Loading Video . . . Poet Judith Kunst brings us this beautiful poem in response to Lamentations 2:13. Lamentations 2:13 See If There Be Any Sorrow Like Unto My Sorrow By Judith Kunst Credits: Curated by: Elizabeth Dishman 2015 Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link What entry point could a 21st century Midwestern poet find in an ancient poem attempting to grieve the desecration and dissolution of an entire nation? I wondered if I could find it in the 13th verse of chapter two, where the writer declares his own linguistic lack: loss of metaphor. "To what can I liken you," he says, "that I may comfort you?" Why is the act of setting two unlike things side by side and placing an equal sign between them a comforting act? Without being able to explain why, we instinctively know and practice the comfort of expressing exactly what we feel: Her smile is a boat that can carry me to safety. His look of scorn pierces me like a dagger. I wondered if a poem that used an apophatic structure‚ the rhetorical strategy of describing a thing by describing what it is NOT‚ could help me come closer to apprehending a sorrow so devastating that the quintessentially human act of metaphor-making has been rendered impossible. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Judith Kunst is the author of The Burning Word: A Christian Encounter with Jewish Midrash (Paraclete). Her poetry can be found in The Atlantic, Poetry, Image, Able Muse, Measure, Southern Poetry Review, and other publications. She leads workshops that seek out the intersections of language, scripture, and culture, and she lives with her family at La Lumiere School in northwest Indiana. Website Judith Kunst About the Artist Judith Kunst Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art Because everything has been taken, because everything that might have offered itself or been taken for consolation has already offered itself and been taken View Full Written Work See If There Be Any Sorrow Like Unto My Sorrow by Judith Kunst With what can I compare you, Daughter Jerusalem? To what can I liken you, that I may comfort you, Virgin Daughter Zion? Your wound is as deep as the sea. Who can heal you? – Lamentations 2:13 Because everything has been taken, because everything that might have offered itself or been taken for consolation has already offered itself and been taken, there can be now no consolation of comparison. You are a city but you are not like a city: your buildings are not like buildings, your streets are not like streets, they no longer pave the way for people who no longer act like people. Crying is heard, but I cannot say it is like the crying of lost children, for nothing in it remotely resembles innocence. I cannot say it is like the crying of boiled water in a kettle, for water does not start a fire under itself, nor does water keep boiling when its kettle has been crushed. How I long to say your crying is like that of wild geese, for then I could hear in your sobs some hope of pattern, some syncopation with the rhythms of departure and return. There is not. Any. I write, Your wound is as deep as the sea, and this is such a poorly drawn picture of our tears of our minds thrashing and lost in this enormity of crying that I see: even our language has broken up and been taken away. Close Loading Video . . . Because everything has been taken, because everything that might have offered itself or been taken for consolation has already offered itself and been taken Download Full Written Work

Loading Video . . . Video artist Scott Baye captures the "joy of love" as described by Paul in 1 Corinthians with this playful video piece. 1 Corinthians 13:13 Bubbles By Scott Baye Credits: Video by Scott Baye Music by Jonathon Roberts Video Game by Bubble Bobble Artist Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin Curated by: Jonathon Roberts 2005 Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link This is a scene from the theater piece Project Paul , based on the life and writings of the Apostle Paul, created in collaboration with my brother Jonathon Roberts. This is a playful response to the joy of love, as described by Paul in 1 Corinthians. It was also an opportunity to for Jonathon and I to play Bubble Bobble together. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Scott Baye is a software engineer and video artist living in Green Bay, Wisconsin with his wife Karen and four children. Website Scott Baye About the Artist Scott Baye Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Brandon Mathis Popout Loading Video . . . Artist Brandon Mathis explores the liminal in his created work's response to the theme of “Dancing” from 1 Kings 18:26. 1 Kings 18:26 Untitled (Mathis) By Brandon Mathis Credits: Curated by: Janna Aliese 2013 8.5 x 11 inches Inkjet print, Graphite, Gouache, Colored pencil on Paper Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link The world can be divided into the familiar and unfamiliar. The boundary between the two is fluid and through experience certain elements from one side move to the other. The change from unfamiliar to familiar, and vice versa, is a key component in personal insight. It brings out new understanding. By examining and altering the familiar relationships between imagery, ideas and media I work to alter everyday object or situation to facilitate this shift. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Brandon Mathis is a visual artist living in Queens, NY and is currently an MFA candidate at Hunter College in NYC graduating 2014. He was born in Arkansas and received his BFA from the University of Central Arkansas. Working in sculpture, installation and drawing his work deals with what it means to know and occupy a place, material ingenuity and the role of spirituality in contemporary life. Website Brandon Mathis About the Artist Brandon Mathis Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

