Loading Video . . . Fashion photographer Justin T. Shockley's work responds to the theme of "Community" from Romans 5:10. Romans 5:10 Ragamuffin By Justin Shockley Credits: Curated by: Ebitenyefa Baralaye 2012 9.5 x 14 inches Photography, Digital Film Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link This particular work is inspired by film, God, faith, and humanity. I am deeply influenced by alternative culture and cult films by directors like George Romero (who incidentally is a Christian) and authors like Anne Rice. The monster genre has long been a great source of the complex view of evil and friendship. On the one hand you have a monster seen in a movie like Frankenstein who is seen as a source of evil but there is something more complex there I think. Even he, despite his atrocities, desires redemption. The monster can find redemption but he needs help. The monster requires salvation in a sense outside himself or he is lost. Just as the moral of the story of Frankenstein goes "there is nothing more humanizing than friendship." This piece reflects my thoughts on God's redemption. We are, in point of fact, enemies of God much like the vampires in Anne Rice's novel. If we are apart from God we are without hope. We must drink and steal life from the universe to sustain ourselves but it does not satisfy our thirst. Much like how the vampire story reflects Anne Rice's walk before she met Christ, this work reflects our need for covenant type friendship with a childlike approach. This is not Postmodern Art. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection My name is Justin T. Shockley and I am a internationally published Fashion photographer and freelancer for the New York Times. I’ve shot everything from fashion/editorial, lookbooks, celebrities, news, and stock. Currently I am photo editor, fashion photographer, and consultant for Glamorous Chic magazine here in New York City. I’ve been shooting 5+ years and am a second generation photographer. On the Web: www.justintshockley.com On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Justin-T-Shockley-photography/42215716554 Website Justin Shockley About the Artist Justin Shockley Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Love Awakened 4 2011 Cj Cb 19 Loading Video . . . It was a lovely, warm spring night in NYC for "Love Awakened," Spark and Echo's multi-disciplinary arts event held on April 18th, 2011, at 2 Great Jones in the East Village. Jessica Cermak and Joie Bauer performed as lovers in a theatrical performance of one of history's most beautiful love poems, Song of Songs. This piece was directed by Emily Clare Zempel and featured music written by Jonathon Roberts, performed by Roberts, James Hall, and Matthew Talmage. Complimenting the performance was live painting of a mural in response to the text by Linda Serrone Rolon. Song of Solomon 1:1-5:15 Song of Solomon 6:1-8:14 Love Awakened: Song of Songs By Jessica Cermak and Emily Clare Zempel Credits: Adapted by Emily Clare Zempel and Jessica Cermak Actors: Jessica Cermak, Joie Bauer Directed by Emily Clare Zempel Music by Jonathon Roberts Performers: James Hall, trombone; Jonathon Roberts, piano/vocals; Matthew Talmage, percussion; Emily Clare Zempel, vocals Live Painting by Linda Serrone Rolon Presenter: Carey Wallace Artist Location: New York City Curated by: Emily 2011 Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link This evening was a collaborative experience that we hope can be replicated at other venues starting with the resources on this page. We found the combination of theater, live painting, music, poetry, and audience response time to be an inspiring way for everyone to experience this remarkable text. If you would like to perform this adaptation of Love Awakened, please contact us . Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Fellow New York actors and theater makers Jessica Cermak and Emily Clare Zempel have a deep love for classical text and devised theatre. This passion and partnership brought Love Awakened to life. Website Jessica Cermak and Emily Clare Zempel About the Artist Jessica Cermak and Emily Clare Zempel Other Works By Following the performance was a talk by special guest author, Carey Wallace, author of The Blind Contessa's New Machine. Ms. Wallace spoke on the unique qualities of love letters and what makes Song of Songs timeless. Audience members were then given time to write their own expression of love to someone special in their life. It was an exciting evening exploring this beautiful text together through the arts. This evening was a collaborative experience that we hope can be replicated at other venues starting with the resources on this page. If you would like to perform this adaptation of Love Awakened, please contact us . Read the Script Scores: Better Than Wine • Incidental