Sacred Expressions: Journeys in Faith & Art

Creator. Creating. Creativity. Creation.

April 12, 2008
Cherry Street Artisan
111 9th St., Columbia
Panelists: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Reception: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Performances: 7:30-11 p.m.
Free
• See flier
• See photos from the event

Local artists and scholars explore religion, the arts and community through performances and discussions, in an evening of creative expression. The event features musicians, poets, dancers and other artists sharing how spiritual journeys inspire and give meaning to their creations.

Panel
3:30-5:30 p.m.
Scott Cairns - Poet, MU Center for Literary Arts director, English professor, University of Missouri-Columbia
Justin Arft - Religious studies scholar, visual and musical artist, University of Missouri-Columbia
Michael Marcum - Metal sculpture artist
David Clark - Moderator, gallery coordinator, The Cherry Street Artisan
Askia Bilal - Muslim artist, Smithton Middle School art instructor

Reception 5:30-7:30pm
Refreshments catered by The Cherry Street Artisan

Performances
7:30 p.m.–11 p.m.

7:30-7:50 p.m. Cindi Elliott – Traditional American Indian storyteller, visual and performing artist, director of Cultural Diversity Education, Westminster College

7:50-8:15 p.m. Adithi Vellore, Sangeetha Sharma, Prema Srinivasan, Mythili Ramchandran and Maya Ramchandran - Classical Indian dancers from Shanthi Mandir Hindu temple

8:15-8:45 p.m. Jane Accurso and Dierik Leonhard of “Ironweed” –Bluegrass and gospel music performers

8:45-9:30 p.m. Caleb Travers, alt-country singer-songwriter

9:30-11 p.m. Poetry Jam - The Katalyzt’s, Bahai’-inspired spiritual rap artists and Ray Ronci, Zen Buddhist poet, English professor, University of Missouri-Columbia

* The Jam is open to sign-ups

Religion and the arts both inhabit realms in which the transcendent and the mundane meet, queries form and mysteries are explored. Faith and the arts both engage questions of meaning, values, beauty and truth. The arts can express religious ideals, challenge assumptions of faith, explore contradictions and enrich spirits. The arts are also a place of mystery, where creativity and the sacred come together. Some artists invite divine inspiration, or feel they are guided spiritually in creating new realities – becoming vessels as well as creators.

But do religion and the arts also collide? If so, what is the creative result? This event explores how authentic faith creates meaningful, vital expression in a pluralistic society and how that process enriches our community. Join artists and scholars as they explore the complex relationship between religion and the arts in a free public event. For information, see http://corp.missouri.edu or www.cherrystreetartisan.com, or call 882-2770 or 817-3274.

Sponsored by The Cherry Street Artisan and MU’s Center on Religion & the Professions.