The Rejoicing of Obedience The Ruin of Idolatry Loading Video . . . Visual artist Nicora Gangi explores behavior and outcome in this diptych responding to two juxtaposing passages in 2 Chronicles (vv 7:10; 22:4). 2 Chronicles 22:4 2 Chronicles 7:10 The Body without the Spirit | 2 By Nicora Gangi Credits: Curated by: Spark+Echo Arts 2021 11 x 14 inches Paper and digital collage Mixed Media Collage Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link About “The Rejoicing of Obedience” (from 2 Chronicles 7:10) Then on the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people to their tents rejoicing and happy of heart because of the goodness that the Lord had shown to David and to Solomon and to His people Israel. The whole congregation expressed the greatest joy and satisfaction imaginable. They kept the feast of the dedication of the altar, then the day of atonement, and finally, the feast of tabernacles. We must never begrudge the length of hours, days or even weeks we spend in the worship of God and communion with Him. For the joy and happiness of heart will so far outweigh any length of it. About “The Ruin of Idolatry” (from 2 Chronicles 22:4) Ahaziah was 42 years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. [...] He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord like the house of Ahab… (2 Chronicles 22:2a, 3-4a, NASB 1977) A repetitive statement in II Chronicles is: “He did evil in the sight of the Lord.” These kings debased and destroyed themselves because they kept close to the kinds of idolatry, lewdness and sensuality, which the God of Israel strictly forbade. Forsaking the divine guidance that was theirs through the good and famous priests and Levites who taught the knowledge of God in David’s life time, they listened to the counsels of their relations, becoming a ruin to the nation of Israel. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Nicora Gangi was educated at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA (BFA 1974 and MFA 1976). She was a Professor of Art at Syracuse University for 29 years. Gangi has been awarded many Grand Prize and First Place awards and grants. She has been and continues to be published in numerous artist’s books on pastel paintings. She has lectured regionally and nationally as a visiting artist at universities and artist’s guilds. She is represented by: Edgewood Gallery (Syracuse, NY), and Gangi Studio (Winter Garden, FL ). Website Nicora Gangi About the Artist The Mountain of the House of The Lord I See Him but Not Now So Shall Your Descendants Be This One The Body without the Spirit | 1 The Body without the Spirit | 3 The Sealed Ones Peace with God The Everlasting Protective Love of God Our Father When the Lord Gives Us The Land I See Him but Not Now The Mountain of the House of The Lord Paneled and Ruins Series The Harvest Spirit of God-The Spirit Hovering Memories Lies Fool Dance Your Truth from the Great Congregation Psalm 18 Sound of Their Wings Psalm 16 Kiss the Son EAST, WEST, NORTH & SOUTH AT HIS TABLE Nicora Gangi Other Works By View the other two posts in this collection at: The Body without the Spirit | 1 The Body without the Spirit | 3 Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

baralaye_sea_post-3_main.jpg Loading Video . . . Part 3: Follow the process for creating this piece for Artist in Residence 2016 Romans 9:20-26 Artist in Residence 2016, Ebitenyefa Baralaye – Part 3 By Ebitenyefa Baralaye Credits: Curated by: Spark & Echo Arts, Artist in Residence 2016 2016 Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link My third post finds me in a new home, San Francisco, after months of transition and life on the road. The line “Why have you made me like this?” from my selected passage has rung repeatedly in my mind over many hours taking stock of and packing all of my belongings (mostly my artwork and studio items) into storage in preparation for shipment. I have traversed the conceptual, physical and practical cost of everything I own, deciding what would be kept and what should be shed. Numerous times artworks intended for the glories of exhibition and acquisition have found their way to a dumpster and the odd relic of my past, uncovered from a tucked away box, was deemed too precious to depart with. The judgment of what is honorable or dishonorable, worthy of keeping or destroying, truly lies in the heart of its beholder and maker. The images included in this post catalog some items I have come across on my cross-country journey over the past two months of traveling and living on the road. Each has given me pause to consider how God uses simple and great things of creation for purposes beyond our expectations and awareness. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Ebitenyefa Baralaye is a ceramicist, sculptor and designer. He was born in Lagos, Nigeria, raised in Antigua and lives in the United States. Ebitenyefa received his BFA in Ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design. His studio bases have included Long Island City, Queens; the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts in New York City; and Bloomfield Hills, MI where he is currently enrolled as a Ceramics MFA candidate at the Cranbrook Academy of Art. He has exhibited in various solo and group shows domestically and internationally including the 2011 Gyeonggi International Ceramix Biennale in Icheon, South Korea and the 2016 Toronto Design Festival. He has held residencies at the Peters Valley Crafts Center in Layton, NJ and most recently, Talking Dolls in Detroit, MI. Website Ebitenyefa Baralaye About the Artist Artist in Residence 2016, Ebitenyefa Baralaye – Part 2 Artist in Residence 2016, Ebitenyefa Baralaye – Part 1 David Abram Artist in Residence 2016: Ebitenyefa Baralaye – "Bam Bam" Ebitenyefa Baralaye Other Works By Follow the developmental journey of Ebitenyefa’s project by reading his FIRST , SECOND , THIRD and FINAL posts written as a 2016 Artist in Residence. Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Loading Video . . . Responding to Isaiah 5, Lancelot Schaubert's short story causes readers to wrestle with the concept of justice as we identify and distance ourselves from the characters therein. Isaiah 5 Watchtower By Lancelot Schaubert Credits: Background Photo by Jewad Alnabi on Unsplash Curated by: Spark+Echo Arts 2022 Short Story Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link I wanted this piece to capture the ambiguity of future judgment and even the impermanence of it as all justice through Jesus is restorative and not retributive: a wasteland isn't an abyss, isn't nothing. A wasteland is simply laid fallow. In fact, the Heath is one of the biggest images in England for pre-cultivation, the sort of thing the Spirit might hover over like the primordial chaotic waters of creation. In this respect, even in the judgment of the verse, there's hope: from tilling to tilling to tilling. Sowing to sowing to sowing. Eventually you'll hit harvest, even if it takes a sabbath of sabbaths to fallow and find. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Lancelot has sold work to The New Haven Review (The Institute Library), The Anglican Theological Review, TOR (MacMillan), McSweeney's, The Poet's Market, Writer's Digest, and many, many similar markets. (His favorite, a rather risqué piece, illuminated bankroll management by prison inmates in the World Series Edition of Poker Pro). Publisher's Weekly called his debut novel BELL HAMMERS "a hoot." He has lectured on these at academic conferences, graduate classes, and nerd conventions in Nashville, Portland, Baltimore, Tarrytown, NYC, Joplin, and elsewhere. The Missouri Tourism Bureau, WRKR, Flying Treasure, 9art, The Brooklyn Film Festival, NYC Indie Film Fest, Spiva Center for the Arts, The Institute of the North in Alaska, and the Chicago Museum of Photography have all worked with him as a film producer and director in various capacities. Website Lancelot Schaubert About the Artist Artist in Residence 2019: Lancelot Schaubert - Part 3 Artist in Residence 2019: Lancelot Schaubert - Part 2 Artist in Residence 2019: Lancelot Schaubert - Part 1 Posh Girls As Waters Cover Artist in Residence 2019: Lancelot Schaubert Dragonsmaw Daily | 1 Dragonsmaw Daily | 2 Dragonsmaw Daily | 3 Stripped to the Bonemeal Metaphysical Insurance Claim 0075A: The Delphic Oracle Philadelphia Bloodlines Lancelot Schaubert Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art Zeke wanted good grapes. Not the cheap kind we use to make jams or table wine, good grapes. Great wine: the sort you bring out first at a wedding. View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Zeke wanted good grapes. Not the cheap kind we use to make jams or table wine, good grapes. Great wine: the sort you bring out first at a wedding. Download Full Written Work

Loading Video . . . "Yo Sé" by the Spark+Echo Band is a musical bilingual response to Jeremiah 29. Jeremiah 29:11-14 Yo Sé By The Spark & Echo Band Credits: Words and Music by Jonathon Roberts // Musicians: Jonathon Roberts, accordion, voice; Emily Clare Zempel ukulele, voice; Jay Foote Upright bass; Alex Foote, percussion // Mixing: Alexander Foote // Mastering: Christopher Colbert Curated by: Spark+Echo Arts 2012 Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link This is a classic passage, one of those that you want to put on your wall or memorize when you are having a rough day. I use it as such, carry it with me. Sometimes I think about it at the little Lutheran storefront church we go to in Queens. This lovely bilingual church community that has been our home for 10 years is part of what inspired writing our first song in Spanish and English. This song was part of the Spark+Echo Band's second album, Inheritance . Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection The Spark & Echo Band is a family outfit of songwriting-storytellers led by husband and wife duo Jonathon Roberts and Emily Clare Zempel. Their music brings forgotten poetry and wild stories from the Bible to life: visions of sparkling wheels in the sky, hunger and thirst, and legends of love as strong as death weave with memorable melodies and captivating rhythms. Drawing from a classical background, influenced by the pianism of Rufus Wainwright and Ben Folds, and emulating Paul Simon’s narratival techniques, Spark & Echo sings epic tales of love and adventure. The duo has collaborated on three full lengths albums (Spark&Echo, Inheritance, Cities Project), one video album (In the Clocktower), in addition to many theatrical collaborations, this very nonprofit, and two children. They live in beautiful Beacon, New York, with all of the above. Website The Spark & Echo Band About the Artist White Robe What a Day Deep Calls to Deep Do You Love Me? Where Can I Go? How to Be Free Flesh Lifeblood Artist in Residence 2015: Spark & Echo Band Take to Heart The Wheels Frogs Ruined Inheritance The Spark & Echo Band Other Works By I know the thoughts that I think when I think of you. I know the plans that I have for you. Plans of hope, Plans to prosper, Thoughts of peace, And none of calamity. And you shall call upon me, And you shall come to me, And you shall pray unto me, And I will harken unto you. And you will seek me, And you will find me, When you search for me with all your heart. I will be found of you, I will be found of you. And we will be free. Yo sé los planes que tengo para tí. Yo sé muy bien los planes que tengo para tí. Planes de bienestar, Y no de calamidad. A fin de darle un futuro y una esperanza. Y tú me invocarás y vendrás a suplicarme. Y yo te eschuraré me buscarás y me encontrarás, Me encontrarás cuando me busques de todo corazón. Te dejaré encontrarme, y tú serás libre. And I will seek you, And I will find you, I will search for you with all my heart. I will find you. I will search for you with all my heart. I will be found of you, And we will be free. Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Loading Video . . . Composer Jonathon Roberts is inspired by Ezekiel 1 and Chef Aarti Sequiera's "Ezekiel's Wheel Chickpea Salad" to create Wheels, a song that now exists in two versions, one for rock band and one for chickpeas. Ezekiel 1:15-21 The Wheels By The Spark & Echo Band Credits: Musicians: Jonathon Roberts (vocals, piano), Emily Clare Zempel (bassoon), Matt Bauer (harmony vocals), Jay Foote (bass), Mason Neely (drums) Mixed by Alex Foote Mastered by Matt Shane (Masterdisk, NYC) Curated by: Spark+Echo Arts 2010 Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link The above rendition of "Wheels" is from the debut album of the Spark & Echo Band. The song, however, has an interesting history. In the first year of Spark+Echo Arts, when it was called Bible Confrontatie, the project emphasized confronting or responding to another artist's response to Scripture. In that vein, this song was originally created as a response to Chef Aarti Sequiera's Ezekiel's Wheel Chickpea Salad , another work in the Spark+Echo project. To create the song, I recorded the great sounds that came up as I made her salad in my kitchen: firing up the gas burner, roasting a red bell pepper over the burner (it whistled and popped), stirring up tahini, pouring chickpeas, chopping shallots, boiling beets, scraping the skin off the bell pepper with a knife, dropping and toasting walnuts in a pan (we were out of pine nuts). Then I sampled Aarti saying two words from her video: "Tahini" and "Chickpea." I used the tah, iin, and chi sounds. In the spirit of a Food Network style challenge, I limited myself to only the recorded sounds from the salad prep and Aarti's three syllables (tah, iin, chi) when making the composition. I cut the sounds up, pitched them at different octaves, and added delay and reverb. The text is adapted directly from the story of Ezekiel's Vision of God in Ezekiel 1. There are so many fascinating parts of this story, but since Aarti focuses on the mysterious wheels that Ezekiel saw, I thought I would also make this the focus of the song. I imagine the narrator emphatically telling the story of what he just saw to the first person he sees. When we see something incredible, barely believable, sometimes we focus on just one component of what we saw, the only part we can wrap our head around. Imagine a couple telling their grandkids about an extreme storm they just witnessed. The storm had tornados, torrential rains, and affected thousands of lives, yet the part of the story they tell over and over is that there was a mailbox in perfect condition yet up in a tree. The rest of the tale was unfathomable so they keep coming back to that mailbox. That reminds me of Ezekiel a little bit when he spends so much time focusing on the wheels‚-how many, how they intersect, that they move but don't turn. Perhaps of all the wild things he saw, the wheels were something that he could wrap his head around and communicate so he really focused on them. So those are the parts of Aarti's Recipe and Ezekiel's story I am confronting with this "Chickpea Edition" of the Wheels. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection The Spark & Echo Band is a family outfit of songwriting-storytellers led by husband and wife duo Jonathon Roberts and Emily Clare Zempel. Their music brings forgotten poetry and wild stories from the Bible to life: visions of sparkling wheels in the sky, hunger and thirst, and legends of love as strong as death weave with memorable melodies and captivating rhythms. Drawing from a classical background, influenced by the pianism of Rufus Wainwright and Ben Folds, and emulating Paul Simon’s narratival techniques, Spark & Echo sings epic tales of love and adventure. The duo has collaborated on three full lengths albums (Spark&Echo, Inheritance, Cities Project), one video album (In the Clocktower), in addition to many theatrical collaborations, this very nonprofit, and two children. They live in beautiful Beacon, New York, with all of the above. Website The Spark & Echo Band About the Artist White Robe What a Day Deep Calls to Deep Yo Sé Do You Love Me? Where Can I Go? How to Be Free Flesh Lifeblood Artist in Residence 2015: Spark & Echo Band Take to Heart Frogs Ruined Inheritance The Spark & Echo Band Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Two, Oil on Canvas, 10 x 20 inches Lifted, Charcoal on Paper, 14 x 17 inches Loading Video . . . Abigail Barr explores the theme of "Community" from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 through two different works of oil and charcoal. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two and Lifted By Abby Barr Credits: Curated by: Matt Talmage and Renee Bergen, Pop-Up Curator 2012 Two: 10 x 20 inches. Lifted:14 x 17 inches. Two: Oil on Canvas. Lifted: Charcoal. Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link Growing up in a strong evangelical family, my faith and art are deeply intertwined. I think of spiritual concepts in terms of visual images, and often the inspiration for my art comes from what I am learning or meditating on in my walk with the Lord. This project was no exception. I keenly felt my own insufficiency for the task and wrestled with the image throughout my time working on it, but ultimately I found my faith strengthened as I experienced the Lord inspiring and guiding me faithfully through the process. I have always loved creating illustrative work that suggests story, as well as using people as subject matter. For me, figures are a powerful way to tell a story and show emotion in my work. The passage I chose to illuminate (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) speaks deeply about the importance of relationships and community, of keeping yourself woven into the fabric of lives around you. Correspondingly, I wanted the two figures I drew to be joined inextricably as one whole unit, and yet distinguishable as separate entities, pushing and pulling on each other and displaying dynamic unity. I hope the image illustrates the power of bearing one another's burdens and carrying one another through hard times, even though this may be difficult and messy. We can only succeed by looking to the One who bore all our burdens perfectly, and continues to lift us up when we fall. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Abby Barr grew up in Hampton Roads, Virginia as part of a large, artistic family. She has been drawing and creating artwork as long as she can remember. Since her early teenage years, she has shown and sold her work, as well as fulfilled commissions. After graduating from high school, where she recieved four years of private classical art instruction, she went on to study Theology and Philosophy at Grove City College (2007), where she also consistently pursued art classes outside her major. Her mediums of choice include pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, watercolors, ceramics and collage. Abby has travelled and lived around the world, for both work and pleasure, and moved to Manhattan in 2011. She currently doodles and sketches in Harlem or at a shared studio near Columbia University. Website Abby Barr About the Artist Abby Barr Other Works By Abigail was chosen by our Pop-Up Curators, Matt Talmage and Renée Renata Bergan during a Spark & Echo concert at Pete’s Candy Store . Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Loading Video . . . "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be." This love song is inspired by the Bible's writings on eternal life, true lasting love, and the beautiful night time sounds of spring peeper frogs near the house I grew up in in Wisconsin. The Bible passage that appears directly in the song is Matthew 6:19-21, and the concept of dying to ourselves from Paul (1 Corinthians 15:31) is also prominent. Other biblical concepts include the influence of nature and spiritual forces on our lives, the lies we believe, and the hope of eternal life (see Psalm 136:1, 1 John 2:25, Jude 1:21). Matthew 6:19-21 Frogs By The Spark & Echo Band Credits: Curated by: Spark+Echo Arts 2010 Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be." This love song is inspired by the Bible's writings on eternal life, true lasting love, and the beautiful night time sounds of spring peeper frogs near the house I grew up in in Wisconsin. The Bible passage that appears directly in the song is Matthew 6:19-21, and the concept of dying to ourselves from Paul (1 Corinthians 15:31) is also prominent. Other biblical concepts include the influence of nature and spiritual forces on our lives, the lies we believe, and the hope of eternal life (see Psalm 136:1, 1 John 2:25, Jude 1:21). This song was written at my childhood home after a break-up with a long-time girlfriend, Emily Clare Zempel. Year later, Emily and I reunited in NYC and got married. I sang this song at our wedding reception, and later, we recorded it as the Spark+Echo Band and toured it around the country. It used to be a sad song for me, but now it's a love song between us. -Jonathon Roberts Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection The Spark & Echo Band is a family outfit of songwriting-storytellers led by husband and wife duo Jonathon Roberts and Emily Clare Zempel. Their music brings forgotten poetry and wild stories from the Bible to life: visions of sparkling wheels in the sky, hunger and thirst, and legends of love as strong as death weave with memorable melodies and captivating rhythms. Drawing from a classical background, influenced by the pianism of Rufus Wainwright and Ben Folds, and emulating Paul Simon’s narratival techniques, Spark & Echo sings epic tales of love and adventure. The duo has collaborated on three full lengths albums (Spark&Echo, Inheritance, Cities Project), one video album (In the Clocktower), in addition to many theatrical collaborations, this very nonprofit, and two children. They live in beautiful Beacon, New York, with all of the above. Website The Spark & Echo Band About the Artist White Robe What a Day Deep Calls to Deep Yo Sé Do You Love Me? Where Can I Go? How to Be Free Flesh Lifeblood Artist in Residence 2015: Spark & Echo Band Take to Heart The Wheels Ruined Inheritance The Spark & Echo Band Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Loading Video . . . Multidisciplinary artist Lauren Ferebee responds to Psalm 137 through her theatrical film. Psalms 137 while in a foreign land By Lauren Ferebee Credits: Curated by: Emily Clare Zempel 2013 Theatrical Film Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link In thinking about Psalm 137, I was struck by the phrase “daughter Babylon” – the female personification of land, which is a theme that recurs in history and in literature – the female body as a space to be mapped, conquered, and known. I thought about this in relationship to the psalm's overall discussion of self-silencing – the act of not wanting to sing for those that keep you captive, and yet knowing that if you don’t sing for long enough, if you are silent for long enough, you will forget your song. “while in a foreign land” explores what silence does to memory: how the real violence in the act of conquering and destruction is an act of forgetting. I deconstructed this narrative to look at small pieces of it from different points in time, overlaid with video highlighting different aspects of the female body in space and how we respond to it. In particular, I examined the narrative of sex slavery in our culture, and how we distance ourselves from its brutal reality. I struggled with that even in researching it. Learning about young – very young, impossibly young – girls being tortured, drugged, and kidnapped all over the world (even in our country) was a wake-up call for me. Women distanced from their bodies even as they are defined by their bodies. This piece is only the beginning of a long examination of everything I found when I started digging – the beginning of my artistic confrontation with the subjugation of women’s bodies, and the way that global patriarchy systematically condones the separation of women from their deepest selves, through violence, through language, through culture, ultimately resulting in their decision to silence themselves, as the speakers of Psalm 137 choose to silence themselves, even as they fear forgetting the roots of their songs. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Lauren Ferebee is a Texan native and a multidisciplinary artist whose primary mediums are playwriting and installation/video art. Most recently, her play The Reckless Season was selected for Stage West’s Southwest Playwriting Competition Festival of New Works, and her alternative screwball comedy Sexual Geography was a finalist for the Reva Shiner Comedy Award at the Bloomington Playwrights’ Project. In 2014, she was a juried fellow at Saltonstall Arts Colony, a semifinalist for the Shakespeare’s Sister fellowship and the first theatre-artist-in-residence at HUB-BUB in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where in addition to writing, she did community-based theatre work. Her most recent work includes Sexual Geography (developed at HUB-BUB), The Reckless Season (The Spartanburg Little Theatre/HUB-BUB), Somewhere Safer (FringeNYC 2013, Inkwell