! Loading Video . . . This beautiful work was created by dancer Christine Suarez in collaboration with Gillian McGinty in response to Lamentations 5:15 and the theme of "Dancing." Lamentations 5:15 The joy of our heart has ceased; Our dance has turned into mourning. By Christine Suarez Credits: Collaborator: Gillian McGinty Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem – Academy and Chorus of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner Curated by: Elizabeth Dishman 2013 Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link This work is linked to Christine's explorations in her last project MOTHER. MOTHER. was inspired by the birth of her son and death of her nephew. In it, she dug into joy and grief. She found through this process, a deep sense of loss - a loss of a part of herself, her identity. A truly bittersweet experience. Christine and Gillian began working together with the intention to share their body practice with one another. Sharing weekly space and time together dovetailed naturally into investigating mourning. We began by experimenting how mourning looks/manifests/feels in different body parts. Ultimately we chose the hands. Our hands can reach out and pull away. They can comfort and connect us with one another while also push away and scold. We moved, reflected and lamented on the joy in our hearts ceasing with the intention to be open to the point where mourning can become potentially ecstatic. We wondered how can a dance of mourning become transcendent. How do we let go? Each new project evidences Christine's faith in the collaborative process and her belief that its generosity creates an intimate, shared space with the viewer. She has come to believe that the creative process is transformative experience - creating a community that did not exist before. She enters the process with curiosity and rigor. Her goal is to merge innovative movement, honest storytelling, academic scholarship and community activism. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Christine Suarez is a Los Angeles-based choreographer, performer and educator. Born in Caracas, Venezuela and raised in Baton Rouge Louisiana, Christine made her first works of choreography to the Grease soundtrack. Since then she has created eleven evening-length dance-theater works, numerous site-specific and community events and close to a dozen dances for the theater and film, along with teaching, creating and performing at school sites all over the U.S. While living in New York City from 1994-2006, her work was presented at various venues including Danspace Project, P.S. 122, HERE, Joyce SoHo and Dixon Place. In 1998 she founded SuarezDanceTheater, a not-for-profit, ensemble of dancers, actors and musicians. SuarezDanceTheater examines the unexpected – creating dance-theater in unexpected places with unexpected people about unexpected subjects. Christine and company were Artists in Residence at Tribeca Performing Arts Center from 2003-2006. Her work has toured nationally and internationally to over 20 cities. Her work happens in theaters, houses, parks, Churches, galleries, sidewalks and beaches. She collaborates with multi-generational performers along with parents, children, veterans, high school students and teen mothers. Since relocating to Los Angeles, she has been invigorated by making dances in unexpected places. Wet Spots (2008) was a site-specific performance about female orgasm that she created in collaboration with a multi-generational cast of women. The Los Angeles Times called it “ingeniously crafted…poignant…hilarious.” She has organized community dance participatory performances in parks, beaches and classrooms in partnership with city governments, community based organizations and schools. She has also been touring Wet Spots: Solo to Tallinn, Estonia, Movement Research at Judson Church (New York City), The Garage (San Francisco), Emory University (Atlanta, GA), The A.W.A.R.D. Show! (REDCAT). Most recently she premiered her new evening length work MOTHER . at the Motion Pacific at the Santa Cruz Fringe Festival and Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica, CA. As an educator, Christine has worked at public schools all over the New York City and Los Angeles area. She has been a guest teacher/choreographer at California State University San Marcos, California State University Los Angeles, Emory University, Indiana University, Southeastern University of Louisiana and Louisiana State University. She holds an MFA in choreography from UCLA’s World Arts and Cultures Department and a BA in Theater and English Literature from Emory University. She is a government contractor co-creating a dance program for Veterans at The School for Better Living, a psycho-social research initiative a the West Los Angeles VA Hospital. She also works as a teaching artist with the HeArt Project. She has been awarded grants from the Center for Cultural Innovation, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Puffin Foundation, Meet the Composer, the Association for Hispanic Arts, JP Morgan Chase Regrant, the Field and the 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center. She is honored to be a Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Cheech Marin Endowed Scholarship Scholar and recipient of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund McNamara Family Creative Arts Projects Grant. (Photo by CedarBough Saeji) www.suarezdance.org Website Christine