Emmanuel

May God's presence bless you now and in the coming year.
From everyone at
Episcopal Church & Visual Arts

Art work from "O Antiphons" by Jan Neal

"Venite Adoremus"

"Venite Adoremus—O come let us adore him. These words from an ancient hymn bid us to enter anew into worship of our Lord during the cycle of seasons of the church year from Advent through Christmastide to Epiphany..." writes Frank and Griffin Logue, curators of ECVA's latest on-line exhibition now published at Episcopal Church & Visual Arts. Included in the exhibition is the work at right, "Madonna and Child Boxes" by Christine Nicoll Parson of St. Monica's Episcopal Church, Diocese of Washington. Christine's watercolor celebrates Hymn 112, Hymnal 1982, In the Bleak Midwinter :

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

"Venite Adoremus" includes the works of 34 artists in the Episcopal community who celebrate the Christmas story through a variety of themes and mediums, all reflecting visions inspired by some of Christianity's most beloved hymns. This is a must see. It will lift your spirits, warm your soul and make you hum a hymn or two.

The Logues, ECVA's father and daughter team, did a fine job putting together this show.

Which is your favorite work, favorite hymn? What is your overall impression of the exhibition?

Jan Neal
Program Director
Episcopal Church & Visual Arts

The Power of Images

Next time you contemplate the power of images, consider the following:

According to Nesta de Robeck in his 1956 The Christmas Crib , during the second century Emperor Hadrian built a sanctuary to Adonis in Bethlehem over the site of the Nativity in an effort to destroy Christianity. St. Helena and Constantine reclaimed the spot for Christianity by establishing the Basilica of the Nativity in A.D. 326. When the Persians invaded Bethlehem in A.D. 614 the building was spared because the Persian invaders found a mosaic scene of the Persian Wise Men on the interior walls.

According to Nesta de Robeck, "During the Persian invasion the enemy noticed the Magi dressed in Phrygian cloaks and caps carved on the facade, and they took them for worshippers of Mithras bringing gifts to his altar. This mistake saved the church..."

What are some of the most powerful images you have seen and will never forget?

Jan Neal
Program Director
Episcopal Church & Visual Arts

The Vision Glorious

"Greta's Hands" by Krystyna Sanderson, photographer and Chair of the ECVA New York Chapter, appeared in an exhibition of works by members of the New York Chapter of ECVA hosted by The General Theological Seminary in New York from September 26 through October 28, 2005. More information about the exhibition, entitled "The Vision Glorious", can be found at ECVA Newsletter Special Issue (December 2005), including a slide show of works and artists.

What an inspiration this first ECVA chapter's energy, commitment and talent are to all Episcopal artists across the country.

Jan Neal
Episcopal Church & Visual Arts
Program Director

Liturgical Kites

I am wondering if anyone knows of a source where one could buy liturgical kites?

Jan Neal
Episcopal Church & Visual Arts
Program Director

Visioning Advent/Christmas

How does your church sanctify worship space during Advent and Christmas? When and how do you green your church, and do you have any particular traditions involving the visual arts for this season?

Jan Neal
Program Director
Episcopal Church & Visual Arts

St. James Episcopal Cathedral Call for Entries: Enemies

Here is an engaging topic for visual exploration: the notion of our enemies.

Historically, individuals, families, nations, and cultures have struggled to differentiate friend from foe. More often than not, people have found it easier to define themselves by who they disapprove of, what they fear, and why they hate: in short, their enemies. Richard Gage and Paulette McDaniels -- in collaboration with the St. James Episcopal Cathedral's Arts & Music Ministry -- are organizing a six-week exhibition and invite you to join them in exploring the notion of enemies in painting, sculpture, photography, writing, or other media that can be displayed in a gallery setting. A limited number of pieces will be exhibited at St. James Episcopal Cathedral in Chicago's River North neighborhood during Lent 2006, March 1 -April 14. Sales inquiries will be referred to artists. Deadline for submission is January 15, 2006. For more information contact Richard Gage at RichardGage51@sbcglobal.net or 773-463-5456.

Who are your enemies? Who do you disapprove of or fear? How might you depict them in art, and how might such a study change your perspective of the enemy?

Jan Neal
ECVA Program Director