ECVA Newsletter


	So . . . just what is a Christian artist? The term “Christian artist” is one that has been applied most frequently to recording artists, but it can also be applied to visual artists. So if an artist creates works of art with a biblical theme, does this make him or her a Christian artist? I doubt that the great Renaissance artists in creating the paintings and sculptures for the churches and cathedrals of Europe thought of themselves as a “Christian artist”. The term most likely comes from a modern day desire to categorize art. So, what is a Christian artist? There is more to being an artist than just having the technical skills to create art. We all know that an artist sees the world around us in a slightly different way. Leonardo da Vinci described this as “knowing how” to see. An artist must perceive the world in a different way, see the things that others might miss, and understand how to transfer that sight to others. This is the challenge of the Christian artist to create work that not only interprets that which we see around us, but also our relationship to God and his work. It is one thing to create art that represents a passage of scripture, but the artist must also attempt to create a representation that will help others to understand. A task not unlike the challenge that all believers face. Perhaps recording artist, Jeff Johnson, best describes it when he says, “For the Christian artist, one's work is born out of one's faith and experience. I am not an artist because I say I'm one. I am an artist because I live like one!” Dan Hardison Editor, ECVA eNewsletter editor@ecva.org		Nativity By Vanessa Ruig, age 11 Quito, Ecuador This image is from H.O.P.E. (Hear Our Prayer Everywhere) Prayer Book and was included in the ECVA Exhibition Surprised By Joy.


	Current Exhibition Walking the Way of the Cross Lent 2004 A sculptural interpretation of the Stations of the Cross that was created by The Rev. Thomas Faulkner for the 2003 General Convention of the Episcopal Church. The exhibition is currently installed at St. Mark's Cathedral in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and will later travel to locations throughout the country. More . . .		Station V By The Rev. Thomas Faulkner


	Featured Congregation St. Bede’s Episcopal Church Atlanta, Georgia Above the altar at St. Bede’s Episcopal Church is a modern cruciform sculpture created by artist Ann Cowperthwaite. Incorporated into the sculpture are the words of the church’s namesake, Bede the Venerable, that "Christ is the Morning Star . . ." More . . .


	Visual Essay The Hours By Tony Morinelli Based on the Daily Office or Divine Office, Tony Morinelli has created an ongoing series of paintings that "deals with the meditation on salvific light at different times of day and night." More . . .


	Multimedia The Passion of Jesus Christ By Deborah Patterson and Robert Sirota This multimedia presentation of sound and images is a collaboration between Deborah Patterson and Robert Sirota. Described as "A Visual Oratorio", it is a series of paintings of Christ by Ms. Patterson interpreted through music composed by Dr. Sirota. More . . .


	Articles Choosing Between A Transmission and a Crucifix By Joel Haas Sculptor Joel Haas tells us of his work one day on a coat rack that transformed itself into a crucifix and of his ponderings on what makes good or even interesting art. More . . .

	About ECVA
	The Episcopal Church and Visual Arts strives to: Encourage visual artists in our church to use their creative gifts for the glory of God. Encourage individuals to explore the opportunities visual arts offer in their spiritual journeys. Encourage parishes and cathedrals to incorporate visual arts in their total programs. Encourage conversations and research in issues related to the visual arts, theology and culture.		If you know someone who might enjoy our newsletter, please forward this issue to them so they can learn what is happening at ECVA. To subscribe, visit www.ecva.org and enter your email address.