Sikeston man's crosses now on display at Depot

SIKESTON -- If everyone has a cross to bear, Lynn Akins' is that he can't stop creating crosses.

The Sikeston resident has some two dozen crosses in the current art display at the Sikeston Depot.

"I don't ever get tired of making crosses," said Akins. "I am hardly finished with one before I start thinking about making another."

The local artist's creation range from those reaching from the floor to the ceiling to smaller works tucked into the display cases at the Depot.

It all began, he explained, a number of years ago while attending the Hunter Memorial Presbyterian Church with his wife on Sundays. As he admired the cross behind the church's pulpit, he said he decided to create his own.

The first cross was made to honor his wife, following her death from cancer. Karen's Cross is hollow in the center then filled with the mementos given to her by friends during her illness.

Since then he has created crosses from a variety of materials and styles.

"I'm always looking for a new cross," said Akins. "One that will attract attention and people will stop, look and hopefully get the message of what the cross is all about ... salvation."

And if they don't still get the message, Akins has spelled it out on one of his larger works.

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