Posted by fieldfinearts 14th 2008 June
Categories: Life and faith issues, Art in the community
A seminar and meeting for Artisans and others
Veritasse provides good opportunities for networking through the web site and newsletters but perhaps there is a need for Artisans to meet occasionally. I understand that Veritasse doesn’t have the resources to make this happen but I would be willing to put some time to it should there be sufficient interest. My suggestion is this:We meet at a venue in Monmouth on a Saturday next spring. The invitation would be open to anyone interested in Christian arts but possible Veritasse members would pay a discounted attendance fee.We would have presentations from specialist speakers on say (i) A Biblical perspective of the arts (ii) The history of Christian art (iii) the use of the arts in today’s church – these topics negotiable.Morning and afternoon we would have a group of artist making short presentations of their work then as a panel responding to questions from the floor.We would make a charge sufficient to cover expenses of speakers, use of the venue and tea/coffee and lunch i.e. no intention to make a profit. Any surplus to be passed to the venue if a church organisation. If a loss - any ideas?During the evening we could have an informal social for those able to stay on. If this is to go ahead I would like to have a real sense of whether or not it would be supported. I would be willing to make the local arrangements, locate accommodation and find speakers but would need help with advertising and booking and practical things on the day. So – does this sound interesting? Please let me have your views. All of it is negotiable but if we decide to go ahead but have a different location then hopefully someone near that location will take on the main role of arranger.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I think it’s a wonderful idea Jo. Have you had much feedback from other artists?
July 20th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Hello Sue - just back from France, hence the delay in responding.
I have received two very positive replies via email. However this clearly isn’t a sufficient encouragement to take this further. I think I will leave the proposal on the forum until the end of August then will withdraw it if there isn’t a significant response in the meantime.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Jo, I think your idea of a small meeting just for those who want to be involved is a really great idea!
Please don’t give up on this!
I am sure other people will be interested, once the holiday season is over!
August 31st, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Hi Joe,
Your idea sounds great!!! just wish i lived in England,(i live in Belgium )otherwise i would certainly love to meet other christian artists and share ideas of how to reach out through using art.
May God bless you and may this wonderful idea become reality for those who seek to serve God through art!!
Sue.
September 1st, 2008 at 11:15 am
Hello Sue - and others who may still be thinking about meeting-up. I think that the meeting is now likely to happen - even if only a few attend. Why not take a short break from Belgium? You can get to Newport (South Wales) via train and could be collected from there.
This is what I sent to those expressing interest:
What do you think about the 15, 16, 17 May? Any other suggestions?
Is Monmouth ok as a venue for you all?
Would you like to meet from a Friday evening to Saturday afternoon or longer? Would it be practicable for folk to get here for a meal and first session on Friday evening?
What would you like the programme to include? My preferences are (i) a small exhibition (perhaps 2 or 3 works each) and opportunity for those attending to talk about their work - if we should have a lot of attendees the talks will have to be more informal chats with those interested in our work rather than formal presentations. (ii) An opportunity to discuss issues of theology and the arts with someone leading the discussion. (iii) A time of prayer/worship (iv) possibly a workshop if there is time (v) opportunity to share experiences and ideas of arts in mission and worship.
I think we can keep expenses to a minimum so it shouldn’t matter too much if there are six of us or twenty. We will have to pay for food but I should be able to arrange for people to cater for us. There are B&B places around and my wife Chris and I will be able to offer some accommodation.
Finally how do you feel about opening some of the sessions to interested local people?
Please don’t feel constrained by these questions. Feel free to put forward any ideas.
Best wishes,
Jo
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:51 am
The comment that Aidan made about that weekend is that it is at the end of the Christian Resources exhibition, so he is likely to be pretty tired by then! Would one of the weekends either side be a possibility?
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:58 am
I think it might be a good idea to send out a survey/questionnaire to all the Artisans to gauge availability, get ideas about people’s priorities with regards content, see whether the venue affects whether people will be able to attend etc.
What do you think?
I am happy to put one togther.
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:01 am
I am open to that. Let’s hope for a concensus on which weekend to go for. I am about to approach a possible venue - the availability may be a constraint on when we can arrange the meeting but I will ask about all of the weekends in May at this stage.
Jo
September 12th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Sorry Jo. I didn’t realise you had replied! I will put a survey together and let you see it before I send it out.
September 12th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Thanks Sue.
In fact I have been making progress with the idea since my last posting.
I have approached Monmouth Baptist Church and they would be very happy indeed to host us. The church has had a refit and has a good potential exhibition area and kitchens as well as the main church with new AV and comfortable seats.
Two members of the church (man and wife) have a national reputation as Christian speakers and writers and they have an interest in the arts. I am thinking of approaching them regarding introducing and leading discussion on arts and faith.
It seems like the best week end to go for would be 22- 24 May. I have drafted the following programme which I would welcome comments on:
Friday evening - welcoming meal
possibly setting up small exhibition of max 2 works per attendee
some of the artists talking about their work
Saturday - a time of worship (could be at the end of the day)
- artists talking about their work
- free time to visit Monmouth
- lunch
- theological perspective of arts in evangelism and worship (presentation and discussion)
- a couple of attendees present case studies then discussion follows
- tea
- pack up exhibition and depart
Sunday - possibly some people still around will worship at the host church at normal morning service.
September 15th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
This sounds good Jo. I guess a survey may be a bit late, as people can post their responses here!
I am not that bothered about free time to visit Monmouth (not wishing to imply that it isn’t a very nice place!) as my main reason for coming would be to meet up with other Artisans.
Are you thinking that the exhibition would be open to local Christians for a while on Saturday? That might be quite good too, if they were interested.
What sort of case studies are you thinking of?
Do we want some input from people who have successfully marketed their work, or branched out in finding and putting on exhibitions?
Sorry, I have added more questions than I have answered! What do other people think?
September 29th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I’ve just realised that you and I are the only ones in this conversation, Jo!
I’m enthusiastic about it anyway!