Suarez About the Artist Artist in Residence 2015: Christine Suarez Part 2 Artist in Residence 2015: Christine Suarez Part 3 Artist in Residence 2015: Christine Suarez Part 1 Artist in Residence 2015: Christine Suarez Christine Suarez Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Dave Czupryna Usheringinofthewheel Web Loading Video . . . New York artist David Czupryna interprets the vivid account of the prophet Ezekiel's vision in Ezekiel 1 with "The Ushering in of the Wheel." Ezekiel 1:1-28 The Ushering in of the Wheel By David Czupryna Credits: Artist Location: New York City Curated by: Charis Carmichael Braun 2011 29 x 12 inches Water soluble colored pencil heightened with white pastel on wood Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link This is a reinterpreted version of Ezekiel's Wheel that I had been toying with. I liked the idea of the wheel within a wheel design, but instead of having the literal visual interpretation of the passage, I decided to go in a different direction and combined the wheels into one object. The passage calls for the rims of the "wheel within a wheel's" to be studded with eyes; instead, I added screaming cherub faces without pupils. I imagine the sight of such an object to be rather disturbing and unnerving as well as awe inspiring (besides, "disturbing" is what I do best). The putti surrounding the wheel are a procession of heavenly beings heralding its arrival. Some are wearing smiling skull masks (death), while others are without (life). This further adds to the idea of benevolence or malice being left to interpretation or even speculation. I like the idea of there being no absolutes, the idea of everything having aspects of both "good" and "evil" of benevolence and malevolence; it all depends on how one looks at it which makes it so. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection David Czupryna is a New York City-based artist and graduate of the New York Academy of Art. Website David Czupryna About the Artist David Czupryna Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Loading Video . . . The band Lowland Hum created The Father for Spark and Echo Arts in response to the theme of "poverty" and 1 John 1:5, 2:4-11. 1 John 1:5 1 John 2:4-11 The Father By Lowland Hum Credits: Written and recorded by Lowland Hum Artist Location: Charlottesville, Virginia Curated by: Jonathon Roberts 2014 Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link "The Father" was written on a day off during our first cross country tour. As we read through the scripture in 1 John, a few ideas struck and inspired us. The passage dramatically draws attention to the disparity between our identity as children of God and the way we treat one another. The subject that we were assigned by Spark and Echo was "poverty" and as we read the scripture we recognized our own poverty in a profound way. How can you say you love the father if you hate your brother who is made in His image? It is so easy for us to take a self-protective stance, putting others down, even if its just in our minds, to escape our own darkness and inadequacy. The story of this song is written in hopes of drawing attention to the lack inherent in our love for one another, especially in our families. At the end of the song, we hope to refocus on the freeing and glorious character of God, our only way toward wholeness. In the contrary way of Jesus, we aim to tear our eyes from our inadequacy and to dwell on His goodness and overabundance. In this act we are on the path toward healing, change and we are given the strength to love. In our poverty, He is rich. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Lowland Hum is wife and husband team Lauren and Daniel Goans. Together they invite their listeners to share in the space of vulnerable intimacy they have formed over years of steady collaboration. In the live setting, the duo offers an immersive experience of thoughtful songcraft interspersed with audience interaction and extemporaneous songs about the day's happenings. Their recordings take listeners on a journey through relatable, imagistic poetry exploring themes of memory, longing, confession and identity, and drawing attention to often unnoticed resonances of the everyday. Daniel and Lauren are a prolific, two-person creative factory basing their operation in Charlottesville, Virginia. They write, arrange and produce all of their own music, and have honed a cohesive design aesthetic to match the hushed simplicity of their sound. The duo's beginning starts with Daniel, a songwriter, performer and producer from North Carolina. Daniel and Lauren’s creative worlds first collided one hot, Greensboro summer in 2010 when Daniel asked Lauren to design the album art for a solo record he was working on. Having once heard Lauren singing to herself at a party, he eventually coaxed her into singing some harmonies on that same album. This was Lauren's first experience with recording. Previously, her performance experience consisted of her middle and high school chorus classes, which, in her own words, provided her with a strong connection to melody and harmony in a context that was well-suited to her shy disposition. Initially, Lauren performed with Daniel, singing harmonies on songs he had written, but within a year or so, the two began cowriting and arranging virtually all of the material together. Lowland Hum formed officially in 2012, a few months after the two were married and their