March, 2005

	The Prayers of the People By Beverly Hettig (artist book - mixed media) From the ECVA exhibition Illuminating the Word

The Illustrated Word

It was Alice, author Lewis Carroll's character from Alice in Wonderland, that said "And what is the use of a book without pictures or conversation?"

As small children, before we are able to read, we are given picture books – books that can convey a story through a series of images. When we are read illustrated books as a child, it is the illustrations that give the story meaning and helps the child to understand the story. Literally, illustration is a visual representation that is used to make some subject more pleasing or easier to understand. Indeed the images used to illustrate a story are often remembered well beyond the story itself.

But a work of art is not meant to tell a story so much as to express a thought, a feeling, or emotion. It was artist B.J.O Nordfeldt that said, “Pictures are like poems. A good poem doesn't tell a story – it contains beauty of rhythm.” Is it no wonder that poetry and art go together so well?

If art is meant to move us, to motivate us, to inspire us – then its use to compliment the written word will be powerful indeed. Explains Elliot W. Eisner, professor of education and art at Stanford University, “There are many experiences and a multitude of occasions in which we need art forms to say what literal language cannot say.”

Dan Hardison
Editor, The Episcopal Church and Visual Arts
editor@ecva.org

Articles

Lenten Journey
By Ruth Susen Riley

Christ Church, South Hamilton, Massachusetts, held an invitational exhibit of art during Lent 2003 and invited parishioners to contribute poetry. "As the images were compiled digitally and matched with poems – so that words and images complimented each other – a book emerged." Artist Ruth Susen Riley tells us about the exhibit and the book Lenten Journey: A Visual and Poetic Observance of the Passion.
More . . .

Multimedia

The Way of the Cross

Artist Dorothy Gager created bronze bas-relief sculptures representing the fourteen Stations of the Cross that were installed at St James Episcopal Cathedral in Fresno, California. Dan Hardison has created a video that takes us through the Stations of the Cross with a close-up view of the sculpture. It also features the comments and prayers by Bishop John-David Schofield recorded during the dedication in 2003.
More . . .

Promise of the Garden
By George W. Jones

George W. Jones writes of the garden during Lent and how it, like Easter, holds the promise of resurrection.
When Easter comes to the Garden / a thousand entombed plants / will be bursting forward / and upward / into resurrection
Dan Hardison provides a photograph to accompany Promise of the Garden.
More . . .

From the ECVA Registry:


Encircling Spirit
By Ruth Burink
Monument, Colorado
(marble)

The Worship Well

Church Publishing Incorporated has partnered with ECVA, the Office of Liturgy and Music, and the All Saints Company to provide an online community for conversation, collaboration, education, and the sharing of liturgies, images, music, art, multimedia, scripture tools, and more. The goals for ECVA are to increase visibility of ECVA and ECVA artists through The Worship Well; support increased use of art and image in worship and liturgy; and create support for ECVA artists in the areas of how to use art in church situations and how to ask for remuneration for the use of their art in church situations.
www.theworshipwell.org.

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