’d paint my message on canvas.”
Odom often performs live illustrations when preaching at the Ambassadors for Christ Church, located at 152 Cline Ave. But this will be his first art show planned for Mansfield. Odom has displayed his work previously in Youngstown and at venues in Indiana.
His exhibit, called “Works of Praise,” will be featured from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at the Green Room Art Gallery, 14 South Park St. It will include a variety of work, including some three-dimensional pieces and both realist and abstract works.
“I believe painting is a part of my ministry, and my purpose is to express God’s love on canvas,” Odom said. “All of my works of art have an inspirational message to them that will encourage and inspire people.”
The exhibit will also include a live painting by Odom and live music by his son, Jody Odom Jr.
