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EMBRACING THE TRANSFORMATIONAL ROLE OF THE ARTS through ArtSpirit
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“All arts create symbols for a level of reality which cannot be reached in any other way. . . In the creative work we encounter reality in a dimension which is closed to us without such works.”
Paul Tillich, 20th-century German theologian
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Artistic creativity in its many mediums is deeply valued as a force for transformation by the Episcopal Church in Wyoming, toward healing our world and creatively fostering peace, harmony, wholeness and wellness in all its forms, both with each other and with the earth. We have therefore established ArtSpirit as the arts initiative of the Episcopal Church in Wyoming, to explore and nurture the relationship between spirituality and the arts, believing creativity profoundly expresses and illustrates the nature of our Creator. We believe that the arts are wellsprings of the spiritual journey, and we proactively employ the creative arts (visual art, music, dance, drama, and film) to enhance our experience and understanding of both the Transcendent and of each other. All our artistic activities, both at the Diocesan and parish levels, will fall under ArtSpirit.
ArtSpirit will do this by developing, curating, coordinating, and hosting artistic initiatives to stimulate discussion, dialogue and education, and spiritual exploration - such as art exhibitions, festivals, concerts, screenings, readings, dance, and numerous associated art events, including symposiums, forums and talks.
Learn below about some of our forthcoming arts initiatives.
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Brummett Echohawk (1922-2006), Sacred Pipe, Charcoal on Scratchboard |
Restoring our World through a Sacred Harmony with the earth and each other |
ArtSpirit’s upcoming touring exhibition of work by 15 contemporary artists from Indigenous American tribes traditionally based in and around the Great Plains is titled GROUNDED - Restoring our World through a Sacred Harmony with the earth and each other. Curated by noted Northern Arapaho artist Robert Martinez, and will seek to artistically inspire our imaginations about our need to be “grounded” in our relationship with all of creation: the earth and its wildlife, each other and ourselves. It will tour key art venues in six cities in Wyoming (Lander, Casper, Cheyenne, Jackson, Worland, Rock Springs) where we have Episcopal churches. Following the Wyoming tour, the plan is for the exhibition to be showcased in two other key venues within the US, after which it will be exhibited in the United Kingdom and in the Middle East.
The exhibition will serve as a catalyst for each hosting art venue and local Episcopal church to develop a variety of events and programs tailored to the specific needs of their community to stimulate discussion, dialogue and education around the exhibition’s theme, to promote further understanding and widen engagement with the exhibition.
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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
“We’re Here. We’re Strong.”
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An Interview with noted Northern Arapaho artist ROBERT MARTINEZ |
Bishop Paul-Gordon Chandler had the opportunity to interview the highly acclaimed Northern Arapaho artist Robert Martinez, who is based in Riverton and the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, and who is the Artistic Curator of the GROUNDED exhibition. |
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Bishop Paul-Gordon Chandler in front of Robert Martinez’s triptych at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. |
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Bison hide painting from the Edith May Adams collection |
MUSEUM OF THE SACRED CIRCLE |
Plans are underway for the development of a museum to house the Edith May Adams Collection of Northern Arapaho artifacts |
We are busy working on the initial development of a museum in Ethete at St. Michael’s Circle, an Episcopal Church property, to house the Edith May Adams Collection, a collection of over 250 Northern Arapaho cultural artifacts – from beadwork, to headdresses, to bison hide paintings. The collection was given by Edith May Adams, a deaconess in the Episcopal Church, in the late 1940s “to perpetuate a knowledge of the history and handiwork of the Arapahoe Tribe.” The current Coolidge House on St. Michael’s Circle will be renovated and remodeled to become the Museum of the Sacred Circle. In addition to showcasing the Edith May Adams Collection, the museum will also house a contemporary art gallery for rotating exhibits with Native American artists. |
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Melissa Strickler, Rev. John Roberts, 2022 |
An Artistic Tribute to Rev. John Roberts
by artist Melissa Strickler |
Lander-based artist Melissa Strickler was commissioned to write an icon of Rev. John Roberts, the remarkable Welsh priest and missionary who ministered for 66 years (1883-1949) among the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.
Read a marvelous article by Melissa Strickler about her experience of writing the icon – see: Embracing My New Friend.
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Guadalupe Barajas, Chief Washakie, 2022, clay mold |
A New Sculpture of Chief Washakie |
A special arts initiative between St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and the City of Cheyenne |
St. Mark’s Church in Cheyenne, the oldest church in Wyoming, is making a strategic artistic contribution to the City of Cheyenne’s “Capital Avenue Bronze Project.” The project for the mayor’s office is to have bronze sculptures of historic Wyoming figures created by local sculptors on every corner of the Capital Avenue between the Depot and the Capital building. St. Mark’s Church accepted the challenge and decided on Chief Washakie, the renowned chief of the Eastern Shoshone tribe on the Wind River Reservation, and a good friend of Rev. John Roberts, the distinguished Welsh Episcopal priest.
Cheyenne-based sculptor Guadalupe Barajas was selected to create the sculpture of Chief Washakie, which, when cast into bronze, will be placed on the corner of 19th and Capital Avenue in Cheyenne. Mr. Barajas is a native of Wyoming, and received his B.A. and Master degrees in Fine Arts from the Art Institute of Chicago. He has received numerous awards, and his highly acclaimed sculptures are found throughout the state. To see more of Mr. Barajas’ public art, visit: www.barajasstudio.com/art/public-art/
A special dedication ceremony will be held this summer when the sculpture is positioned into its permanent location.
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Upcoming Art Exhibitions
and Open Houses at TAC |
You are invited to three open house gatherings with regional artists held at the TAC Retreat Center Art Studio in Cody, WY (34 Thomas the Apostle Rd)
*Shirley Ann Shirley - May 29, 2022 - Open House: 6:30-8 pm – Plein Air Impressionism
Shirley describes herself as an "artist loving pastel, watercolor and acrylics using bold colors to express the wonder I feel." Plein air impressionism and watercolor from photographs is Shirley's muse in her home town of Billings, MT. She is a part of the Beartooth Artists Guild and frequents Cody through the Cody Art League.
*Linda Franson - June 12 - Open House: 6:30-8 pm - Oil on Canvas
Franson is an oil painter from Billings, MT. She seeks to articulate what she sees in Montana through her love for oil painting. She prefers painting in plein air, allowing natural lighting to inform the work.
*Stephanie Rose - October 6 - Open House: 6:30-8 pm - Abstract Oil Painting
About her work, award-winning Cody based artist Stephanie Rose says, "I live in Wyoming… My paintings are songs about the swiftly changing and sublime nature of this vast land, and to the tenacious spirit it engenders.”
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ART + WILD: A WELLNESS RETREAT - JUNE 9-13, 2022
with Artist Facilitator Erin Brindle
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This unique retreat is focused on exploring wilderness art initiatives. The artistic encounters are in the Beartooths, Absaroka and Big Horn Mountains. Some are to actual museums with trail extensions, including the famous Tippet Rise Art Center, Ucross Foundation and the Brinton Museum. Erin Brindle, originating from Washington D.C., is the artistic facilitator. Cost: $300 - scholarships offered. There is also a discount for clergy and church staff. For more information, see: Art + Wild |
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