December 2014  

Spotlight

Welcome
to "Connection Spotlight" where every other month we spotlight a ministry in our network of churches and ministries.  Check out each issue to hear stories of churches helping churches, pastors helping pastors, and ministries advancing the mission of sharing the Gospel in creative ways.  You will be blessed and maybe even a little inspired.   
Call to Art

 by Linda Spiars and Jan Graham, Desert Springs Community Church  

 

You begin sharing the "good news" with family, friends, or neighbors, and they quickly change the subject and start talking about their version of good news-their acquisition of a 50 inch flat screen tv or a recent trip to Belize. How can you avoid those detours and turn those stumbling blocks into stepping stones that pave the way for a conversation about the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ? There is an easier route--bring them to a Call to Art event to start that conversation.

 

Call to Art brings Christian artists and the community together. 
Established and emerging artists share their passion for Christ and craft discussing the 
inspiration for their paintings, sketches, and photographs.   An evangelistic team is available to gently and compassionately engage in a Christ-centered salvation directed discussion as requested. As guests savor the conversation and art in a warm and inviting atmosphere, they can sample an array of desserts and coffee and opt to create an interactive art project .    

 

Call to Art was conceived in 2013 when three artists agreed that many exhibition venues and themes did not reflect their perspective or faith. Linda Spiars wondered, "Where is God in art?" The three friends agreed to approach Steve Engram, senior pastor of Desert Springs Community Church, for his help and support in starting an art ministry for the Christian artists of the community to share their art and their faith.

 

With his blessing, Call to Art launched its first show in December 2013 with eighteen artists followed by a spring show the following year. The third show, A Season of Grace, presented thirty-two artists and over fifty pieces of art this October. The show featured international artist, Penny Myers.  

 

Call to Art is both a ministry to the community and to the artists themselves. It provides Christian artists opportunity, fellowship, encouragement, and growth. The goal of the gallery art shows gives Christians an opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to come to church in a nonthreatening environment to see art. As they walk around the room they see works of art and photography and talk to artists about their work. Each piece has a testimony or statement card attached. The artists have copies to hand out to guests to give them something to think about later.  It's easy to walk around the room and look at art, talk to artists, read the statements, and participate in interactive projects. There are tables set up and with complimentary coffee and deserts. It's natural to sit with friends or new acquaintances and say, "So what do you think?" or "Which is your favorite?" By talking about the art and having the testimonies, guests have easily opened a door to talk about God. Call to Art has an evangelistic team available who can sit with guests and help gently guide the conversation to talk about salvation or other spiritual concerns.

 

When people view the art, they see all levels from beginner to advanced--each with a testimony statement. What they never see are big price tags-there are no price tags. This is because none of the art is for sale at the show.  First, last, and always, the mission of Call to Art is to use art as a ministry tool to give people an opportunity to hear more about God. However, if attendees want to acquire a particular piece, they are free to contact the artists apart from the show.    

 

In addition to sharing with the community, the artists themselves draw together as a community and work on group projects at monthly meetings at Desert Springs Community Church. There the artists share their current projects to get helpful feedback. Additionally, they learn techniques and skills from each other.  

Cheryl Pennes,(right) winner of the drawing for a free painting -"I loved the show.  I was surprised to see how creative everybody was."

 

Call to Art would like more churches to be involved    

First, they would ask for churches to help by communicating about the ministry to their congregations. Second, the pastors, staff, and members are invited to come to the next show and experience it in person. See the art, listen to the conversations, and feel the excitement in the room. 

 

In the future, it would be a natural progression to take the shows to other churches interested in having an art show to reach their local community. Linda Spiars remarked, "We want to keep the artists together as one community that works together. We are not selling church. We are selling God and using our art to promote Him."    

 

As a ministry, Call to Art offers an innovative approach to evangelism. It opens the door for others to begin a conversation about God.  It is unique in the way it has brought together Christian artists from across the West Valley and beyond to work together for a unified purpose-to share the "good news."  Join us for our next show on April 17,  at Desert Springs Community Church in Goodyear.    

 

For more information about attending or exhibiting or seeing a video of the last show, visit http://www.calltoart.com.   

     

To put the Spotlight on your ministry or event, email us at [email protected].