To Send a Prayer sermon series - Sept. 13 - Oct 25 - Sundays at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Please join us as we explore common questions about prayer through music, live painting, a creative atmosphere and a relevant message – all in The Stirring’s unique style.
I'll be the guest artist for the month of Sept. We've put a lot of hard work and thought into this series and art exhibit. Please attend and bring a friend. Thanks.
Isn't this weather just amazing? Last night Erin and I had a picnic dinner in the backyard and slept with the windows open. It makes me sad to have to go spend the day locked up in the office. Who's up for meet and greet tonight? I'm thinking we go to Cafe Eclectic in Midtown and enjoy their patio. They have excellent coffee, a delicious BLT&A (that's a BLT with Avocado. I dont know where they buy this bacon but its the best ever. i wonder if they can make me a BBLT&A... mmm bacon), and a long list of Sundaes and shakes.
Bring your sketchbook for doodling, and/or a book that your currently reading or just finished. I'll be bringing some from my collection like ones by Donald Miller, Anne Lamott, and Rob Bell to lend out. (And if you need to return one - hint, hint - you could do that too.)
We'll also discuss the up-coming sermon series and art show at the Stirring.
Cafe Eclectic 603 N McLean Blvd (just north of McLean and North Parkway) Memphis, TN 38107
Project Sketchbook is a mail-art project created by the Rozelle Artists Guild and sponsored by Memphis College of Art. Over this past summer, they have distributed over 100 4x5inch, 12 page, handmade sketchbooks to artists & writers in Memphis and abroad. The finished sketchbooks will be on display at an exhibition on Friday, August 28th, 2009 at 511 S. Main from 6-9PM. The best pages will be compiled into a book. If you're interested in having a sketchbook mailed to you, contact RAG at rozellehouse@gmail.com. The deadline for finished sketchbooks is August 14th, 2009. You can check out more info. about Rozelle Artists Guild & Project Sketchbook at rozelleartistsguild.org.
Here is my sketchbook. It's sort of a "Fight Club" themed book. It's expressions of frustration. It's not that i hate my job, its fine. but i do occasionally dislike being a grown-up with all the responsibilities, trappings, and stuff.
Please join me this Thursday, August 27th at Circa on Main Street for their 2nd Anniversary Celebration and Benefit! There will be a wine reception, art auction and live music. You can also enjoy an amazing three course meal for $90.00 - seats are limited so hurry and call now! (901.522.1488)
I will have 5 pieces on display for the auction. The reception is free and donations are much appreciated. The money we raise will go towards a mission my friend Chris Reed is leading to build a school for an orphanage in Kibera, Africa.
I'm excited to report that one of the prayer journals is about to go cross country! Journal # 2 is about to go coast to coast from Peletier, NC to Memphis, TN to Portland, OR. That's a 3,240 mile trip by car.
There is still plenty of time and many pages to fill. I could also use some west coast participation. some more info about the project. Currently, the plan is when the journals (there are 3 in circulation) are "full" or as they become full, I would retain ownership. More like stewardship. I am planning to exhibit the journals at my church at the end of Sept as a part of a sermon series and art exhibit about prayer. Then they will go back into circulation. I will likely display them from time to time in our gallery.
When a journal is full, I plan to make a DVD slide show of all the pages and send a copy to each artist who participates. Also, I'd consider requests to lend out the full journals to other artists or church leaders to share with their community. That will probably will depend on the condition of the journals in the end. I dont want them to get so torn up that they threaten to fall apart in your hands. Who knows what God may have in mind for it. I haven't seriously thought if through because first of all it will take a long time to fill one and secondly it was just something i started with a few friends for the fun, inspiration, and community of it.
Maybe these journals full of faith and creativity will inspire other artists in their spiritual journey. See the progress and journey here: http://2sendaprayer.blogspot.com/ To participate, you will need to email me at richard.fudge@gmail.com with your name, your phone number and mailing address.
A fellow artist asked me the other day why I felt strongly about including art in the worship experience. I thought it was a good question.
Just performance? I would say that adding live art to the service is not necessarily changing the act of creating to a performance. Sure, there are some practiced folks that can create a painting quickly during a service and with an element of performance, but most of the artists at my church work on one piece over the course of a month. So it can be a slower process like that in the studio. This incorporation of art making, my church has been able to grow a gallery, artist small group, and a creative leadership team. Having the artist on stage during the worship exhibits our commitment to visual art and draws artists out of their seats. It also promotes understanding and appreciation of art by the church members. This leads to other opportunities for the visual art in the church.
What about excellence of craft? As to excellence in craft, just because it created on stage doesnt decrease the excellence of the work. I've seen plenty of artist who create with as much or more skill when on stage. Also, adding art to the worship gives rise to purpose and community for the artist and a drive to become a better artist. I have met many artists who began painting again or increased their output because the church encouraged their work through live painting and a gallery space. I have seen not only my own skills grow and develop, but many other artists in our community as well. Although we started with mostly casual artists (folks who like to paint but it weren't in galleries), over time we have connected with more professional artists. Also, I've seen casual artists grow and develop their abilities through community and purpose for their work. Name an art gallery in your area that focuses on Christian themes and messages. I bet you cant name one that is not part of a church. I know there is not one in Memphis. In this way we are influencing the culture of the city.
Spiritual Growth Now painting on stage may seem a strange idea for an artist, but the experience is so enriching to your spiritual walk and worship experience. I've had many artists who shied away at first but after visiting our service and seeing another artist painting, most feel drawn like a moth to a light. No artist has ever told me, "thanks for the opportunity but that was just too uncomfortable." Once they have done it, most artists are eager to paint during the worship again and again. People in the church love it too. They often purchase the work and encourage the artist. People who purchase a painting can use the painting as a conversation piece in their home to talk with others about their faith.
Sparking Creativity Without the live art element in the service, I believe our arts ministry would not be as strong or as fruitful. We have artists who have found other ways to use art in the church. One artist stated using art in the children's sunday school to help kids express their feelings and faith. Another artist created a series of work after a mission trip. The work promoted awareness and raised money for a building project. We have artists who are planning a mural project in the section of town that the church does its urban ministry. We have artists in our leadership team who help brainstorm creative sermon series and events. But these things were all possible through the door of inclusion or art in the worship.