collaboration deepened. In the years following the release of their critically acclaimed debut Native Air (2013), the duo has tirelessly toured the country, spending more time on the road than at home. In 2014 they followed up their debut with Four Sisters , a conceptual EP and video series, and then, in 2015, they released their eponymous sophomore full-length album, garnering a slew of praise, including an NPR First Listen. Lowland Hum has performed in diverse settings all over the country ranging from folk festivals, art museums and theaters to living rooms and gardens. During their time off the road, Daniel produces albums for other bands. Lauren's background in visual art asserts itself in the duo's collaboration significantly. She has created all of the band's artwork and design as well as several transportable installation pieces that served as additions to the band’s live performances. She is also responsible for an impressive collection of music videos often using found footage from public domain archives. Over the years, Lauren has designed five editions of handmade lyric books that the duo passes out to audiences so they can read along and interact more deeply with the lyrical content of their songs if they so choose. Lowland Hum's songs have been described as poetic and evocative, and their arrangements minimal, hushed and dynamic. They continue to attract a growing body of listeners around the world. Daniel and Lauren spent the summer of 2016 creating their third full-length album in a friend's attic. The album, Thin , came out on February 10, 2017, and is their "deepest collaboration to date" according to the band. They completed a nationwide headline tour, sharing the stage with the likes of Josh Ritter, Jesca Hoop and Penny and Sparrow along the way. After playing a handful of festivals this summer, the band will embark on a nationwide tour supporting Penny and Sparrow in the fall followed directly by a five week European tour. www.lowlandhum.com Website Lowland Hum About the Artist Lowland Hum Other Works By The Father by Lowland Hum 1 John 1:5, 2:4, 2:9-11 Jackie came home He doesn’t look us in the eyes He said he needs a pillow, and only for a while. Says luck is hard to find these days Especially when you got a bad name He’s covering his face And hiding his darkness in the barn. How can I say That I know the Father When I hate my brother For things he doesn’t do Gloria counting down the years The world has gone and left her While she’s cleaning up the dinner Wonders what her life could be Inherited the homestead She hates it but she won’t change a thing so there’re smiles on the faces of all of her siblings and her nieces and nephews will run where she ran They’ll all blow in like Christmas and then leave the house empty Again How can I say That I know the Father When I hate my sister For what she doesn’t have Our Father is light No shadows at all Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Loading Video . . . The Spark+Echo Band premieres "Do You Love Me?" in response to the encounter between Jesus and Peter in John 21 and one of our themes for 2012 "Sheep". John 21:15-23 Do You Love Me? By The Spark & Echo Band Credits: Curated by: 2012 Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link Jonathon says: “I was recently talking to a friend about the theme of sheep for Spark and Echo Arts, saying we are only spending a month on this theme because it’s harder to fill a whole three months with art on sheep passages in the Bible. He said, ‘Well Jesus spent a whole lifetime on sheep.’ And so he did… Here is one of the most famous – and rather mysterious I think – sheep illustrations from Jesus (John 21:15-18). In the song, we’ve tried to capture some of the youthfulness of Peter in the bassoon and the style of the song while recognizing the true underlying depth of what Jesus is saying to us all.” 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 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 Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Loading Video . . . Only a Few Years Will Pass is a guided improvisation for piano solo by composer Jonathon Roberts in response to Job chapter 16. Job 16:1-20 Only a Few Years Will Pass By Jonathon Roberts Credits: Performed by Jonathon Roberts Artist Location: New York City Curated by: Spark+Echo Arts 2010 Guided improvisation, piano solo Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link Here you will find a recording of the piece and also the score so you can play your own response to Job. This piece was written as a "guided Improvisation" for piano. It was meant for a concert setting or even to be used in worship at a service that focuses on this text. The performer is given an outline with the freedom to explore certain themes. Each episode is punctuated by a recurring motive. If you don't know the story of Job, read the full book. Chapter 16 is especially vivid and I feel has certain "improvisatory" elements that inspired this piano solo. