Art & Faith Conversations

A commissioning benediction prayer for artists written and read by host, Libby John. Artists are often undervalued or overlooked by their faith communities and as a result don't receive the blessing of prayer that they need. However, it's the artists who are willing to reside in the tension between the dark and the light, the now and the not yet. These are not easy places to dwell in but it's the artists who give us a language to interpret these deep things of life we don't have words for. This prayer is a commissioning and affirming of the artist's creative gifts and a benediction for wherever they may go.

https://www.instagram.com/artandfaithpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/artandfaithpodcast/

https://vividartistry.org

Host, Libby John, talks about creativity being the great interruption that shakes us awake from the numb distractions of the world. We often think of it as the other way around. That scrolling through our phone or streaming our favorite show is what interrupts our creative thinking. Instead, Libby brings to light that creativity is a gift of mercy that we need to be interrupted by in order to live transformative lives and write new algorithms of beauty for a world hungry for wonder.

Facebook

Instagram

Patreon

Music by Dear Gravity

https://deargravity.net

Host, Libby John, discusses art and the promise of the new creation. With each creative act, we sow into the beauty of the earth and participate in God's promise to make all things new. We bear the distinct signature of a creative God with the gift of our imagination and creativity. It's when our imagination wanes that we get discouraged and apathetic and forget our true identity as bearers of beauty. This episode talks about our divine purpose as innately creative human beings and that there's always hope of a new beginning.

https://www.instagram.com/artandfaithpodcast/

https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast

Authors, Scott Erickson and Justin McRoberts join us to talk about their newest book, May It Be So: 40 Days Through the Lord's Prayer. Scott's powerful, contemplative imagery is paird with Justin's, distilled thoughts and prayers designed to help us become aware of our conversations with God.

Justin is an author, musician, and retreat leader. He is also the curator and host of The @Sea Podcast. He lives in Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and 2 kids. For more information go to

www.justinmcroberts.com

Scott is a touring painter and performance artist who mixes autobiography, biblical narrative and aesthetics to create art that speaks to our deepest experiences. He and his wife, Holly, live in Portland with their three children. For more information go to

www.scottericksonart.com

Returning guest, David Taylor, professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, theologian and pastor, just released his latest book, Glimpses of a New Creation-Worship and the Formative Power of the Arts. I invited him to talk about the chapter he wrote specifically on the kinetic arts as part two of the podcast's mini series on dance and the human body. We discuss the conflict and negative perspectives church culture has towards dance and how embodying worship is essential to our God given humanity.

You can find David's book at:

https://www.amazon.com/Glimpses-New-Creation-Worship-Formative/dp/0802876099/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IQ17MIZEBOL5&keywords=glimpses+of+the+new+creation&qid=1567490597&s=gateway&sprefix=glimpses+of%2Caps%2C426&sr=8-1

Read more of his writings and thoughts at:

http://artspastor.blogspot.com

Phillip Attmore has been dancing, singing and acting since age 3. He has shared the stage and screen with the likes of Hugh Jackman, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Sir Richard Harris, Leslie Uggams, Ben Vereen, Bette Midler, Savion Glover, Gregory Hines and many more.

He is a three-time Astaire Award winner, ACCA Award winner, Playbill "Breakout Performance" Award winner and NAACP Theatre Award nominee, and he has been recognized by the sixth season of Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" as one of America's "Top 20" dancers. In addition, Phillip has appeared as a guest artist on several television and variety shows including "The Ellen DeGeneres Show", "The Today Show", "Maya and Marty" and "The Tony Awards".

Phillip is based in NYC but travels all over the world as an actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, poet, writer, director, creative consultant and speaker. He is currently performing in 42nd St. and receiving national acclaim for his role as Billy Lawlor.

https://phillipattmore.com

Shawn Smucker is an author who hails from Lancaster, PA. He began his writing career with ghost writing and co-writing for others. His first book he co-wrote was for his aunt, to tell her story of founding Auntie Anne's soft pretzels. Eventually he felt encouraged to write his own novels as well and he released the first one, The Day the Angels Fell in 2014. A couple of books came after that and Shawn just released his latest novel, Light From Distant Stars. It tells the story of a boy grown up to be a man who suddenly loses his father which bring back his memories of childhood. The book causes you to wonder how accurate your memory of reality truly is.

It is now available for ordering, visit:

http://shawnsmucker.com/my-books/

For bonus content with Shawn, visit:

https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast

Carmelita Greco is a designer of her own line of clothing and also founder of Luz Art gallery in the L.A. area. Luz Art is a fine art gallery described as exploring the connections between culture, contemporary thought and divinity. Carmelita had a desire to create a space that could be an advocate for sacred art and dialogue. Through unique exhibitions and gatherings, Luz is able to be that for its surrounding community. Carmelita has a passion to follow God's leading in bold ways through her creativity and with what's next for the gallery.

Check out the artists they feature here:

https://www.luzart.com

For Carmelita's original designs visit:

http://carmelita.co

Anthony Vasquez tells about the years he spent in India where he co-facilitated an International Artist Residency and worked with the organization Art for Change. Through his experiences he discovered his passion for mentoring other artists in being culture makers. Anthony talks about the daily rhythms of tea and community building through creating art alongside the marginalized and the humility it can teach us all when we share each other's experiences.

His paintings reflect stunning imagery that mix reality and the unseen to emit strong emotive experiences.

https://www.anthonyvasquezoncanvas.com

Kristen Cochran is a visual artist based in Dallas. She experiments with materials she describes as antiheroic such as old work garments that have been formed to reflect the work of its owner's daily life. Kristen talks about her creative process, her versatile use of materials such as clay, copper, bread and garments and exploring the concept of work.

http://kristencochran.com