by Pamela Alderman My dear friend, Priscilla, lives across the country from me. But sometimes, we exercise “together”—via headsets and smartphones—while she walks her pup in her neighborhood on the East Coast, and I amble through my neighborhood in the Midwest. Recently, while talking on one of our walks, Priscilla texted me one of her… Continue Reading
Category Archives: civablog
Jesus, the most creative person who ever lived
by Michael Winters What did Jesus make during his earthly ministry? I like to ask this question in a group context and see what answers come to the surface. People usually first think of the most tangible or art-like expressions of making. Someone will point out he was a carpenter (Mark 6:3). Someone will remember… Continue Reading
Go Forth (again)
by Mary Barton Nees I was awakened one evening long ago. My young friend wanted to talk about Abraham, her Patriarch. I listened out of respect, surprised by her wonder, startled actually by her belief. This was a fairy tale to me. But she held onto it as if it were true. We took many… Continue Reading
Epiphany Art Project: Revelation Under Our Feet
by Laura Tabbut During the craziness of 2020, Justin and I served with a nonprofit organization that provides residents of declining neighborhoods with grants and 0% interest loans to assist community members in the restoration of their historic homes. Our current project focuses on restoring the sidewalks in our neighborhood. Many of our sidewalks have… Continue Reading
Balance and Harmony: Remembering As We Anticipate
by Scott Crosby Christmas is a time for me to indulge my perspective on the “already, but not yet”. In my personal realm this brings memories of past Christmases to the forefront of my mind and emotions. The Christmases of my childhood were cold, snowy, and celebrated around fireplaces and wood stoves. It was a… Continue Reading
The Beauty of Life
by Dianne B. Collard, D.Miss My journey from being a missionary with no artistic background to serving as both the Europe Director for Artists in Christian Testimony Int. and the Founder/Director of ArtsCharlotte, is one that could only have been borne in the imagination and sovereignty of our Creator God. My life was changed by… Continue Reading
Weight, Beauty and Hope
by Margaret Bustard And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 ESV) I stood in the Medieval Sculpture Hall two weeks ago at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. An exhibition called “Crossroads” had opened all the way back in March, but because… Continue Reading
Reflecting on Virtues
by Scott Crosby “This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it” (Psalm 118:24.) Fellow CIVA board member, Steve Prince, opened CIVA’s Kitchen Table Talks: Authority and Influence in America with this verse and call to worship. The psalm extols God’s steadfast love toward His creation and calls… Continue Reading
Better Balance
by Karen Brummund In early August, Scott Crosby reflected on the practice of balance in both American and Chinese landscape paintings. Drawing out how two different times, cultures, and styles share a similar human longing. Balance as a practice rather than the subject resonates in my own studio where I’ve largely spent time wrestling with… Continue Reading
When Things Fall Apart
by Christine Lee Smith This summer, after over a year of planning, working, preparing, thinking, naming and finally installing my MFA thesis body of work, it dawned on me what this body of work is ultimately about. I stood in the gallery, mask on, stunned into silence. In January 2020 I finished photographing my 4×5… Continue Reading