I AM POSTING A LETTER TO CATHOLIC ARTISTS, FOLLOWED BY A REQUEST TO THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT A UPCOMING ARTS CONFERENCE. I WILL POST MORE STUNNING IMAGES TOMORROW
new link http://www.catholic-artists.com/enter-your-info.html
2015 Catholic Arts Conference
Conference Theme: Bringing Sacred Catholic Art to the Everyday World
We are bombarded with hundreds or thousands of messages and images each day. How can we keep Christ in front of us if we aren’t reminded of His presence in our daily lives? Contemporary Catholic artists have the power (and responsibility) to raise up souls by showing to others the light and life of Christ and the Saints. Pope John Paul II said “Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in him/herself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent but must develop it.”
Sacred Artists understand that God’s communication through artistic expression is a unique form of evangelization; they feel the responsibility to bring about God’s message and strive to change in the world through art. In his Letter to Artists, Pope John Paul IIsaid “That is why artists, the more conscious they are of their gift, are led all the more to see themselves and the whole of creation with eyes able to contemplate and give thanks, and to raise to God a hymn of praise. This is the only way for them to come to a full understanding of themselves, their vocation and their mission.”
Sacred Art is that which “calls one to prayer”. We pray during the day when compelled –— but do we see evidence of our Catholic Faith in the many images reaching our psyche? Unless we visit Jesus in Church where evidence abounds in imagery, song, poetry, sculpture and architecture then the answer is “no”. Can the Catholic Church take on the secular media? It sure seems that Pope Francis is having a wonderful affect. Why?
Because he embodies Christ in his actions and deeds, and because he has intentionally sought to do so. Let’s explore ways to bring about a new renaissance of Catholic art in its many forms. Let’s have a conversation which can pique the interest of both talented sacred artists and faith-filled publishers, editors, distributors, and communicators.
Our conference will begin the U.S. tour of the European exhibit by Steen Heidemann titled “Faces of Christ”. Our worldwide conference to be held in Omaha, Nebraska, USA hopes to create and continue a conversation about bringing Sacred Art into the everyday world, how to draw people to God through art, and as Blessed John Paul II asks, “to combine and elevate our works to God”.
Categories of art to be examined are Fine Art, Architecture, Sculpture, Music, and Film. Competitions for amateurs and professionals will offer opportunities for artists in these five categories to display their works and receive awards judged from experts in the five fields of art. The September 2015 conference will offer networking between those involved in Sacred Art on a daily basis and those interested in bringing about an epiphany to evangelize and communicate our Catholic Faith through Sacred Art.
Call to artists: If you are involved with art in one or more of these five areas, we ask you to communicate your interest, to attend and submit one or more works of art to be exhibited at the conference. Works must be recognizably Catholic. The entry fee will be based on sponsor support, vendors exhibiting, the interest received and numbers attending. So please forward this to all Catholic artists and promoters of Sacred Art!
Call to Art Distributors, Editors, and Publishers: This conference seeks to bring buyers and artists together. Please communicate your interest in attending, exhibiting and sponsorships. Exhibit space will be offered in a hall close to conference classes and competition display galleries. The sponsorship fees will be based on the level of sponsorship exposure.
Call to sponsors: Companies or individuals wishing to advertise and exhibit their artist supply products are asked to communicate their interest. Opportunities for sponsorship are available. Exhibit space will be offered in a hall close to conference classes and competition display galleries. The sponsorship fees will be based on the level of sponsorship exposure.
Conference format: Early arrivals on Friday can visit St. Peter’s Church which was featured on EWTN production “Where Heaven Meets Earth” http://www.storytel.org/whme/
A Friday evening reception in the anchor hotel will open the conference.
Saturday classes will be taught by leaders and professionals in the five areas of
Catholic Art.
A keynote speaker (to be determined) will be one of our highlights.
A banquet will be held for attendees on Saturday evening where the results of judging will be announced with monetary and other awards going to the best in show.
We hope to have a youth concert Saturday evening. Wouldn’t it be awesome to hear Matt Maher?
Sunday will begin with breakfast, and end with Mass at St. Cecilia’s Cathedral near the downtown Omaha conference location.
Faces of Christ Exhibit by Steen Heidemann: This conference is the launching pad of a United States Tour of the traveling European exhibit “Faces of Christ” by curator Steen Heidemann http://www.faces-of-christ-collection.com/gallery.html Steen will choose five U.S. artists works of fine art to be included in the exhibit which will go on to Chicago, San Francisco, Washington DC, and New York City.
We need help and soon! We need backers, supporters, and financial support from people who wish to be recognized as supporting Catholic Art in the forms of Fine Art,
Architecture, Sculpture, Music and Film. Without financial support we cannot book the date for the conference (hopefully September 2015). Please contact us.
John Meng-Frecker Yolanda Bello
306 South 53rd Street 402.306.6279
Omaha, NE 68132 yolandabello@yahoo.com
402.510.3426
johnm@holywatercolor.com
joy of nine9 