Utah Art Exhibit Stretches the Definition of ‘Spiritual’

THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
By Peggy Fletcher Stack


UTAH---You would, of course, expect to see lots of angels at a spiritual art exhibit — as well as Jesus, Madonnas, biblical figures, crosses, steeples, Hindu gods and Islamic prayer rugs. But birds, beggars, books, flying maps and beams of light? "You can find the sacred in nature and ordinary objects," says Rita Wright, curator at Springville Museum of Art’s annual "Spiritual & Religious Art of Utah Exhibition," where these works are on display. "We stretch the definition of ‘spiritual’ to include many images that are not conventional iconography." The show celebrates the experimental nature of younger artists, she says, who are trying to express their intuitive spirituality. [link]

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Bandits & Saints of Brazil in Detroit Through January 5th

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

Candomble Ceremony by Didito of Maracujipe, Bahia. Courtesy of Convida.org.

MICHIGAN---Detroit's Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History presents the exhibition "Bandits & Heroes, Poets & Saints" which tells the story of how African, European, and indigenous cultural traditions interacted in Brazil for 500 years. The exhibition includes nearly 200 works of art by more than 50 artists, but the most critical part of the exhibition is the "Expressions of Faith," segment. It explores the African-Brazilian religion of Candomblé which combines traditional African roots and Roman Catholicism, while also exploring the evangelical faith of the Northeast. In the exhibition, life-size mannequins of orixás (forged iron symbols of African deities) wearing colorful vestments of Candomblé can be viewed along with actual footage of the Candomblé ceremony in Bahia.

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History: "Bandits & Heroes, Poets & Saints," (Ends January 5, 2014); 315 East Warren Avenue at Brush Street; Detroit, MI; (313) 494-5808; thewright.org

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Saint John's Bible, Religious Art on Exhibit at Canton Museum of Art

THE CANTON REP

"Washing Feet" by He Qi in "Sacred Voices" accompanying exhibition

OHIO---On Friday, the Canton Museum of Art opened its newest exhibit, "Illuminating the Word: Saint John's Bible." It features an extraordinary presentation of a hand-crafted, 1,127 page illuminated Bible commissioned by Saint John's University in Minnesota. The Saint John's exhibit is accompanied by "Sacred Voices," a 30-piece collection of contemporary, religion-themed art created Christian, Jewish and Muslim artists from Great Britain, Austria, Australia, Canada and the United States. [link]

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Springville Museum of Art Annual Exhibit Emphasizes Religious Similarities

DAILY HERALD
By Casey Adams

First-place winner J. Kirk Richards' "Angels Singing in White." Courtesy of Springville Museum of Art

UTAH---A silent conversation is unfolding in the galleries at the Springville Museum of Art during the 28th annual Spiritual and Religious Art of Utah Exhibition, which runs through Jan. 15. Utah artists share ideas about faith and worship using art as a voice to express the beauty of the many spiritual differences represented within the Beehive State. The annual exhibition presents this conversation over three parts. First, an interfaith panel was to speak on how the panelists' personally adhere to their respective faiths. Second, the art show of nearly 200 pieces adds a visual dimension to the conversation. And finally, artists will be available on the last day of the exhibition to answer questions from museum patrons about their art work. Submissions were selected for the exhibition based on technical merit and an artist's willingness to explore the idea of spirituality in a unique way. Awards were given to top artists. [link]

Springville Museum of Art: "28th annual Spiritual and Religious Art of Utah Exhibition," (Ends Jan. 15); 126 E. 400 South in Springville, UT; (801) 489-2727; smofa.org

EVENTS CALENDAR:

Wednesday, November 20, 2013*
*Opening Reception, 7-8:30 pm
All submitting artists and the public are invited to attend. Accepted artists should come prepared to engage with public and answer questions regarding their work. Award-winning works will be announced at this event.

