This post comes with a request for comments and thoughts. I’m envisioning a fellowship of artists – both the outwardly artistic and the inwardly inclined – artists who are conscious of the religious and spiritual dimensions of true art. I find such art in very scattered places, and in surprising expressions! This is an “in-process” concern of mine, and what I am posting below is a first draft. If you have any sympathy with what you read, please comment and give me your thoughts.
Mission Statement of Fellowship of Consecrated Artists
God gives to everyone a hunger for the good, the true and the beautiful. God gives to artists a particular sensitivity to the good, the true and the beautiful – and to some among artists, He gives the ability to express these things in surprising and penetrating ways. The artist, then, receives with his gift a responsibility: “to whom much is given, of him much will be required.” (Lk 12:48)
The artist, like all men, must choose – what to say, what to express, what to write or paint or compose, and for whom, and to what end? The consecrated artist returns his art first and foremost and above all to God: the unique Creator and Artist above all. First art is done for God, then in His name, for others. The consecrated artist consecrates his art to the purposes of God, echoing His eternal creativity. To God the artist is responsible.
For what is the artist responsible? The artist can, by personal expressions of his gift, illuminate the darkness that oppresses so many in the world, with a luminance that in fact is of God: the light of the good, the true and the beautiful. In this way, the artist is an evangelist of Good News, wakening men and women to a perhaps forgotten or lost nobility, dignity and value.
What are the proper subjects for true art? All in creation is created good, and the good is beautiful, and truth is found in every moment sustained by God. Man, broken in sin, can distort this creation in both his actions and his perceptions. Yet such darkness is not our vocation, nor our rightful destination. True art is a sign-post pointing home, whether plainly or hidden as in a parable, whether whisper-gentle or prophet-strong.
I envision a studio/gallery here or somewhere where such intentional art can be displayed, where people can see or hear the works, and talk and share and grow together on our common journey.
What do you think?
Thomas
Dear Thomas,
Let me express my thoughts especially on your conclusion:
” … True art is a sign-post pointing home, whether plainly or hidden as in a parable, whether whisper-gentle or prophet-strong.
I envision a studio/gallery here or somewhere where such intentional art can be displayed, where people can see or hear the works, and talk and share and grow together on our common journey.”
I agree whole-heartedly that true art is indeed a “sign-post pointing home”. Each time I see beauty, or hear beauty or experience the beauty of another human person I am reminded of Him Who is All in all. The fellowship of persons consecrated in His Love who might come together in a studio/gallery to share their creative gifts in various ways seems like a good idea to me. I will continue to pray and ponder this and I look forward to reading some additional comments from others on this blog.
By: Deborah on October 12, 2010
at 10:57 am
Dear Thomas,
I think you make a beautiful suggestion about creating a venue for artistic expression to share with others a visual or verbal expression of one’s experience of/with or thoughts about our Creator, God, the ultimate artist, from whom we receive all creative inclination. Where/how do you suggest we create and submit these expressions?
By: Lesley on October 16, 2010
at 4:32 pm
Hello Lesley –
Good question! I don’t know how to do this – I’ve only begun to wonder about it. I think the need and the value are real, but how to do it? I don’t know yet. Let’s continue to think and pray and seek, and maybe the Lord will show an open door.
Thomas
By: Thomas on October 16, 2010
at 5:53 pm
Hi Thomas
I just found your statement as I was searching for fellows who were also consecrated. Hopefully your desire for this “so necessary community” still remains in your heart!
Being Art, The Expression of The Creator… this fellowship should move forward!
Luigi Pirandello once wrote: “Six characters in search of an author” but, we can write a better one: “Many artists in search of the One and only Author, God”.
I am definitively, one of “those many”. I am an artist consecrated to “Jesus through Mary” (Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort). I believe a fellowship like this already exists in France and probably in other countries. At least in Paris, they have a Priest “assigned” to the artist’s community.
When any of my talents, as you said in your statement, can light someone’s life in this journey, I say Yes. Therefore, I am offering to you my prayers and my help if wanted.
If it is God’s will, we can walk and find that door… wide open. I have no doubt that Blessed Mother has already done some work for this Unique Fellowship.
God Bless!
By: Susi Rivera on January 17, 2011
at 5:21 pm
Hello Susi,
Thank you for your post, and the desire in you to offer and use your art for the spiritual good of others, and for the glory of our Lord. I have been and continue to be in prayer for guidance in this desire….
Prayer, and listening.
Blessings,
Thomas
By: Thomas on January 17, 2011
at 7:15 pm