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection J onathon Roberts is a composer and sound designer for games, film, theatre, and ensembles. His style grew out of classical and jazz training, and evolved through quality life adventures: touring the country in an RV with a one person theater piece on the Apostle Paul, living in Brooklyn with an improv music ensemble, performing in a downtown NYC absurdist comedy band, and a long stint writing music for the renowned slot machine company, High 5 Games. He has released four albums including the latest, Cities a song cycle personifying biblical cities. He created the popular podcast/web series ComposerDad Vs. Bible , in which ComposerDad accepts intense compositional challenges from a mysterious Bible while out with his kids. He frequently collaborates on music and theater projects with his wife, actor Emily Clare Zempel. They live in Beacon, NY, with their two boys and a tangled box of electrical cords. www.jonathonroberts.com Website Jonathon Roberts About the Artist Loving Arms I Make Tents The Sower Response There Is Room These are My Sons Consider Me a Partner Weakness The Day Is Almost Here Surrogate Babbler Remember Me Prayer How Beautiful I Am a Fool The Constant Ecclesiastes Cows Blessing Fools for Christ More Than Rubies Dear Friend Jonathon Roberts Other Works By Click to download a PDF of the score Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

stephanie-barenz_house-is-built.jpg Loading Video . . . Responding to Proverbs 24 and the metaphor of the home, artist Stephanie Barenz explores the story of wisdom within her work. Proverbs 24 A House is Built By Stephanie Barenz Credits: Curated by: Charis J. Carmichael Braun 2016 12 x 16 inches Acrylic, ink, pencil on panel Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link This painting is completed on a 12″x16″ wood panel with acrylics, ink, and pencil. I began by laying down a drawing in pencil and working back into it with a neutral palette of acrylics. I used water to dilute the paint to the point where it worked more like watercolor rather than acrylic. The pencil is laid on top of the acrylics, in order to bring out various details. As you can see, my process is a merging of drafting, drawing, and painting. The piece was then sprayed with an archival, kamar varnish in order to seal it. I chose Proverbs 24 as a catalyst for this mixed-media painting. I loved what verses 3 and 4 had to say, “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” I built the narrative of my painting around these verses. The image I worked from is of a neighborhood in Milwaukee, which is where I currently live and have my home. The extension lines that are coming off of the houses, highlight Proverbs 24’s message of applying the wisdom that is grown at home to the communities that we are a part of. As the chapter outlines our home is where our characters are formed. Our characters will either have a positive or negative impact on our communities. As Proverbs 24:28-29 states, “Do not testify against your neighbor without cause— would you use your lips to mislead? Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.” This is the wisdom that I want to fill the rooms of my home with. It is my belief that this kind of wisdom will help to form more vibrant and healthy shared collective spaces. I am grateful for the opportunity to have created a painting for Spark and Echo Arts that will forever remind me of this message. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Stephanie Barenz is an artist who makes mixed media work about place, sojourning, and storytelling. She received her MFA in Visual Arts from the Samfox School of Art of Design at Washington University in St. Louis and her B.A. in Art from Bethany Lutheran College in Minnesota. Her work is informed by her own experiences with sojourning which have included living abroad in Florence, Italy and Hangzhou, China. She grew up in Texas, Nebraska, and Wisconsin and has enjoyed living in several other midwestern cities. She currently lives with her husband, Zach, in Milwaukee, WI. Barenz has completed artist residencies through the Students Artist League of New York, the Pfister Hotel AiR program in Milwaukee, and at the Chicago Printmakers’ Collaborative. Her work has been acquired by notable public collectors, such as Northwestern Mutual and Alverno College and has private collectors across the United States and in Europe. Her paintings have been exhibited at the Milwaukee Art Museum, Museum of Wisconsin Art, Dean Jensen Gallery, the John Michael Kohler Art Center, Expo 72 in Chicago, and more. Barenz’s work has been featured in The Artist’s Magazine, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, MPTV, Milwaukee Magazine, the Huffington Post, among others. Learn more by visiting her website www.stephaniebarenz.com Website Stephanie Barenz About the Artist Stephanie Barenz Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

benje_daneman_featured.jpg Loading Video . . . Benje Daneman here with my second update as a 2015 Resident Artist for Spark & Echo Arts… as I mentioned in my last update, my project this year is writing a full length jazz suite based around the concept of Light in scripture. This yearlong endeavor is extremely interesting as I’m able to see long term how the project is being formed and changing over time. Even after only five months it’s evolved and morphed from what I thought it’d be to something slightly different! Find the complete progression of the work linked below. John 3:19-21 John 1:1-5 John 1:14 John 12:34-36 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 Artist in Residence 2015 | Benje Daneman 2 By Benje Daneman Credits: Curated by: Spark+Echo Arts 2015 Live Music, Jazz Suite Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link June 8, 2015 Benje Daneman here with my second update as a 2015 Resident Artist for Spark & Echo