Monday, December 2, 2013, 6:00-8:00 pm
Community & Family Night - bring your family to the Museum for an evening of art-making and fun! Create original holiday cards, take a special tour through the exhibition, and enjoy seasonal music.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013, 7:00 pm
Interfaith Panel "Art & Worship"  - please join us for a discussion on the role of religious traditions in art from Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, LDS and Presbyterian perspectives.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014
"Reflections on Spirituality: Artists in Conversation," 7:00 pm*
*Artists may pick up artwork at conclusion of program
To conclude the exhibition, invited artists will participate in gallery conversations with the public. Facilitated by Museum Staff, these informal discussions will give artists and visitors the chance to explore religion and spirituality in art.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Exhibition Officially Closes

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We've Tried War, Politics, Money, Religion - Let Us Support Those Who Try Culture

FORBES MAGAZINE
By Melik Kaylan

IRAN---The ongoing thaw in relations with Iran has made me think of how much culture and the arts can make a pivotal difference. One might think that a New York Jewish gallerist in Manhattan would be the last person to provide a platform for Iranian artists. But what’s needed is exactly that kind of cultural overture, one that creates paths across the no-man’s-land of mutual suspicion, sets examples and dismantles barricades. Politics, religion, money – we’ve tried those channels. We’ve reaped division and distrust. Let us unleash cultural creativity for a change. Let us, above all, praise those who take the risk and make it happen. [link]

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Ohio Exhibition Invites Museum's Visitors to Ponder God

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

Sampling of the works by 30 artists from around the world on display in Canton, Ohio

OHIO---The Canton Museum of Art presents "Sacred Voices" an interfaith exhibition of contemporary works by over 30 artists from Australia, Austria, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Inspired by the Christian, Jewish, or Muslim faith, the imagery and artistry combine to offer fresh perspectives on religious texts, narratives and traditions of all people. "Throughout much of history, art and religion have been closely intertwined," said guest curator Michele Waalkes. "For some artists, the creative process itself becomes an act of faithfulness." The Canton Museum of Art (CMA) is one of Ohio's premier locations for an exceptional visual arts experience.

Canton Museum of Art: "Sacred Voices" (December 5, 2013 - March 2, 2014); 1001 Market Avenue North, Canton, OH; 330-453-7666; cantonart.org

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Religion And Science Mix In New Southwest School Of Art Exhibit

TEXAS PUBLIC RADIO
By Jack Morgan

TEXAS---Artist Chris Sauter wants you to question the notions of religion and science, and how they interact -- or don't interact. "If you’re a religious person you can’t really believe in science and if you’re a scientific person you can’t really believe in religion," he said. "I think that’s a fallacy." So Sauter creates art to get you to think about how they have a certain overlap. Soon, he will have four themed exhibitions in four separate locations. "The Southwest School exhibition is the first," he said. "It opens on November 21." [link]

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Zen and the Art of the BuJu

THE JEWISH DAILY FORWARD
By Jan Michelson

Now and Zen: This Buddhist temple, photographer in 1973 in Tatung, China, evokes a way of life that some see as surprisingly compatible with Judaism.

I admit, I am a BuJu. Of course, I am not alone. Not only do a disproportionate number of American Buddhist teachers come from Jewish backgrounds, but many Jews practice both Judaism and Buddhism, and many more practice a Jewish spirituality influenced by Buddhist-derived meditation practices and values. Sociologically, BuJus are yet another subgroup of the iSpirituality generation, those millions of Americans who draw upon multiple religious or spiritual traditions, mixing and matching not according to preference but according to pragmatism. While Judaism places great emphasis building a sense of Jewish identity, much Western Buddhist practice aims to deconstruct the notion of identity itself. [link]

Jay Michaelson is the author of “Evolving Dharma: Meditation, Buddhism, and the Next Generation of Enlightenment,” published by North Atlantic Books, from which this essay has been adapted.

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Alpha & Omega Prize Exhibition 2013, Explores "Religious Risks"

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

INDIANA---In addition, to a week of A&O Prize inductions and honors, the Alpha & Omega Project for Contemporary Religious Arts is pleased to present "Religious Risks," opening November 1, as part of the 18th annual Spirit & Place Festival. The full program includes more than thirty artist works (believers and skeptics too), representing the imaginations of a wide range of Indiana artists. The exhibition portion includes thirty emerging artists, as well as professionals such as Anila Agha, Tom Torluemke, Nhat Tran, and Constance Scopelitis. In addition, there is one youth scholarship honoree; and three poet honorees, Norbert Krapf, Tasha Jones, and Bonnie Mauer, who will present and join a group dialogue entitled, "Artist+Faith+Risk" on Saturday afternoon, November 9.

