Vessel - space in which the spiritual interacts with art

There is a great example of practically exploring the relationship between art and spirituality on Tim Abbott's blog involving art students at Colchester Sixth Form College, the college chaplain, and Jevan Watkins Jones, one of the associate artists at Firstsite, a visual arts centre in Colchester seeking to make contemporary art relevant to all.

Initial meetings and workshops produced a theme, “Vessel”, signifying the space in which spirituality interacts with the artistic impulse. This then led on to an exhibition by the students held last week at the College. Tim writes that "This project has been a great example for us of how the work of chaplaincy in the college can integrate into other aspects of college life."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Barclay James Harvest - Hymn.

Cricket, Churches, Art and Meals

I've had a busy but very enjoyable weekend which began on Friday evening with a testimonial event for Robert Croft in the Long Room at Lords followed by a day trip to Stoke-on-Trent for the licensing service of Rev. Geoffery Eze in the parish of Stoke Minister and then, after morning services at St John's, a trip to Mersea Island to speak at the Learning Supper for West Mersea Parish Church at the invitation of Peter Banks.

My talk on commission4mission and exploring approaches to Christian Art can be read by clicking here.

In the course of the evening I also found out about the work of Jevan Watkins Jones as a firstsite associate artist and the work being done in local schools and colleges by Christian Youth Outreach (CYO). Watkins Jones often uses his art to resensitize our relationship with ' found objects ' whether a narrative or a motif, he offers us a different view defined by its subtlety and beauty. Tim Abbott, Director of CYO, will be the next Learning Supper speaker sharing experiences of prayer from their Sanctum project.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After The Fire - 1980-F.