The Orchard's Art Initiative!

“Art...can be a doxology in itself.” Francis Schaeffer

This coming weekend is the grand opening of The Orchard’s Community Art Initiative! 

Here’s the deal...  From now through January 2010, we are featuring over 60 paintings, original prints, and mixed media works by five local international and nationally acclaimed artists.  (Their work is already on display throughout The Orchard’s campus and let me tell you....it looks AMAZING! Will post photos after this weekend...)

This is a dream come true for us on so many levels.

For one, we believe that we must be people who recognize, create, and release beauty in our city and world.  And since we value the artful expression of people from all different backgrounds and who are at all different places in their spiritual journey, we believe that partnering with local artists is essential in seeing this happen.

We’re also joining together with these artists to create tangible expressions of love through existing partnerships both locally in Aurora and globally in Uganda, El Salvador, and Thailand. 

(And here’s the really cool part...  Not only are these works available for purchase, but all of the artists have agreed to donate a percentage of their proceeds back into one of our Glocal Partnerships.  How amazing is that?!)

Best of all, this is just the beginning.  We want to keep finding new and creative ways to be a supportive and empowering voice to our local artists as they continue to bring beauty to our world through their unique expressions of truth.

Can’t wait to see where this journey leads us in the weeks and months ahead!

Here are the details for this weekend:

Opening Reception & Food Drive
Sunday, November 15th, 2009 from 12:30pm - 2:00pm
The Orchard Community | 101 S. Barnes Rd., Aurora, IL 60506 | 630.897.8888

We're also encouraging everyone to bring non-perishable food items to benefit the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry.

Here’s a link to a few of the artists:

Dorothea Bilder
Tim Burns
Maureen Gasek
Cheryl Holz

P.S. Attention Artists! Continuing Art Exhibitions are scheduled for 2010 and 2011. We are currently looking for artists to submit their work starting fall 2010 and continuing through 2011.  For more information on future exhibits or for information on how artists can submit work, please contact: Maureen Gasek, [email protected] or 630-898-3859.

Comments

[Eric Olsen]

my soul skipped a beat just reading this post. yea!

[cynthia cullen]

This is a dream that I have for our church to connect at this level with artists on Hilton Head Island. Blessings to you, Scott, and your team. This is huge!

[Scott Huck]

Exciting to see this happening ... I think unless you have purposely left out photographers as artists.

Which kind of makes me laugh in a sad way, "Will post photos after this weekend..." disclaimer: but don't be mistaken, the photographer is not the artist but rather the art / artist in the photograph.

[Chris Courtney]

What an AWESOME ministry! Being created in the image of the Creator, we are creative beings. What a wonderful way to celebrate our Creator - honoring Him with our created works of art.

[Carole Turner]

Great idea. I am an artist but I live in Baton Rouge Louisiana so I can't come see all the great art you are gonna show.

I was there for Story Conference and I have to say, you are a great MC! Seriously, your very good at that!

Your church is beautiful, modern yet homey and inviting.