Alpha Omega Prize: "Religious Risks" (Nov. 1-29), at Indiana Interchurch Center's IIC Gallery, 1100 W. 42nd Street, Ground Floor; Indianapolis, IN; 317-919-0570; alphaomegaarts.org

VISUAL ARTISTS Anila Quayyum Agha Doug Arnholter Daniel Axler Sandi Ballard *Bailee Brantley Dan Cooper John Crowe LaShawnda Crowe Storm D. Del Reverda-Jennings Brian Diehl John Essex II Jonathon Frey Glory-June Greiff Linda Witte Henke Jonathon Kane Denis Ryan Kelly, Jr. Elizabeth Kenney Deborah Kolp Brigid Manning-Hamilton Tony Melendez Quincy Owens Ryan Petrow Tim Ryan Gary Schmitt Constance Edwards Scopelitis Bonnie Stahlecker Susan Lynn Tennant Tom Torluemke Nhat Tran Julia Wickes Terry Wilson LITERARY ARTISTS Norbert Krapf Bonnie Maurer Tasha Jones

PRIZE SUPPORTERS Sarah Adams  Sandi Ballard Jennifer Barnes Virginia Bievenour  Verneida Britton Karen Chinetti Todd Cox  Dolly Craft Spencer Crew Susan Disney Gregory Disney-Britton Ernest Disney-Britton Garry Fredericksen Carol Givens Ted Givens Katie Graham Todd & Teresa Hedback Melvin Jolliff Leslie Kreines Pastor Jeff Miner Michele Moriarty Jason Pack Ryan Petrow Tahlib Deborah Thornburgh Anthony Team Realty, LLC Julie Reed Betsy Sato Larry Sears Krista Skidmore  Jean Slaughter David Squire James Strain    Cheryl Strain David Sweet Desmond Wade Vivian Wyatt (*Student Winner)

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Saint Louis Art Museum Urges Visitors to Take a Religious Leap for it's 20th Anniversary

SAINT LOUIS BEACON
By Nancy Fowler

"Paranirvana" (1999-2012) by Lewis deSoto, installed at MOCRA in 2013.

MISSOURI---An invitation to cross thresholds into unfamiliar territory is the theme as Saint Louis University’s Museum of Contemporary Religious Art (MOCRA) marks two decades of existence. “Thresholds: MOCRA at 20” is a two-part exhibit reprising segments of previous shows dating back to the museum’s 1993 debut. Part One, open through Dec. 15, revisits MOCRA’s first 10 years. Works examining all religions and spiritual quests have always had a place at MOCRA. Founding director Terry Dempsey wants to continue and expand that diversity. “We’re trying to build a bridge among various faith traditions,” Dempsey said. [link]

Museum Of Contemporary Religious Art: "Thresholds: MOCRA at 20" (Part One ends Dec. 15); Saint Louis University, Saint Loius, MO; 221 N. Grand Blvd; (314) 977-7170; slu.edu/mocra

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Jesus in Jewish Art: The Missing Pieces

THE HUFFINGTON POST
By Bernard Starr

Medieval and Renaissance artworks commonly Christianized Jesus, his family and close followers while omitting their Jewish identities. This phenomenon contributed significantly to the historic rift between Christianity and Judaism by picturing Jesus and Jews as separate in religion and ethnicity. The explosion of interest in the paintings of Jewish artist Marc Chagall, with several major exhibits this year alone, has brought public attention to his surprising trove of paintings of Jesus as Jew and Christian, bonded by the theme of suffering. Chagall was not alone among 19- and 20th-century Jewish artists to create artworks of Jesus, and sometimes of a Jewish Jesus. Art scholar Ziva Amishai-Maisels explains that artists sought to address anti-Semitism. [link]

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Illuminating Voices in Ohio for the Holidays at Canton Museum of Art

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

OHIO---This coming December, the place to be to celebrate Religious Art is Canton, Ohio. The Canton Museum of Art will present two inspirational exhibitions, "Sacred Voices: Works by Interfaith Contemporary Artists," and the illuminated works of the "St. John's Bible." There will be a members only opening reception for both the Sacred Voices exhibit and the St. John's Bible exhibit on Thursday, December 5. Many of the artists participating, are from NYC such as Yona Verwer and Makoto Fugimura, but the religious artist roster covers the nation. Many of the artists will also have merchandise in the shop on consignment.