Music • Solomon's Get Ready Song • Set Me As a Seal More photos from the event Excerpt from the Evening: Songs from the production: Extended footage of the evening: Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Loading Video . . . Poet Priscilla Wathington explores Lamentations 3:46-54 and the history of Bloody Hill in her new poem, Landmark #427. Lamentations 3:46-54 Landmark #427 By Priscilla Wathington Credits: Curated by: Spark+Echo Arts, Selected from Artist Submissions 2015 Poetry Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link Last summer I drove through Sonoma county with my family, then continued north along miles of twisted redwood thoroughfares, sharply curving highways cut into bleak rock, and were only interrupted by blighted towns with firewood sale pit-stops and empty lots lined with diseased trees. I was struck by a sense of desertion and wanted to find out who had lived there before, and what relationship they had cultivated with the blustery crop of birds, the foggy beaches and teaming river systems. Among other histories, I came upon the story of Bloody Island, an often overlooked chapter of California's past. Once the site of a thriving community, the Pomo (so named by anthropologists) witnessed the plunder of their lands, skies and waters, and the slow starvation of their people by "enemies without cause." On May 15, 1850, following the earlier killings of Officers Stone and Kelsey, a group of U.S. Calvary descended upon Bloody Island. One recorded oral history describes dead children being carried to the water on the ends of bayonets and tossed in, while others were shot as they tried to swim to safety.[1] Today, due to levees and diverted rivers, Bloody Island is a hill surrounded by reclaimed lands with only a plaque to recount its tragic past. [1] Max Radin and William Ralganal Benson, "The Stone and Kelsey 'Massacre' on the Shores of Clear Lake in 1849: The Indian Viewpoint," California Historical Society Quarterly, Vol. 11, No. 3 (Sep., 1932). Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Priscilla Wathington is a Palestinian American poet, mother and freelance editor who lives in San Francisco, approximately 120 miles south of Clear Lake. Website Priscilla Wathington About the Artist Priscilla Wathington Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art Hunt me like a winter loon, my throat thin and mottled if the splittail desist your proffered View Full Written Work Landmark #427 By Priscilla Wathington Hunt me like a winter loon, my throat thin and mottled if the splittail desist your proffered mealworm, duck your brusquely copied basket traps, consider me, relatively speaking a poor man’s fry paired with strings of kelp, buckeye nuts and salt. Before your children’s mouths turn to bread, strip my feathers for their musky oils their faint expectation of vagrancy, simultaneous wing molt. Drag me, flightless, the May Clear Lake blooms rose, where I swam headily among the bloodied bands of men who, like me, never cleared the whetted slit of your bayonet. Close Loading Video . . . Hunt me like a winter loon, my throat thin and mottled if the splittail desist your proffered 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

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

Loading Video . . . This thought-provoking poem written by Lancelot Schaubert challenges readers to imagine the world after capitalism has fallen, which is in response to Amos 6: 1-14. Amos 6:1-14 Stripped to the Bonemeal By Lancelot Schaubert Credits: Illumination Representation Image by Lancelot Shaubert with Ai on Midjourney Curated by: Spark+Echo Arts 2022 Poetry Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link I focused on the alliterative meter for this piece to give a sort of Old English Beowulf or Nordic ire. Most of the Hebrew ire is lost on us. I hoped an epic meter would round this out. 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 Watchtower Metaphysical Insurance Claim 0075A: The Delphic Oracle Philadelphia Bloodlines Lancelot Schaubert Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art Time will come when the tyrants wane, When Cape Cod will be encased in ice Frozen like the final fires of hell View Full Written Work STRIPPED TO THE BONEMEAL By Lancelot Schaubert Time will come when the tyrants wane, When Cape Cod will be encased in ice Frozen like the final fires of hell Where the tears of the taker confine. To these Bible Belt complacent we say WOE — To Lexington’s healthy horse breeders, To Houston’s oil oligarchs and their wives, To St. Louis’s stealers of farms (The corn mutants of Monsanto fiefs), To Indy’s hoarders of insulin patents, And redlining real-estate Brokers spread like a patina of SPAM — We say woe to you wicked Christians. You feel secure in the coastless heights. For Saudi