finalist), and Blood Quantum (At Hand Theatre & WET Productions). Three of her short plays, jericho, jericho , Bob Baker’s End of the World and The Pirate King are published online at indietheaternow.com , where Somewhere Safer is also published as part of the 2013 Fringe Collection. She is a member of playwriting collective Lather, Rinse, Repeat, and studied playwriting, screenwriting and television writing at Primary Stages/ESPA. Lauren also has regional and NYC credits as an actress on stage and in film, and from 2007-2010 was co-artistic director of a site-specific classical theatre company, Rebellious Subjects Theatre. She especially enjoys acting in and teaching Shakespeare and working on new plays. She holds a BFA in drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Website Lauren Ferebee About the Artist Artist in Residence 2016: Lauren Ferebee Part 1 Artist in Residence 2016: Lauren Ferebee Part 2 Artist in Residence 2016: Lauren Ferebee Part 3 Wonders of the Deep Artist in Residence 2016: Lauren Ferebee Lauren Ferebee Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Damien Johnson Alma No 5 Loading Video . . . Multi-disciplinary artist Damien Johnson (also known by his artist name "Kid Moon Slayer"), explores his personal identity in connection to the passage of 1 Timothy 6. 1 Timothy 6:1-21 ALMA No 5 By Damien Johnson Credits: Photo Credits: Luis Gonzalez Curated by: Laurel Justice 2018 12 x 24 inches Spray paint, Acrylics, Glitter and Markers Mixed Media on Wood Board Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link Alma No 5 explorers the hidden Concepts and direct instructions stated in 1st Timothy, Chapter 6. The human soul Traverses to a higher spiritual self. Royal purple and a lime green background represent a kaleidoscope of emotion and a calming resolve. The kaleidoscope of feelings includes how I felt while making this piece and the color combinations that I Incorporated in this work. While the purples and greens representative royalty; black symbolizes negativity and sin; gold is linked to Holiness and the white shimmer represents purity. The gold and diamond white shimmer cast and protect against the negative space, invoking a sense of peace and elevation. Red represents Pride and strength without being high-minded and the orange compliments that red. The subtle green that is in the drawing around the eyes of the man are to compliment and hint at that Royalty possessed within himself. The lion symbolizes the unwavering pride from the spiritual realm and the melanin-rich brotha entails his loyalty connection to that family. Lions do not question who or what they are: they simply know. The lion also refers to the tribe of Judah who Yashua belonged to as well as many others mentioned in the Bible. Since Timothy's mother was Jewish , she may have come that tribe. I had to do some reading of the books around this passage to get clarity on my choice of the lion as a symbol when I was making this piece. I believe selecting the lion as the representation of spiritual strength was the best choice because whenever a lion is talked about — inside or outside of the Bible — it is depicted as a strong and Ferocious Beast. A lions knows what it is: does not imitate being something else or downplay its being. I really tried to tie that into this passage of the Bible where it's talking about having your faith and truly pursuing Christ. When Lions speak, you hear it clearly. The message here is also clear: Not allowing yourself to be defeated or overtaken by adversities that are presented in the Bible; not giving into temptations that are presented before you; and the result of what happens when you do go astray from the clear instructions that Scripture tells you to follow. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Damien (KMS — Kid Moon Slayer ) is a 23 year-old, Afro-Hebrew, Colorado-based self taught multidisciplinary artist who loves exploring the wide array of offerings across the spectrum of expression. In addition to owning a family catering and entertainment company, he explores all mediums from paint to dance — hip hop, salsa, contemporary, modern and freeform — and music-making to flying through the sky — tricking and acrobatics. Tricking is the stunt and flashy style of body movement taken from commonly, but not limited to: Fighting disciplines, dance forms, gymnastics, cheerleading, etc. Originally meant to add some "spicy" flare to martial arts and display sportsmanship as well as distinguish you from other contestants or make your arts flow better eventually developed over the last generation into its own sport and since has only grown all around the world. Although the community is relatively large, it is still new and unheard of to the general public. "Art is an Expression of the soul and power beyond measure and this artist believes that with this life you get a chance to change, say or do anything. What will you do and how will you make every moment count? Inspiration springs to life when you see what everyone sees and are captivated by the unknown." — Damien Website Damien Johnson About the Artist Damien Johnson Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work