Canton Museum of Art: "Sacred Voices"; and "Illuminating the Word: The Saint John's Bible" (Dec. 5, 2013 - March 2, 2014); 1001 Market Ave. North, Canton, OH. (330)453-7666; cantonart.org
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Our source listed the following artists as some who were invited to participate in the Sacred Voices: 

Sarah Ansari Eileen Levinson Sharon Charmley Bruce Herman Tom Wachunas Adil Akhtar Salma Peter Gould Ameena Khan Chryssa Tobi Hayat Gul Sayyidah Ahmad Susan Hooks Reem Hammad Richard Mcbee

Elke Sudin  Salwa Najm Anne Shams Uzma Mirza Susan Savage Chris Wurst Tony O'Connell Richard Melheim Yona Verwer Efraim Moskovics  Makoto Fujimura Mati Rosenstein Deborah Raichman

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Artist Trevor Nickolls Wins Australia's Blake Prize for Religious Art with "Metamorphosis"

THE HERALD SUN
By Louise Nun

Late South Australian artist Trevor Nickolls in 2012 with his painting "Metamorphosis", which has won the 2013 Blake Prize for religious art. Source: News Limited

AUSTRALIA---A NEW indigenous art prize established in the memory of late South Australian artist Trevor Nickolls has been given a $25,000 boost after the painter was awarded the Blake Prize, the first ever to be awarded posthumously. Nickolls, who died last year aged 63, won top honours in the national prize for religious art for his painting Metamorphosis, which depicts an Aboriginal man transformed into a butterfly, surrounded by peace doves. Metamorphosis, which melds the Western and Indigenous iconography Nickolls was known for, was commissioned for the 2012 Adelaide Festival exhibition Deadly: In-Between Heaven and Hell, held at Tandanya. [link]

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Blake Prize: Emerging Religious Artists Take on Established for Fiercely Fought Accolade

THE GUARDIAN
By Andrew Frost

Contender: The Edge, 2013, by Tamara Dean. Photograph: Olsen Irwin Gallery

AUSTRALIA---The shortlist for the 62nd Blake prize has been announced, naming 73 established and emerging artists. The prize explores religious and spiritual themes in art and, although that might suggest traditional religious subjects and treatments, the attraction of the Blake for many artists – and often the source of the prize’s occasional conflicts with conservative – is that it also encourages and celebrates secular ideas of religiosity, as well as broader questions of the role of ethics and morality in contemporary society. [link]

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"Sacred" Describes a "Remarkable" New Show at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts

INLINE

MINNEAPOLIS---There’s a remarkable new show at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts that deploys works from the museum’s collection, plus a few borrowed items, in a way that may surprise museumgoers. Sacred juxtaposes deeply traditional items of religious art—a holy water stoup, priests’ robes, icons, Qur’an pages—with edgy contemporary works, like a grey felt suit created by conceptual-art icon Joseph Beuys, a stunning faux-suit of armor by Korean artist Do-Ho Suh, and images by that ambivalent Catholic, Andy Warhol. “Sacred” is the second in a series of innovative installations featuring imaginative combinations of contemporary and historic artworks throughout the museum’s Target Wing.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts: "Sacred" (Ends July 13, 2014); 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN; (888) MIA ARTS (642-2787) (Toll Free); artsmia.org

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"Women Call for Peace: Global Vistas" Opens at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

ARTDAILY

Marcia Annenberg's "Little Red" memorializes Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow,
stoned to death at age 13 by the Shabab for the crime of rape.

NEW YORK---While women are rarely the perpetrators of war, they nonetheless suffer its devastating effects—the loss of their sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, husbands and homes. The fifty-three works in the exhibition—paintings, sculptures and prints—offer stunningly beautiful but powerful statements of the artists’ commitment to peace on all fronts—personal, political, domestic, and international. Artists in the exhibition are Emma Amos, Marcia Annenberg, Siona Benjamin, Chakaia Booker, Nanette Carter, Judy Chicago, Linda Freeman, Susanne Kessler, Leila Kubba, Grace Matthews, Renee Magnanti, Irene Hardwicke Olivieri, Faith Ringgold, Aminah Robinson, Flo Oy Wong, and Helen Zughaib. The Anya and Andrew Shiva Gallery: "Women's Call for Peace" at John Jay College of Criminal Justice; 524 West 59th. Street New York, NY; (212)237.8000; johnjay.jjay.cuny.edu [link]

