RELIGIOUS ART | NEWS OF WEEK

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS 
By TAHLIB

During a week when legislatures in Hawaii and Illinois, took the risk to legalize gay marriage, a painting of a gay couple walking hand-in-hand into church was named as the 2013 winner of the A&O Prize - Student Art Contest. That's why "Risk" (above) by Bailee Brantley, an 11th grade student at Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis is my NEWS OF WEEK. The celebratory week of A&O Prizes; dazzling exhibit, "Religious Risks" of works by thirty professional artists (plus one student winner); concluded with readings by three poet honorees, and an inspiring group dialogue. The entire occasion also inspired $2,500 in donations for artist honorariums. The momentum for risk-taking is strong this month, so what religious risk will you take before the exhibit ends on November 29th?

In other religious art news from across the USA, and around the world:

• Buddhist Art of Week: Korean Buddhist temple hosts contemporary art show. [More News]
• Christian Art of Week: Dan Cooper is named INSPIRE ME! Artist of Month. [More News]
• Hindu Art of Week: Raqib Shaw's Paradise Lost opened at Pace Gallery. [More News]
• Islamic Art of Week: Muralist, Mohammed Ali traces graffiti's Islamic roots. ['sMore News]
• Judaic Art of Week: Rabbi, Yitzchok Moully named A&O Clergy of Year. [More News]

It's more than Art. It's Religion. We are believers (and skeptics too), united in the search for human meaning through art from the religious imagination. We believe in the artists and craftsman who dare to explore religious themes through their creativity. When you believe, you join other believers. Some of us join as voting members of the A&O Project; others support the A&O Prize - Student Art Contest as donors; and most subscribe to this "free" weekly newsletter (or follow on: Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook or Soundcloud). All are welcome.