Refraction

Refraction © 2011 Genesis+Art Studio

FROM OUR JOURNAL PAGES:

chuck + peg: The meaning of refraction is “the fact or phenomenon of light, radio waves, etc., being deflected in passing obliquely through the interface between one medium and another or through a medium of varying density.” I find not only the meaning as it relates to physics interesting but also when I think of the meaning in terms of the spiritual. We were first created by God’s divine intention which created our soul. The deflection or changing of direction occurs when our interior life is touched by the light of the Holy Spirit and when we turn into that light we have the ability to transform what seems to be hopeless situations.

Works of art are the fruit of human creativity

The progression of our group painting and dialogue. Photos courtesy of Sandie Anderson

FROM OUR TRAVELS:


Reflections from the Art as an Act of Reconciliation workshop

by Sandie Anderson, Bethlehem Lutheran Church 

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA. We met Chuck and Peg at church Friday afternoon and got set up. We decided that since we had a managable group we would have their Keynote presentation and then give everyone a chance to paint on the World Canvas Project. Their presentation went great. I have a new understanding and appreciation about what they do in Northern Ireland and elsewhere and see how this could be really meaningful in the Holy Land. Then it was time to paint. We were to write a prayer on our square and then paint. We could do more than one square. I thought “Fat chance. Lucky if I get one done!” I looked at that square for a long time trying to figure out what sort of prayer I wanted to send out to the world, or at least to the people of Northern Ireland where this was eventually headed. World peace? Hope that their hearts would heal and be full of God’s love? Hope that mine would? Health and peace in our collective souls? Healing for my friends with cancer? I tentatively painted one square. It looked ok. So I painted two more. Driving home I felt relieved and optimistic. Those prayers were already winging their way throughout the world even though I knew the canvas was still drying in the basement at church.

Saturday morning – This was better as I knew Chuck and Peg and the rest of the participants and scarier because we were starting with a big blank sheet. It looked so pristine just lying there. We opened with devotions and a prayer. Then we had some discussion about shapes and color that helped ease the tension. Then we went to the paper to paint. There were 17 of us. Paint quietly until the bell rings. Pass your paint two to the left and move one to the right. Paint again. I was standing next to my friend Darold who is a really good artist. The bell rang and I could hardly pick up the brush. Darold was busy being artistic. I made some symbols on the paper – yikes! The bell rang and we screwed up the directions and finally moved one step to the right. Now I was painting on Darold’s images. There is no way this is going to work and it will be awful. I hate this color. The bell rang…. and rang….. and rang. Soon there was hardly anyplace to paint so we had to paint on top of other colors. Someone across the table was spattering paint. It was getting worse. Every section I painted on had too much going on and was not connected to anything. The bell rang, and it was finally over. Whew. It didn’t look as bad as I thought when it was drying on the table. I was happy I was done and hadn’t made any terrible errors.

Sunday morning – Our painting was hanging in the gallery. It looks terrific. There are themes and wonderful colors. I love it and I helped make it. WOW! World canvas with the 5th and 6th graders – It was very well received. I went there between services and had some kids and one grandfather ask me if they could paint so we set them up. They definitely had more courage than me!

Monday – Looking at it before yoga and a woman asked me if it was for sale.  Go figure! Some of the images we painted and the prayers I wrote come into my mind often – proof that they are at work. Would I do it again? YES. Do I want to go to the Holy Land with these people and watch what happens there? Absolutely. Is this project done working on me? I don’t think so, stay tuned.

Welcomed into the Skainos community

Construction of the Skainos Project will be completed in the Spring of 2012

FROM OUR TRAVELS:


Prayers for Skainos and the East Belfast Mission
by Sara Cook 
Director of Family and Community, East Belfast Mission

EAST BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND. Inner East Belfast is a place defined, in many ways, by the legacy of its past.  It is the home of the shipyards that built the Titanic and was the birthplace of more than its share of famous people such as musician, Van Morrison, and Christian apologist, C.S. Lewis.  Sadly, it is also a place deeply scarred by Northern Ireland’s Troubles and by the economic blight that followed in the wake of the conflict. Its proud past sits alongside its current ranking as one of the most socially deprived areas in Northern Ireland.

East Belfast Mission (EBM) is a Methodist church and social service organization right at the heart of Inner East Belfast with a mission to transform and renew the local community.  When we think about how to move beyond East Belfast’s past and build toward a new future, among the tools that come to mind in achieving potential change are the creative arts.  And, while scores of famous musicians and writers come from East Belfast, the local community that is most impacted by economic blight have very little access to or interaction with the creative and performing arts.

It is into this environment that Chuck and Peg brought their World Canvas and other creative projects during their recent trip to Northern Ireland.  During the course of two weeks, Peg and Chuck brought the World canvas to members of the congregation at EBM, local members of the community who regularly participate in EBM’s community-based work, local children and young people, and the staff of EBM.  In each case, people were encouraged to express their prayers and hopes, not only for the world, but also for the future of their own community.

Because many people from the local community in East Belfast have not had the opportunity to be exposed to art-making or creative processes, we weren’t exactly sure how people would respond to the workshops.  However, not only were people delighted with the World Canvas sessions, they embraced a conversation about how to bring more creative work into the local community.

Based on the warm reception to the World Canvas, EBM hopes to continue to work with Chuck and Peg and the local community to create a special local canvas that will allow the wider community to share their hopes, wishes, and prayers for the future of East Belfast. Big thanks to Peg and Chuck for their awakening of the artistic spirit in East Belfast this summer! 


To find out more go to: Skainos Project