By Donna Johnson and Karen Hyams
Art: The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. ‘(Oxford Dictionary)
“The foremost reason that artists create, and the rest of us value their art, is because art forms a priceless living bridge between the everyday psychology of our minds and the universal spirit of humanity…….This is the thing: art comes from the heart and, likewise, speaks to the heart; but this asks something of the witness, too, a kind of emotional and spiritual sensitivity with which to receive the generous gift of the artist.” (Larry Culliford, Spiritual Wisdom for Secular Times)
We are blessed to have writers, musicians and artists who encourage one another, who collaborate, and who contribute to Sunday Service every week. Knowing what music you love, what captured your eye while you were hiking, or what stories you have to tell lets us see you. These shared insights enrich our worship services with art’s “emotional power” and ability to help us “bridge to the universal spirit of humanity.” The creative gifts we share are making new connections, inspiring others to express themselves and share their own perspectives, and contributing to our identity as a community. That is a ministry.
For the past months, we have been using the art of WUUC members and friends during the service to enhance our meditation and musical experiences. Now, we are also sharing this art as part of a slide show in the 10 minutes before the service starts each week – the Zoom version of the art that we used to enjoy in the foyer when we were having services in the sanctuary. Thank you to those who have sent in their work. As creative people, we get to show who we are, what we are obsessed with, how we are doing in the moment we are creating, and what matters to us.
Visual Arts Ministry
This re-forming team has a new focus now that our gallery is virtual. The participation of our congregation is unprecedented and inspiring. If you’d like to work on this exciting project with creative people (who are always fun) send a message to Marlene Katz mkatz@wuuc.org
How to Contribute images and video
Best way: Upload files to the graphics folder in Drive, make sure they are named correctly. You can edit names in Drive after uploading.
Other way: Email graphic files to Marlene Katz, mkatz@wuuc.org
To Contribute Music, contact Brad Hull, bhull@wuuc.org
What we are looking for:
Original Photos: Nature, Landscape, moody, inspiring, calming, pets, people, coffee, funny
Sometimes we’ll send out a request for a theme.
Original Artwork: any medium, any PG subject but we are especially fond of kid artwork, pet portraits, and kid pet portraits.
Photographing artwork is tricky, try to avoid shadows and glare, and get as close as you can. Make sure the image is big enough; a general guide is Horizontal (landscape) – 1,024 x 512 Vertical (portrait) – 800 x 1,200 Most smartphones do fine.
What happens next:
New files organized
We will use them when it is appropriate for the context. We may contact you asking for permission to use your image in a graphic for church. We don’t know when we’ll use your contribution, but we hope we can use them all.
Credits and Releases:
Your original work only
If you wish to be credited, name your files with your name & the title.
Khyams frog.jpg is a good example.
Make sure you have everyone’s permission to publish photos that they are in. Photo release forms are required for children.