New Around the Mission

Artists Grow and Reflect at Southeast Conference on Faith and Art

August 29, 2011

On Saturday, August 13, Trinity Anglican Mission in Atlanta summoned artists from in and around the city to explore where their faith intersects their practices as artists. The first-ever Southeast Conference on Faith and Art drew a diverse group of 56 people—mostly artists ranging from painters to performers, but also pastors, counselors and teachers seeking to better serve the needs of artists within their congregations and communities.

“The close-knit environment was ideal for connecting with one another,” says Jeff Guy, an accomplished artist who heads up Trinity’s communications department and helmed the event. “The extroverts didn't have to jockey for face time with leaders and artists they longed to meet, and the introverts couldn't hide out in the corner or feel they had to wait to be heard.”

While connecting with one another, artists participated in times of teaching, reflection, inspiration and worship. Speaker David Taylor, author and curator of the book, For the Beauty of the Church, delivered a lecture on “The Identity of the Artist,” encouraging artists to hone in on their ambitions and calling, and another on “The Vocation of the Artist,” emphasizing the need to pursue artistic ambitions within a close community of friends and grow in the classics outside your tradition or medium.

After the lectures, attendees formed small groups for discussion and prayer, enjoyed a catered meal from a local noodle house, then assembled in the sanctuary for a 45-minute poetry reading by Anya Silver.

“It was beautiful to get to slow our pace and focus on the poetry read aloud by the author's own voice,” Jeff says.

Later that evening, soulful singer-songwriter Micah Dalton performed a short concert, and Trinity’s worship team led the group in a few worship songs and prayer. Finally, attendees shared communion, nourishing their minds, bodies and spirits on Christ before going back into the world.

Many artists, including Erin Langley, walked away refreshed.

“It’s great to see a church catering to artists in an authentic and meaningful way,” she says. “I’m glad there's a whole world of like-minded artists who are Christians and creating beautiful work—very encouraging.”

Learn more at ArtandFaith.org.

Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: The Arts