Artistic Statement
The purpose of my work as an artist is to create an alternative and contemporary religious imagery through imaginative, stimulating, and spiritually uplifting, though not sectarian, art appropriate to the present time.
I am primarily a symbolist and colorist and seek to explore the mystery of the divine through art.
I consider my work as an artist to be the communication of important ideas, thoughts, feelings and emotions, and to be my spiritual vocation. I draw on figures, texts, and ideas from my own and other religious traditions as subjects of interpretation as well as reflection on contemporary life, interior landscapes, the natural world and cosmic environment.
I use various textile techniques, including weaving, batik, painting on silk, fabric collage, and free-form embroidery. I have also worked extensively with large-scale papercuts and with mosaics. All of these media and techniques appear in my installations for worship.
Brief History
I began my work in Atlanta in the 1980s, using textiles to create feminist-themed religious art. From 1995 to 2001 I was a Resident Artist in the Theology and Arts Program at Andover Newton Theological School, where I maintained my studio, Wisdom’s Table, in The Meeting House, an historic building renovated to house the school’s Center for Theology and the Arts.
I have studied with artists in Milwaukee; Atlanta; Boston; Asheville, NC; Heidelberg, Germany; and Bangalore, India. Since my retirement from Andover Newton, I have continued my work based at my home studio in western North Carolina. At the age of 70, I retired from an active artistic emphasis. I returned to the study of piano, after a hiatus of 50+ years, and continued that for four years. I also have been very active in the Haywood Community Chorus (now the Haywood Choral Society), where I served as chair of the Steering Committee for three years.
More recently, I have explored the Japanese technique, Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with veins of silver and gold. The motto of Kintsugi is “More beautiful for having been broken.” I also continue to occasionally create liturgical settings and art as inspiration strikes.
Exhibitions
For over 30 years, my work has been widely exhibited in the US in educational institutions, galleries, and churches. I have also had exhibitions in Germany and South Africa. Many of my present installations appear in the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville, NC.
Work in Collections and Publications
My works are in private and institutional collections in the United States and Germany. The major work, “Song of Justice,” is permanently installed in the lobby of the Bethea Welcome Center, Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, Lake Junaluska, NC.
Another large commissioned work, “Heart of Light,” hangs in the Durham Reading Room of the Pitts Theology Library, Emory University. The multi-panel tapestry, “Extraordinary Time I,” hangs in the quarters of Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School.
Other works are at the Needham Congregational Church, Needham, Massachusetts, and at Andover Newton Seminary, where my work has also been featured in various school publications. A complete catalogue of my work is available here online.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Education
Bachelor of Music, 1962. University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon
Master of Science (Management), 1984. Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Arts Training
Annette Hirsch, Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Drawing
Susan Power, Atlanta: Painting on Silk
Sheila Raj, Bangalore, India: Batik
Jyoti Sahi, Bangalore, India: Symbolism
Volkshochschule, Heidelberg, Germany: Water color
Volkshochschule, Heidelberg, Germany: Painting on Silk
Isabella Asratyan, Atlanta: Tapestry Weaving
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA: Painting
Organizational Memberships
Asian Christian Art Association
Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and the Worship Arts
Exhibit History
February 1988 – Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
March 1988 – Center for New Beginnings, Dahlonega, GA
October 1988 – Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
February 1989 – Brenau College, Religious Emphasis Week, Gainesville, GA
June 1989 – Seven Stages Theatre Gallery, Atlanta, GA
August 1989 – Unitarian Church of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
October 1989 – Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
February 1990 – Central Congregational Church, Atlanta, GA
April 1990 – “Rethinking the Sacred Image,” New Visions Gallery, Atlanta, GA
September 1990 – Center for New Beginnings, Dahlonega, GA
October 1990 – Women’s Week, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
November 1990 – Briarcliff United Methodist Church, Atlanta, GA
March 1991 – Cornelia United Methodist Church, Cornelia, GA
April 1991 – Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA
May through August 1991 – Potter’s House Church, Washington, D.C.
September 1991 – United Theological College, Bangalore, India
December 1991 – Friedenskirche, Heidelberg, Germany
January 1992 – St. Phillipus – St. Jacobi Kirche, Oekumenisches Centrum, Darmstadt-Kranichstein, Germany
May 1992 – Kirche am Markt, Heidelberg, Germany
June 1992 – National Women’s Conference, Montreat Retreat Center, Montreat, NC
November 1992 – First United Methodist Church, Valparaiso, IN
September 1993 – Kanuga Retreat Center, Hendersonville, NC
January 1994 – Central Congregational Church, Atlanta, GA
March 1994 – Glenn Memorial United Methodist Women, Atlanta, GA
May & June 1994 – Main Street Gallery, Clayton, GA
May & June 1994 -The Village Weaver, Dillard, GA
September 1994 – Unitarian Church of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
April 1995 – First Baptist Church of Newton, Newton Centre, MA
October 1995 – The Meeting House, Andover Newton Theological School, Newton Centre, MA
July 1996 – The Little Gallery, Haywood County Arts Council, Waynesville, NC
March 1997 – Needham Congregational Church, Needham, MA
May & June 1997 – Weston UCC Church, Weston, MA
October 1997 – United Parish of Auburndale, Auburndale, MA
March through June 1998 – “Covenant and Community,” Hebrew College and Andover Newton Theological School, Newton Centre, MA
July & August 1998 – Jubilee! Community, Asheville, NC
February 1999 – Rondebosch United Church, Rondebosch (Cape Town), South Africa
April & May 2001 – Retrospective Exhibition at the Meeting House, Andover Newton Theological School, Newton Centre, MA
November 2002 – Mosaic exhibition at The Little Gallery of the Haywood Country Arts Council, Waynesville, NC
December 2003, 2004, 2005 – Annual exhibitions at Holy Ground Retreat Ministries Center, Asheville, NC
August 2006 – Mosaic exhibition at Outer Spaces Gallery, Waynesville, NC
February 2007 – Exhibits for “Textile Intersections” at Gallery 86 of the Haywood County Arts Council
June 2009 – Worship setting for The Fellowship of United Methodist in Music and Worship Arts, Lake Junaluska
August 2010 – “For the Love of Color,” a retirement exhibition at Gallery 86 of the Haywood County Arts Council, Waynesville, NC
Since 2010 I have continued to create seasonal liturgical works for First United Methodist Church, Waynesville, and Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, Lake Junaluska, NC.