and Iraq, for the Soviets and China. For Mexico City and Singapore. For Japan and Uganda, for Polynesia and Sweden. Are they so much worse for wear to insult? Are you so better off than these beautiful places? And there will be time for The End to anguish greed. When your lapis lazuli La-Z-Boys® Fold inward in a fractured heap, When the mojitos you inhale dockside Slip in your sweat and shatter on deck, When your Golden Globes gilded in Peru mines Tarnish by your misinvoiced trade policies, When your Powers That Be lose your power in three Carefully placed hurricanes, When your poor will be seen, empowered and whole. Enjoy your tours of juniper spirits, Foodie reviews and festivals of music. Enjoy your Costco wine and calves. Your people — your poor — lie in ruin. And because of that: America ain’t great. "If the civility of a society’s what you want to size, Take a deeper look at its prisons.” —Dostoevsky The meal will get stripped to the bonemeal. The lounge will stiffen, so languishes the sex, And the market crashes making you the poor And not merely the poor in meek spirit. When your pride is ended, you will ask this: How did the meek shall inherit the earth? Close Loading Video . . . Time will come when the tyrants wane, When Cape Cod will be encased in ice Frozen like the final fires of hell Download Full Written Work

Maria Fee Panegyric2 Loading Video . . . We are pleased to share this brilliant and beautiful work by painter Maria Fee, based on 1 Corinthians 12:26. 1 Corinthians 12:26 Panegyric By Maria Fee Credits: Artist Location: New York City Curated by: Janna Aliese (Dyk) 2009 9 x 12 inches Oil on wood Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link My work has always been process driven. Works evolve, mutate, meander, and grow. Images come, go, stretch, disappear. The end of a painting is just the close of a chapter, the preparation and introduction to the next work. Working in such an organic manner the images tend to reflect personal ruminations‚ an ongoing conversation with the medium and the questions of daily living. I tend to grapple with themes of acceptance and belonging: life lived in the tension between individuality and community;the struggle for unity and union without demolishing the personal and particular. In all my art-play whether it be with paint, collage, or fabric, I've learn that making art is a faith journey; living in the tension can be good and beautiful; and, art making aids our exploration of the mechanized, consumerist, and fractured world we live in. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Maria Fee previously served as an arts ministry coordinator in the Center For Faith & Work (CFW), Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Maria was the visual coordinator for various Redeemer projects and facilitated collaborative programs such as the in-house literary magazine, creative showcase night, the writers vocation group, and an annual juried exhibition. Maria’s work as a painter reflects her own theological queries regarding being and becoming within a communal body. She holds a B.F.A. and M.F.A. in Painting from Queens College, C.U.N.Y. and a M.A. in Theological Studies from New Brunswick Seminary. Maria is a native New Yorker and married to Brian Fee, also an artist. They have three grown children. Maria has been published by a variety of visual arts journals. Most recently, she was featured in the journal of the Society for the Arts in Religious and Theological Studies writing about the work of Russian artist Natalia Goncharova. Website Maria Fee About the Artist Maria Fee 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 Sower is a song and group collaboration in response to Jesus' "Parable of the Sower" as told in Mark 4:1-20. Spark and Echo Arts led an audience of brave adventures in the Massachusetts Berkshires to create mini-soundscapes in response to the parable. Mark 4:1-20 The Sower By Jonathon Roberts Credits: Concept and music 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 This piece was created at the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod North Atlantic District 2011 Labor Day Retreat in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Audience members were recorded as they pondered and improvised sounds in response to the different scenarios in Jesus' Parable of the Sower. The audience explored the farmer throwing seeds on rocky places, among thorns, where birds can snatch it, and finally on good soil. We're always excited to create new work with other people, so we're thankful to the retreat organizers and audiences members for including us in this very fun weekend in the mountains. 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 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 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