Up the steps of a gorgeous Brownstone in the New York borough of Harlem lives Walter Rane, the oil painter known for for his sweeping portrayals of sacred stories that hang in chapels and meetinghouses around the world. His depictions of Book of Mormon and Restoration events, many of them acquired by the Church, have shaped the visual language of modern Latter-day Saint art. But what you may not know is that every few weeks, Walter Rane grabs a sketchbook, heads out into the New York evening, and joins a small gathering of Harlem ward members.

A Harlem Tradition

Portrait Night is not an official Church activity. But it’s become a tradition nonetheless, nurtured by members in and around the Harlem Ward. One evening at a time, it has become a treasured ritual. The setup is simple: someone volunteers their apartment, another friend poses as a model, and the rest come armed with pencils, paints, and curiosity. Artists and enthusiasts—some seasoned, some just giving it a try—gather around the room to capture a human face, a posture, a fleeting gesture.

Walter Rane is a regular.

The event always feels a little bit magical. It’s a close-knit group, but newcomers are always welcome. Conversations meander from technique to testimony. And as you look around the room, you see variations of the same face emerge on different pages—each one a little different, shaped by the hand that drew it (can you spot the Center’s Glen Nelson in the samples below?). It’s not about perfection; it’s about presence. It’s about looking closely. About seeing people.

That spirit—the warmth, the focus, the practice—is what Walter is bringing to the Center for Latter-day Saint Arts’ Virtual Festival this May.

Join Walter Rane for Portrait Night

In a special session inspired by Portrait Night, Walter Rane will invite you up into his Harlem home and host a live figure drawing class from his own studio. You’ll sketch alongside him as a model poses in real time, and he’ll guide you through the process—offering tips on movement, form, and how he goes about bringing a figure to life with just a few lines. It’s a chance to sit (virtually) at the elbow of a master artist and take part in the kind of honest, thoughtful creativity that fuels his work.

Whether you’re an experienced artist or haven’t drawn since primary school, this session is for you. You’ll receive a pencil and paper in your Festival Kit, so all you need to bring is a willingness to try.

Come for the conversation. Come for the sketching. Come to see how a novel tradition in Harlem has inspired one of the great artists of our faith. And maybe, come away seeing the human figure—and your own creative spark—a little differently.

Get your ticket now for the Virtual Festival, May 30–31, and join Walter Rane for Portrait Night from Harlem.

View the speakers for the Virtual Festival