2013 A&O Prize for Museum Exhibition is “Chagall: Love, War and Exile”

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

NEW YORK---The board, and the members of Alpha & Omega Project for Contemporary Religious Arts are pleased to announce the 2013 inductee for museum exhibition of the year: "Chagall: Love, War and Exile". This exhibit of Marc Chagall’s paintings at New York’s Jewish Museum includes many images of the Jewish Jesus, a subject of great interest in recent years by museum curators as exemplified by the blockbuster impact of "Rembrandt's Jesus" of 2012. "It's a  relatively new exhibit, that has already helped with the rebuilding of the Jewish-Christian relationship" explains Gregory Disney-Britton, chairman of Alpha Omega Arts. "It increases our capacity to talk about our similarities in ways both groups have chosen to forgot." The Jewish Museum of New York's “Chagall: Love, War, and Exile,” ends in February 2, 2014.

Since 2008, Alpha Omega Arts has been surveying members about the influence of Religious Art in the United States, and awarding the ALPHA OMEGA PRIZE.

"Persecution" (1941) by Marc Chagall

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Artist, Tony Melendez Takes Risk with the Annunciation in Indianapolis

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

"Annunciation---Me?" by Tony Melendez, 

INDIANA---Spanish Harlem-native, Arsenio "Tony" Melendez denies being Roman Catholic, but he shares a Catholic fascination with the Virgin Mary. His "Annunciation---Me?" spotlights that moment when the angel Gabriel calls upon her to take a risk of the virgin birth, and her response is "Who---me?" Tony's view of that moment is the first work visitors will see in this November's "Alpha & Omega: Religious Risks" exhibition. "Tony's paintings are a favorite of people working inside the center" according to Mel Jolliff, Executive Director of Indiana Interchurch Center. "The first collector was the Episcopal Bishop," he says. "What at first looks very traditional, is instead filled with very contemporary ideas." Melendez will join the other artists in a dialogue about Art+Faith+Risk on Saturday, November 9 as part of the Spirit & Place Festival.

You can thank Tony, and the other artists for taking a risk with religious imagination, by making a gift to the Alpha Omega Prize: Artist Fund via power2give.org. 

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This Diwali, Light Up a Life

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB


INDIA---Produced with support of THE HINDU, a national newspaper of India, "Light Up a Life" is a celebration of the Hindu holydays "Diwali" (Nov. 1-5, 2013), but it's also an inspiring public service campaign. "Very touching, beautifully done social responsibility film about corneal blindness," said Anindo Ghosh. "Will bring tears to the eyes of even the most jaded viewers and inspire them to pledge their eyes." The concept and story for one such campaign was to generate support to fight corneal blindness in India, and was directed by Oindrila Ghosh, Founder, Lateral Images.

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2013 A&O Prize for Artwork of Year: "Golden Sea” by Makoto Fujimura

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

Makoto Fujimura, “Golden Sea,” 2011.
Mineral Pigments and Gold on Kumohada, 80 × 64”. 

NEW YORK---The chair, Gregory Disney-Britton, the board, and the members of Alpha & Omega Project for Contemporary Religious Arts are pleased to announce the 2013 inductee for artwork of the year: "Golden Sea". Created by Makoto Fujimura, the selection honors the work of contemporary religious art that had the greatest influence in bridging the art vs. religion divide in the United States during the past year. "Throughout human history, religions and art have been joined as part of the wider quest for meaning. "Golden Sea" shows why we need both," said chairman Disney-Britton. Featured this past May at Manhattan's Dillon Gallery, the "Golden Sea" exhibition of new works, coincided with publication of Fujimura's first retrospective monograph, as well as a biographical documentary.

Since 2008, Alpha Omega Arts has been surveying members about the impact of Religious Art experiences in the United States, and awarding the ALPHA OMEGA PRIZE.

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Taking a Risk: Seven Days of Giving to Support Creation

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Gregory Disney-Britton



Color me risky! 33 artists are taking a "risk with religion" in Indianapolis this November, and I need your help to say "thank you" by giving to the Alpha Omega Prize - artist fund (Until Nov. 8, 2013). Working professionals, emerging artists, and one youth winner are now on display at Indiana Interchurch Center as part of the 2013 Spirit & Place Festival. The theme is "risk" and for seven days, I invite you to make a gift to thank an artist for taking the risk to explore religious ideas in the exhibition. One of the artists said they were concerned people would be angry about his relationship with religion, but he took the risk and is in the show. Another said, she was concerned that people wouldn't appreciate her positive relationship with religion, but she took the risk and she is here too. A third asserted her belief as an Atheist---but all are welcome, and included in this exhibition. [To give: click here]

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Artist, Tom Torluemke Brings His Contemporary View of the Nativity to Indianapolis

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

"Birth of Jesus" (2010) acrylic on wood, 42" x 24" x 18"

INDIANA---Chicago-native, Tom Torluemke isn't afraid to look at his Christianity differently than others in his tradition, including the birth of Jesus. His "Birth of Jesus" is one of the show-stopping works now on display this November as part of the 2013 Spirit & Place Festival in Indianapolis. "It's not your Sunday school illustration of the story" explains Gregory Disney-Britton, chair of Alpha Omega Arts. "The focus is on the halo, the birth canal, and a pierced heart of a mother," he says. "It's very much a postmodern illustration of the Nativity." Torluemke is one of 30 artists showcased in the Alpha & Omega: Religious Risks inaugural exhibition about religious risk this month, Disney-Britton says. Tom is also featured in a concurrent local solo-show at Mount Comfort Gallery. "Birth of Jesus" will remain on view through Nov. 29 at Indiana Interchurch Center's IIC Gallery along with a wide range of other artist works including photography, paintings, sculptures, textiles, and a light installation. Each is highly distinctive, although each has a religious integrity.

You can thank Tom, and the other artists for taking a risk with religious imagination, by making a gift to the Alpha Omega Prize: Artist Fund via power2give.org. 

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Historic Tiffany Stained Glass Windows on Display in Waco

WACO TEXAS TRIBUNE
By Carl Hoover

TEXAS---Historic Tiffany stained-glass windows representing angels from the Book of Revelation go on public display Sunday. American art, history and Christian faith align in “In Company With Angels,” a unique exhibit of seven stained-glass windows more than a century old that opens a three-month showing on Sunday at the Lee Lockwood Library and Museum. The exhibit “In Company With Angels” has been shown across the East and Midwest since 2007, but makes its first Texas stop in Waco, sponsored by the Historic Waco Foundation. [link]

Lee Lockwood Library and Museum: “In Company With Angels” (Ends Jan. 26); 2801 W. Waco Drive, Waco, TX; 254-753-5166; historicwaco.org/angels.

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