InterVarsity Graduate & Faculty Conference

Santa Barbara, CA

What a treat to be in beautiful Santa Barbara working with the brilliant, academic, faith seeking folks at the InterVarsity conference for Faculty and Graduate Students. I created a special workshop exploring symbols and patterns based on a passage of the bible. I guided participants through a 3 step process to visualize, verbalize, and illustrate their ideas. Participants created their own unique symbol by connecting personal and biblical narratives. Participants then added their marks to the mural and the finished piece turned out truly vibrant and amazing. This piece was constructed on site, painted on a special durable paper substrate, then reassembled and displayed at the InterVarsity Headquarters in Philadelphia PA.

In this piece, I was inspired by the movement of wind and water. We sense the shape of the wind without seeing it. We observe the rolling and swirling of waves appearing and disappearing. These forms are part of a visual vocabulary that echoes the animation in my own spirit. Besides the creation of a beautiful, interesting work of art made by individuals, another benefit is the relational aspect of working side-by-side on a creative act together. Getting to know someone in a relaxed atmosphere where your focus is on the art, allows your conversation to also be relaxed, playful, curious and natural. It's difficult to strike up a conversation with a stranger or group of strangers. Working on a mural together has the power to invite dialogue, discussion, and free flowing conversation between people. I love it.

Special thanks to InterVarsity and their desire to provide rest and rejuvenation to those committed to their faith and their academic fields.