Arts… as I mentioned in my last update, my project this year is writing a full length jazz suite based around the concept of Light in scripture. This yearlong endeavor is extremely interesting as I’m able to see long term how the project is being formed and changing over time. Even after only five months it’s evolved and morphed from what I thought it’d be to something slightly different! A few updates… This is a great time for an update as one of my bands, SearchParty, met for the first to do an initial reading session of my music for this commission. I was able to bring four parts of the suite to the guys and they played them beautifully. Check out the video to hear the clips! I was hoping to stay only in the Book of John, but it seems as though as I’ve been finding my way out of that book and into the book of Thessalonians … and potentially one in Job still in the works. So far four songs have come to fruition… they are: “(Our Fear of) Exposure” – John 3:19-21 “Light in the Darkness” – John 1:1-5, 14 “Just a Little While Longer” – John 12:34-36 “Children of the Light” – 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 My most recent band, SearchParty, is taking this music on and our debut performance in NYC will be at Saint Peter’s Church (619 Lexington Avenue (& 54th St.) at 5pm on August 9th at their Sunday Jazz Vespers series. We’d love to see you there as we’ll be unveiling pieces some of the suite for the first time to the public there. My hope is to debut the full suite in a live recording performance in early November here in New York City. I’m in the works of securing the venue and should know very soon. Please stay tuned and we’ll let you know more info as soon as we can! I envision this being a pretty special night and would truly love you being a part of it. It’s pretty exciting seeing how the scripture has been speaking to me as I’m composing over the past few months. I find it to be my meditation/prayer time where I can dig deep into the context of the text and see how it shines a light in my own life. I can’t wait to see where the next steps bring me and this composition! Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection About Benje Daneman A sought after musician for his personal approach, creative musicality and strong versatility, Daneman got his start professionally in 2007 on a national tour with with Doc Severinsen’s Big Band. Since then he has performed with the world renowned Jose Limon Dance Ensemble, recorded for the Grammy nominated album “Elevation” (HMI Big Band) and has appeared as both a leader and sideman at prestigious venues across the country including The Kennedy Center, Baryshnikov Arts Center, FONT (Festival of New Trumpet) Music Festival and The Iridium. As a composer/arranger, he has received commissions from the United States Air Force Band (in Europe), Dr. Steve Zegree, Spark and Echo Arts and Lutheran Music Missions. His 2015 Artist in Residence for Spark and Echo Arts, is the catalyst for one of his newest projects called Search Party which approaches faith topics through original music, with a band including some of the top musicians on the jazz scene today, including Ike Sturm, Jon Cowherd, Jaimeo Brown and Ashley Daneman. Another new project of Daneman’s, Life Stories, calls upon his deep interest and history in musical storytelling by musically creating a personal and unique experience for the audience by aurally recreating true stories of people places and events. Daneman’s 2013 EP release Estelle’s Farewell Gift features all original compositions featuring Jeremy Siskind, Ashley Daneman and Andrew Rathbun and has been described as “Simple songs that open doors to complex reactions” (David Sumner, Bird Is The Worm). A Teaching Artist for the New York Pops, Daneman is a passionate educator and has led clinics and workshops throughout the country at such institutions as McNally Smith College, Western Michigan University, Concordia University and for the Michigan State Band and Orchestra Association. He is also the co-director of the Jazz & Creative Institute (http://www.jcinstitute.org), which has a mission to inspire artistic development and cultivate creative entrepreneurship for all levels of creative musicians. Benje has attended and holds degrees from Western Michigan University, The Henry Mancini Institute (Los Angeles, CA), and Manhattan School of Music (New York, NY). Benje lives in New York City with his wife, jazz singer-songwriter, Ashley Daneman and daughters, Rivi and Elise. Website Benje Daneman About the Artist Artist in Residence 2015 | Benje Daneman 1 Artist in Residence 2015 | Benje Daneman 3 To Lay Down One's Life Artist in Residence 2015: Benje Daneman Benje Daneman Other Works By Follow the development of Benje's project by reading this in addition to his first , third and final posts as a 2015 Artist in Residence. Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Loading Video . . . Artist Luwalhati responds to the women who witnessed the miracles in Matthew 26:56 through her piece titled, International Flower Bath. Matthew 27:56 International Flower Bath By Luwalhati . Credits: Curated by: Whitney Keitt 2023 45 x 60 centimeter Ink on sculptured paper mounted on painted wood Ink Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link Mary Magdalene, Mary and Salome (the mother of Zebedee's sons) are women who are very present in the life of Jesus. They are women who "followed Jesus" and who also ministered to him. Women are often paralleled to flowers. There are many characteristics that encompass a woman that a flower cannot contain but since early history until this contemporary time, the beauty and strength of a flower will always be connected to a woman. And yes to her physical beauty but more deeply to the beauty of her soul! One flower's beauty is enough to take our breath away! A flower is already beautiful by simply being present, but it is not at all a simple presence. It is a presence that gives gratuitously and brings healing. When the times are the hardest, Mary Magdalene, Mary and Salome did not abandon Jesus. They were present near or far. They want him to know that they were there. The beauty of flowers gives to the fullest even if their lives are very fleeting. Sometimes they give a smile to a sick friend or they give pollen to bees, bring life to the ecosystem and abundance to humanity. Flowers bring life! Women bring life! I created this painting's patterns & textures from flower emblems of countries that played a meaningful part in my journey as a woman and artist. I celebrate these wonderful women of the Bible with these life-giving flowers!!! Philippines-Sampaguita France - Iris Greece - Bear's Breech Germany - Knapweed Switzerland- Edelweiss China - Plum Blossom Iceland - Mountain Avens U.S.A. - Rose As you look closer to the painting, you will also see a traditional way of how some women take their bath in nations around the world. As my husband said, it is a simple feminine pose that encaptures viewers as does the elegant design of floral tapestry! Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Luwalhati's paintings interpret and capture the patterns, colors and play of light that nature brings, from the coral reefs of the 7,641 islands of the Philippines to the beautiful snow-covered French Alps, which leads her to see and tell stories of another world that she imagines and longs for. She wants to integrate her background and influence as an interior designer with her passion for fine arts. Her intuition, observations and studies led her to create her series of semi-abstract and abstract paintings with layers of colors and textures through her personal technique of ink on sculptured paper. This is one aspect of her repertoire but she also creates playful illustrations of fantasy and reality. Luwalhati recently came back to the Philippines after 8 years of living and working in Paris, France as a missionary artist. Life is now fuller and busier since the artist married the poet. And this particular poet has 3 darling children who lost their previous mom to cancer. So, they are now settled in the beautiful island of Bohol where you can also visit her humble studio that pairs as an airbnb. Website Luwalhati . About the Artist The Already and Not yet Luwalhati . Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Loading Video . . . "Surrogate" is a song and soundscape dwelling on a deeply difficult decision made by a Sarai and Abram in Genesis 16:1-2. Genesis 16:1-2 Surrogate By Jonathon Roberts Credits: Performed by Jonathon Roberts Artist Location: New York City Curated by: Jonathon Roberts 2011 Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; so she said to Abram, "The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her." Abram agreed to what Sarai said. This song imagines a modern couple in this situation. While his wife is busy showering in another room, a husband prepares to propose a similar solution as the one Sarai and Abram navigated. The great thing about exploring the Bible using music or other time-based art is that it can stretch out moments that are hugely significant yet only represented by a few verses. It also helps us understand and empathize with people from a seemingly very distant time and culture. The artwork accompanying this piece is a detail of a painting entitled "Premonition" by Charis Carmichael Braun, used by permission. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection J onathon Roberts is a composer and sound designer for games, film, theatre, and ensembles. His style grew out of classical and jazz training, and evolved through quality life adventures: touring the country in an RV with a one person theater piece on the Apostle Paul, living in Brooklyn with an improv music ensemble, performing in a downtown NYC absurdist comedy band, and a long stint writing music for the renowned slot machine company, High 5 Games. He has released four albums including the latest, Cities a song cycle personifying biblical cities. He created the popular podcast/web series ComposerDad Vs. Bible , in which ComposerDad accepts intense compositional challenges from a mysterious Bible while out with his kids. He frequently collaborates on music and theater projects with his wife, actor Emily Clare Zempel. They live in Beacon, NY, with their two boys and a tangled box of electrical cords. www.jonathonroberts.com Website Jonathon Roberts About the Artist Loving Arms I Make Tents The Sower Response There Is Room These are My Sons Consider Me a Partner Weakness The Day Is Almost Here Babbler Remember Me Prayer How Beautiful I Am a Fool The Constant Ecclesiastes Cows Blessing Fools for Christ More Than Rubies Only a Few Years Will Pass Dear Friend Jonathon Roberts Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

