From the moment Janai stepped into Belóved Gallery with her daughter, Kynnadi, she found it hard to stop the tears.
“I immediately felt the presence of God,” she shared.
Little did she know what was in store. Both mother and daughter floated effortlessly between each colorful masterpiece by the child prodigy, reading Akiane’s poetry and thought-provoking words. When they finally landed in the Prince of Peace Sanctuary, the pair lingered.
“There were so many different emotions in the face that Akiane painted, depending on how you looked at it,” Kynnadi, a high schooler who loves theater and dancing, recalled in describing her profound experience of seeing Prince of Peace. “His eyes were comforting. They stare into your soul. He had this strength that reminded me Jesus will take care of me.”
A few years ago, Steve, father to Kynnadi and husband to Janai, passed away suddenly. While it has been a long road, both mother and daughter know they will be reunited with Steve one day because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross.
“Seeing Akiane’s painting confirmed how God reveals Himself to mankind,” Janai shared. “Jesus is real. He knows our pains. I felt a moment of deep intimacy where the tears came. Akiane’s painting is one of those things that confirms your faith.”
Janai and her daughter stood together in silence, but there was a shared communion between them.
“There was something beautiful about it,” Janai reflected later. “We each have our own relationship with Jesus, but the gallery provided this unique experience we could share together. I will never forget it.”
As the two turned to leave, Kynnadi revisited Jesus: The Missing Years, a portrait of a teenage Jesus completed by Akiane at age ten.
“It’s not something you see or think about often – Jesus being a teenager,” Kynnadi smiled. “He seemed the same age as me in the painting. I realized He lived a full-blown life and probably had struggles, too. He understands us, and that’s everything.
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Continue to partner with Belóved Gallery by telling 50 of your friends and family about your experience! Invite them to make a reservation for a tour of Akiane: The Early Years.
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Partner with Belóved Gallery with a one-time or recurring gift in support of one million people viewing Akiane: The Early Years exhibition at no charge.
Belóved Gallery is a private-operating foundation designated as a 501(c) (3)nonprofit organization, providing you with a tax-deductible donation benefit (Tax ID #87-4045476).
Volunteer
Want to join the mission? We are currently looking for volunteers to help lead tours of Akiane: The Early Years. Volunteers have a special front row seat to the many exciting things happening at Belóved Gallery and represent Belóved’s mission to the public.
Available Volunteer Roles:
Lead Tour Guide (Saturday)
Lead guests through the Akiane: The Early Years exhibition as they experience the miraculous story.
Concierge Support (Saturday)
Be the first to greet guests from around the world, assist with tour check-in, and ensure they leave feeling beloved.
This summer, take a guided tour of Akiane: The Early Years and experience peace.
We await your arrival,
Team Belóved
Founded to amplify the work of extraordinary artists, our mission is to inspire faith through art in people of all backgrounds.
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