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Artist Essay: "All of Us are Us," by Andrew Kosorok

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

"18 – Opener (Al-Fattah)" by Andrew Kosorok

The title of the essay is "All of Us are Us," and the "5,000" essay is worth returning to, time and time again. It begins with: "As a Christian - as an American Christian - I realized I was terrified of Muslims," said Utah glass sculptor Andrew Kosorok, but then he decided to do something about that fear. He spent his time meeting muslims, reading, and creating art that reflected that journey. Most recently, Kosorok shared that journey during remarks at the annual interfaith Iftar (dinner) of the Pacifica Institute Utah Branch (link). "It is a Turkish-American group the sole purpose of which is to find excuses to do nice things for their neighbors" (and he added lovingly: "there's a little more to it than that, but that's pretty much what they do in a nutshell"). Find out more about Kosorok's glass art and his interfaith journey from terror to friendship at his blog: http://ghostriverstudios.wordpress.com.

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Religion at Burning Man: Exploring the Holiness That Unites Us

LOS ALTOS TOWN CRIER
By Rev. Malcolm C. Young

The massive structure at the heart of everything was the Burning Man, standing on a spaceship, inviting participants to imagine an encounter with a vastly different culture and how it might change our self-understanding.

NEVADA---Burning Man, the weeklong festival in the northern Nevada desert, is one of the largest religious rituals in the western world. We danced, created and destroyed things together. We talked, cried, yelled and sat in silence. We came to the holy desert from wildly different places, but even in our ecstasy and despair, mostly we were one – like the future city that John of Patmos calls the New Jerusalem. I talked about God with Vedic priestesses, Unitarians, yogis, Quakers, entheogen voyagers, Episcopalians, Hindus, Roman Catholics, shamans, atheists and Zen teachers. I met people there who hate Christianity, people who, often for good reasons, associate it with bigotry and condemnation. This year’s theme, “Cargo Cult,” refers to religions established in the Pacific theater during World War II, when islanders first experienced the tremendous wealth and material power of American soldiers. [link]

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London Exhibition Explores Art, Belief and Identity

CHRISTIANITY TODAY
By Amy MacMillan

UNITED KINGDOM---This October, the Three Faiths Forum is presenting its annual Urban Dialogues Exhibition, showcasing the work of 25 artists inspired by themes of belief and identity. The Urban Dialogues Exhibition brings together artists from a variety of cultural and artistic backgrounds with the aim of challenging people's understanding of who they are and what they believe. Holly Jones, Urban Dialogues Manager at 3FF, said that the exhibition was "a way of bringing people together through the arts". The exhibition is taking place at the Red Gallery, in Shoreditch, London, from October 2 to 14. [link]

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A&O Prize Exhibition Artist Participants

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

INDIANA---Who are the midwest artists taking the risk to explore religious ideas today, and sparking conversations about faith as a result? The following is a listing of such artists (believers and skeptics too) participating in the 2013 Spirit & Place Festival this November. The exhibition and program is produced by Alpha & Omega Project for Contemporary Religious Arts in partnership with the Center for Interfaith Cooperation and Indiana Interchurch Center.

Alpha Omega Prize: "Alpha & Omega: Religious Risks" (Nov. 1-29), at Indiana Interchurch Center's IIC Gallery, 1100 W. 42nd Street, Ground Floor; Indianapolis, IN; 317-919-0570; alphaomegaarts.org

VISUAL ARTISTS Anila Quayyum Agha Doug Arnholter Sandie Ballard Dan Cooper John Crowe LaShawnda Crowe D. Del Reverda-Jennings Brian Diehl Jonathon Frey Glory-June Grieff Linda Witte Henke Jimi Jones Jonathon Kane Denis Ryan Kelly, Jr. Elizabeth Kenney Deborah Kolp Brigid Manning-Hamilton Tony Melendez Quincy Owens Ryan Petrow Tom Phelps Tim Ryan Gary Schmitt Constance Edwards Scopelitis Bonnie Stahlecker Susan Lynn Tennant Tom Torluemke Nhat Tran Julia Wickes

LITERARY ARTISTS Norbert Krapf Bonnie Maurer Tasha Jones

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