suarez_final.jpg Loading Video . . . I plan on making a duet for two women inspired by the Book of Ruth. I imagine it will be around 20 minutes in length. I’m still in the reading, thinking and dreaming stage of my process. I will begin rehearsals in early May. I’m eager to get into the studio with these two dancers to begin our physical investigation. Find the complete progression of the work linked below. Ruth 1:16-17 Artist in Residence 2015: Christine Suarez Part 1 By Christine Suarez Credits: Curated by: Spark & Echo Arts, Artist in Residence 2015 2015 Dance Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link March 23, 2015 I plan on making a duet for two women inspired by the Book of Ruth. I imagine it will be around 20 minutes in length. I’m still in the reading, thinking and dreaming stage of my process. I will begin rehearsals in early May. I’m eager to get into the studio with these two dancers to begin our physical investigation. Months ago my neighbor happened to tell me about a song her Rabbi sings. Ruth’s words: “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” It brought tears to me eyes. What beautiful faith! What conviction! That was my entry point for this work – moved by a complete willingness to give everything up for another. I find the story of Ruth and Naomi fascinating in many ways. I’m deeply moved by Ruth’s unrelenting loyalty and by Naomi’s feelings of forsaken abandonment from God. I wonder how these can exist side by side. What is each of their motivations? Ruth expresses her emotions nakedly to Naomi – pledging her undying devotion and willingness to give everything up for her. And Naomi basically ignores her or rather does not accept Ruth’s pledges as any comfort. Naomi repeatedly publicly expresses how she is alone (“the hand of the Lord is against me”). The end of the story does not resolve this tension. It is left very open to interpretation. I am curious about the structural composition to the Book as well. There are two moments of formal poetry within the Book: Ruth’s devotional speech and Naomi’s declaration of desertion upon entering Bethlehem. How are these two moments of poetry in dialogue with each other? I’m reading many interpretation of this story: Jewish scholars, humanity scholars and Christian scholars. I’m looking at classical art inspired by the story including works by William Blake. The more I read, the more questions I have. Is this a political parable? Is it a story of mystical symbolism? What is the significance of the poetry vs. the prose within the Book? How are these questions going to translate into a dance-theater work? I don’t totally know. But I do know that as a creator I need to deeply connect with my subject matter. I can relate more to Naomi’s struggle and her blindness to the gifts that Ruth is offering her. I have felt very, very alone at points in my life unable to connect with God (and other people). In fact I have at times felt like God was punishing me. At this point I am most interested in the relationship of Ruth and Naomi and each of their internal emotional landscapes. Together with the dancers, we will start by finding ways to physicalize these emotional landscapes. We will work towards translating the relationship of these two women into the corporeal using space, time and sound. I can’t wait to share more of my process with you. It is such a privilege. Thank you! If you have any thoughts or responses, please feel free to email me at suarezdance@gmail.com. Samples of Christine’s previous work: From Mother , Photo by Christine Suarez From Mother, Photo by Lori Teague From Motherhood Redux, Photo by Thomas Cox From Dances in Public Parks, Photo by Paul Antico From Spark and Echo Arts: The joy of our heart has ceased; Our dance has turned into mourning. An Excerpt from Mother Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Christine Suarez is a Los Angeles-based choreographer, performer and educator. Born in Caracas, Venezuela and raised in Baton Rouge Louisiana, Christine made her first works of choreography to the Grease soundtrack. Since then she has created eleven evening-length dance-theater works, numerous site-specific and community events and close to a dozen dances for the theater and film, along with teaching, creating and performing at school sites all over the U.S. While living in New York City from 1994-2006, her work was presented at various venues including Danspace Project, P.S. 122, HERE, Joyce SoHo and Dixon Place. In 1998 she founded SuarezDanceTheater, a not-for-profit, ensemble of dancers, actors and musicians. SuarezDanceTheater examines the unexpected – creating dance-theater in unexpected places with unexpected people about unexpected subjects. Christine and company were Artists in Residence at Tribeca Performing Arts Center from 2003-2006. Her work has toured nationally and internationally to over 20 cities. Her work happens in theaters, houses, parks, Churches, galleries, sidewalks and beaches. She collaborates with multi-generational performers along with parents, children, veterans, high school students and teen mothers. Since relocating to Los Angeles, she has been invigorated by making dances in unexpected places. Wet Spots (2008) was a site-specific performance about female orgasm that she created in collaboration with a multi-generational cast of women. The Los Angeles Times called it “ingeniously crafted…poignant…hilarious.” She has organized community dance participatory performances in parks, beaches and classrooms in partnership with city governments, community based organizations and schools. She has also been touring Wet Spots: Solo to Tallinn, Estonia, Movement Research at Judson Church (New York City), The Garage (San Francisco), Emory University (Atlanta, GA), The A.W.A.R.D. Show! (REDCAT). Most recently she premiered her new evening length work MOTHER . at the Motion Pacific at the Santa Cruz Fringe Festival and Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica, CA. As an educator, Christine has worked at public schools all over the New York City and Los Angeles area. She has been a guest teacher/choreographer at California State University San Marcos, California State University Los Angeles, Emory University, Indiana University, Southeastern University of Louisiana and Louisiana State University. She holds an MFA in choreography from UCLA’s World Arts and Cultures Department and a BA in Theater and English Literature from Emory University. She is a government contractor co-creating a dance program for Veterans at The School for Better Living, a psycho-social research initiative a the West Los Angeles VA Hospital. She also works as a teaching artist with the HeArt Project. She has been awarded grants from the Center for Cultural Innovation, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Puffin Foundation, Meet the Composer, the Association for Hispanic Arts, JP Morgan Chase Regrant, the Field and the 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center. She is honored to be a Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Cheech Marin Endowed Scholarship Scholar and recipient of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund McNamara Family Creative Arts Projects Grant. (Photo by CedarBough Saeji) www.suarezdance.org Website Christine Suarez About the Artist Artist in Residence 2015: Christine Suarez Part 2 Artist in Residence 2015: Christine Suarez Part 3 The joy of our heart has ceased; Our dance has turned into mourning. Artist in Residence 2015: Christine Suarez Christine Suarez Other Works By Follow the developmental journey of Christine's project by reading her second , third and final post written over the course of the year. Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

joshua-sterlin-jackson_daily-bread.jpg Loading Video . . . Artist Joshua Sterlin Jackson constructed this work to draw out a sense of what is felt when meditating as described in Psalm 1:2. Psalms 1:2 Daily Bread By Joshua Jackson Credits: Curated by: Marlanda Dekine 2017 11 x 14 inches Acrylic on Canvas Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link In this piece I used cool tones and free-flowing colors that move in abstract directions to produce a feel of peace and meditation. Praying hands over the Bible symbolize one's meditation on Scripture. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Joshua Sterlin Jackson is a visual artist of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Josh creates art with the intentions to move people emotionally and mentally all the while creating the ‘wow factor’. When Josh creates his works he uses high contrast, subjects, and boldness of color to appeal to viewers. Josh states that art is a fun challenge more than it is an expressive outlet. His style of work expresses his personality and creative mindset naturally. He works in mediums ranging from pencil sketches to life size mural paintings. Currently Josh works as a freelance artist and participates in various shows and galleries. His goal is to bring growth to the arts to his city! Website Joshua Jackson About the Artist Joshua Jackson 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 created this theatrical film in response to Psalm 107:23-32. Psalms 107:23-32 Wonders of the Deep By Lauren Ferebee Credits: Curated by: Spark+Echo Arts 2015 Short Film Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link I set out in creating this piece to make a theatrical film – since I am primarily a theatre artist, I wanted to retain elements of the theatrical, but wanted to create a response to this verse that could be fully experienced by anyone who interacted with the work via the website. In reading my section of Psalm 107, I was struck by two major elements: the importance of water and travel in the merchants who go out on this journey to another shore, and the way that God chooses to show his might: by bringing them to their knees and then guiding them to safer shores. The first image I had was a woman in red, standing in the middle of a river with a suitcase, uncertain of where her journey will take her. The second image was an origami boat. These two images became central to the visual narrative of the piece. I think what emerged out of that, on a personal and artistic level, was the theme of uncertainty. When we set out on journeys, we have a false sense of knowing where they are going, how they will turn out. What this psalm teaches is that none of us know what may happen on that journey, or how the experience of the journey will affect us, or whether, at the end of it, we will look back on the journey and regret it. All we know is that the pieces (some might say wreckage) of the lives we have made for ourselves inevitably finds its way through with us, and ultimately, we must discover what we will keep, what we will give away and what will follow us no matter how much we try to leave it behind. 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 while in a foreign land 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